Artist Spotlight: Eric Wixon at Flavor's One Year Anniversary

Considering the vast multitude of artists circulating our city these days, we've come to the realization that sometimes it's a bit difficult to catch one thats really got that special "je ne sais quoi". However, much to our excitement, this was not at all the case with artist Eric Wixon, whom we had the pleasure of watching doing what he does best at our most recent event, Flavor Del Mar's One Year Anniversary Party.

It’s true, just a quick glance through Eric's collection of quirky, whimsical and thought-provoking paintings and we knew we had struck gold with this one-- and we’re not the only ones who think so, either. From showcasing his work at the Oceanside Museum of Art, painting a mural in Tijuana, having extensive coverage in San Diego City Beat and even providing the cover art for the Union Tribune's weekly art insert Night and Day, we realize that Eric's artwork has made quite an impression.

Inspired by his artwork and struck with a curiosity to learn more about the mastermind behind it all, we sat down with Eric Wixon to delve deeper into his artistic background.

DSD: When did you decide to start painting professionally, and why?

Eric Wixon: I've only been working as a full-time artist for a couple months but I've taken it very seriously since I finished college back in 2001-- I'm lucky enough to know it's what i'm meant to do but I wasn't making enough money as an artist to quit part-time work in the past.

DSD: What are some notable places or publications where your art has been displayed/published thus far?

Eric Wixon: Most recently, I participated in a show at the Oceanside Museum of Art in October, and I painted a wall in Tijuana with the Canadian art collective en masse in November. I currently have work available for purchase at Alexander Salazar Fine Art, and my work has been well covered by San Diego City Beat, including two covers and a full editorial. 944 magazine featured me as 1 of 5 artists in their art and architecture issue, Night and Day used my work for its cover, and nowadays online avenues seem as important as print so check out sezio and we love creativity. 

DSD: What is your favorite piece that you've created (if you can pick just one) and why?

Eric Wixon: That's a tough one-- many of them have been my favorite at different times. As of right now I’ll go with "Enlightened by Introspective Visions"...it has a stoic polar bear (my power animal) sitting there with all these lines of color coming from the center wrapping around it...I’m in a transitional point in my life that focuses heavily on gaining a better sense of awareness. 

DSD: I see you like to stick to a more abstract style of painting-- would you or have you experimented with realism? If not, what is the reason you find yourself deterred from it?

Eric Wixon: I dabble in realism from time to time but I find the process less exciting-- back in college I did a series of paintings that argued what we conventionally think of as realism is obviously nothing more than artifice....so I did "action paintings" that were "real" in that the painting was a direct result of an action...i.e. I'd have people breakdance on a canvas after dipping their hands and feet in paint or I'd ollie down a set of stairs on my skateboard landing on a canvas that was freshly painted...things of that nature. I was more process based and conceptual minded during my college years. Now, when I say I dabble in realism from time to time I mean I paint figuratively or other recognizable imagery as it appears to look, every once in a while.

DSD: What exactly do you find yourself trying to communicate through your art? Is there a common theme, or does it change with each piece?

Eric Wixon: I'm not trying to communicate anything in particular through my art, I think common themes exist throughout the work as well as changes from piece to piece but ultimately I just make the work and leave interpretation to the viewer-- "Anyone who takes art seriously as a finely tuned mental tool will readily credit it's products with containing more than the relevant parties can ever explain at any one time" - Bice Curiger

DSD: I see you predominantly paint people-- what is it about people that inspires you the most? Rather than, say, a landscape or some other scenic image

Eric Wixon: I'd like to think that somehow my paintings are a culmination of everything I've experienced thus far...I guess I'm more drawn to people because of the complexities involved in attempting to understand human behavior but nature certainly inspires me and plays a role in my work.

DSD: What in your experience would you say is the most difficult aspect of being an artist? 

Eric Wixon: Paying rent.

DSD: What do you hope to accomplish with your art in the future?

Eric Wixon: I tend to view art as holistic and inseparable from life and the ongoing accomplishments are growth and change.... I've worked with many nonprofits over the years and I am now associated with an environmental NGO in India called Greenyatra so if you care about the environment on a global scale be sure to visit their site-- greenyatra.org.

See Eric’s work and more photos from Flavor Del Mar’s One Year Anniversary here.