Conversations with Erica Keener

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

Hi Erica, thanks for sharing your story with us. To start, maybe you can tell our readers some of your backstory.
I’ve been drawing and painting for as long as I can remember. I took classes from a local artist for a few years when I was a teenager, which is when I was first introduced to pastels. Art was not something I had thought of as a career, and I never took more than a few classes in college. Instead, I received a degree in anthropology and spent 15 years working as an archaeologist, which took me all over Ohio and down many backroads, which fueled my love of working out of doors and fascination with the natural world. Eventually, we moved to my husband’s family farm in Preble County, and with an inspiring view right out the kitchen window, I began to focus more on my art. I started entering local juried shows and occasionally making sales. Through volunteering and working at Preble Arts in Eaton, I was able to meet other local artists who eventually introduced me to the Front Street community of artists. About 18 months ago, I started renting a studio there and have been creating and selling from that space since. 

Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not, what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
The biggest struggles for me have been time management and confidence. I’m still working full-time, so it’s hard to find the time and to get into a creative mindset on a regular basis, but I try to take advantage of it whenever I am able to tap into my creative side. Having enough confidence to take my art seriously has taken a while, but the more I paint the better I feel about my skill level. Getting out of my comfort zone and occasionally teaching pastel classes has helped a lot too. I’ve been fortunate to have a lot of support from friends and family, with many cheerleaders to keep me going. 

Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
Although I work in several other mediums, pastels are what I prefer to use. There is a tactile quality to pastels that you don’t really get in most other mediums. They are messy, but getting dirty while working with my hands is something I’ve done all my adult life. Landscapes are my favorite subject, and over the years, as I’ve gained in confidence and skill, I’ve focused more and more on the sky. In 2021 I participated in an invitational, the Darren Harper 3 Feet challenge, during which participating artists were required to make as many works as possible to fit within a three-foot square space. I painted over 30 small skies – and have continued the series even after the challenge was over. It’s given me the confidence to abandon the horizon line and focus entirely on the sky and clouds. Collectors have told me that looking at their pieces makes them smile and I love being able to share that joy that painting gives to me. It’s a wonderful feeling when someone walks into my studio and sees one of my skies, and their first reaction is “Oh wow.” It’s what keeps me creating even when it get challenging to do so. 

We love surprises, fun facts, and unexpected stories. Is there something you can share that might surprise us?
I’m a studio artist, so people may be surprised to hear that I’ve also designed and painted a mural. My daughter and I used to volunteer at a local zoo, Wild Hearts African Farm and Petting Zoo, and a number of years ago the owner asked me to paint a mural for the eagle enclosure. So, Elanor the bald eagle has a Charley Harper-inspired landscape as the backdrop of her enclosure. 

Contact Info:

• Website: ericakeenerart.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ericakeenerart/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ericakeenerart/

Image Credits
Lori Daugherty
Kirsten Keener