Erin Elder is a 6th year Senior here at the University of Oregon. Elder has kindled a passion for art since high school inspired by the nature around her as well as personal experiences from living abroad. After years of dedication and practice of her craft Elder recently had her work entitled “Total Freedom” displayed in the Laverne Krause Gallery.
Q: How did you get started in art and realize it was something you had a passion for?
A: It was in high school, my senior year I won an art contest and got almost a full ride scholarship to Eastern Oregon University through just one painting I had done. I didn’t want to stay in my hometown though. I’ve always had a dream to have a studio and be an artist so I pursued it and decided to be an art major. But it took time to be doing what I am doing now. I started at Southern Oregon then I transferred here. But then I had to take all this math to get into U of O so I was at Lane Community College for two years and that put a damper on my studio practice as well as my artistic learning. After two years I finally got admitted then applied for the B.F.A. program and got accepted.
Q: How does it feel to have your work out there for the first time?
A: It feels vulnerable but really exciting because I’ve been waiting my entire college career to have an art show and this is my first one. It’s kind of intimidating; at least for me it’s like having my heart open for everyone to see.
Q: Did you ever get discouraged or hit a point where you thought you wouldn’t make it?
A: Oh yeah. I failed one of my math classes. I failed lots of tests. There were many times when I felt it was never going to happen.
Q: Was art an outlet for you than? How did you keep that dream alive?
A: My art was the most important thing to me. I guess I didn’t want to give up. I don’t like to give up on things even when they are really hard. I feel like I don’t want to fail myself.
Q: How do you feel art is different here in Eugene than anywhere else?
A: I feel like Eugene art is a little bit funky. Portland art may be a little more clean and urban. I feel like Eugene has more room because we are a hippy town.
Q: What impact do you hope your art has on people?
A: I hope that it makes people feel warm inside. If someone were to walk into the gallery alone I would hope it would make them feel not so alone.