Daily Inspiration: Meet Erica Bradshaw

Today we’d like to introduce you to Erica Bradshaw.

Hi Erica, it’s an honor to have you on the platform. Thanks for taking the time to share your story with us – to start maybe you can share some of your backstories with our readers?
Nature and exploration has always been a deep-rooted part of my life. The 17 acre property I grew up on was a play ground of adventure. I would be outside daily building tree forts, coming face to face with deer in the woods, playing in the mud, and catching frogs and turtles in the surrounding ponds and creeks. I always say theres this child-like wonder that I have held onto my entire life. Go on a walk with me today, and I’m sorry– but we must stop and touch the moss, or all the different textures of pine trees. I have always had an interest in creating artwork, but it is these experiences in nature that have shaped the subject matter of my work.

I’m sure you wouldn’t say it’s been obstacle-free, but so far would you say the journey has been a fairly smooth road?
Since a kid, I have been sure I wanted to be an artist but it hasn’t come without detours. I think when a child dreams of being an artist, people often encourage it from the start, but when that kid gets older and doesn’t grow out of those dreams-people get concerned for their stability and try to steer them to a nine to five office job. I was often told that being a teacher or pursuing some other career path was what I had to do. For a while I steered away from art and went on this path working countless retail, food service, and at-home health care jobs while attending community college part-time. These years of my life felt very confusing, and ironically, I was working jobs I didn’t enjoy to pay my tuition for a career I ultimately didn’t enjoy either.

A couple years later I realized how little art was in my life anymore. I decided to take a college-level drawing class for fun. I remember my first art professor wondered why my focus wasn’t on art. That was all the push I needed to switch my degree to what I loved.

Soon after, a professor of mine Beth Purdy pretty much changed my life with an opportunity I couldn’t turn down. After taking multiple classes of hers, she pulled me aside one day and told me that a nature preserve in Hastings, MI was offering a paid art fellowship program over the summer. It was the Gordon Art Fellowship at Pierce Cedar Creek Institute and required a proposal to apply. I wanted to write and illustrate a nature-based children’s book all about plastic pollution and how to reduce your waste. It would be called “Their Home, Our Landfill.” There were only two openings for students applying all throughout MI. One day, I was at one of my part-time jobs when I got a call from Beth asking me if I checked my email… I had gotten in! The only catch was that the fellowship program started the week after I was getting married. I couldn’t pass it up. I packed my bags after my wedding and instead of going on a honeymoon- I was off to live with about 17 other students with varying majors out in a cabin practically in the middle of nowhere.

I met many amazing people through that program-including the then-head of the illustration department at Kendall College of Art and Design, Matt Schenk. I was honored when he approached me with a typed-up, detailed critique of the work for my book. The program didn’t require me to publish the book but I decided to go through with it given the feedback I had received.

After the fellowship, I went back to work and school while continuing work on editing and self-publishing my book any chance I got. It was soon after I published that colleges were visiting for portfolio day. I heard Kendall College of Art and Design would be there. I didn’t want to miss the chance to speak with them- so I quickly changed clothes in between my part-time jobs and classes. I was offered a portfolio scholarship on the spot. This felt like things were coming together. The school was an hour away but I couldn’t turn down the offer. I proceeded to apply for, and be awarded with scholarships nearly covering my remaining tuition. It was because of this that I was able to quit my part-time jobs and focus on my art in school full time.

Right before COVID hit, I started attending KCAD as a transfer student, and commuter. Schools transitioned to zoom university but I managed to find many opportunities to build my portfolio and make connections. I began doing public art, became an apprentice to a local artist, and graduated with my BFA in illustration spring of 2021.

Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
As a mixed media artist, and new full-time business owner, I do a little bit of everything. I write, illustrate, and publish my own books. I also paint exterior and interior murals as well as create art installations and design products from my illustrations like stickers, prints, cards, postcards, and clothing. I manage my social media accounts, create video content and posts, teach the occasional art class, vend at markets around the state, and everything else required in between.

Through my work, I strive to educate people of all ages about conservation, preservation, and sustainability. My Illustrations focus on “nuisance animals” and species we often take for granted. Along with the mindset of appreciating the little things, I hope to draw attention to environmental issues that are often overlooked. You will find me using recycled papers, plastic-free packaging, and reused and upcycled materials including frames, panels, and textiles wherever I can. One of my hopes is that my work promotes thought-provoking themes, like introspection, mindfulness, and compassion.

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Most recently I am proud to announce the upcoming release of my second book “The Alphabet of Amphibians!” It is an illustrated field-guide-inspired book that follows 26 amphibian species from around the world. This self-run project started in 2021 as 100 days of consecutive paintings where each day I would post an illustration of a letter, environment, or amphibian on social media for people to follow, and guess what was coming next! With all the research I did on each species A-Z, I had to turn it into an educational book that will grow with readers.

The book officially launches in late June 2022 -make sure to check my website to purchase a copy!

What quality or characteristic do you feel is most important to your success?
Looking back on how I got to where I am today, persistence and dedication have been most important. I wasn’t willing to accept the idea that I couldn’t be an artist for a living. Some have called that stubbornness…but I think no matter the challenges I’ve faced most recently with graduating and starting a business in the middle of a pandemic, I have made my actual dreams come true. (as cheesy as it sounds)

This career path for me has meant continuing to pull myself back up and quickly adapt. I have struggled with my mental health pretty consistently and I’ve learned through many trials and tribulations that this field is not for the faint of heart but I believe it is what I’m meant to be doing. I push myself out of my comfort zone daily in order to do what I love.

“I would rather die of passion than of boredom.” -Vincent Van Gogh

Contact Info:

• Website: https://todrawattention.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/todrawattention/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/todrawattention/
• Twitter: https://www.twitter.com/todrawattention/
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCEGF5-1sAp0TOBXdsJzItsg