ERIC SWEET
Hello. I'm Eric. I grew up in southeast Michigan, about an hour outside of Detroit. I was a creative kid, who loved to draw, invent, and build. I spent a lot of time drawing cars and coming up with ridiculous names for them—many of which are safeguarded in my studio. I've always considered myself a deep thinker and searcher. I think about my existence often—my place among the stars and what the purpose might be. I regularly feel like I’m searching for something—an endless quest for meaning. This search has led me to explore painting various subjects in multiple mediums and styles throughout the years. But in a very obvious way, I've found a place of peace in painting the heavens above.
As a searcher, I often find myself looking up, navigating the night sky, thinking about the vastness of space and the purpose of life. I'm in awe of our universe, how so much beauty can be created through destruction, and how our eyes gather light to create these gaseous masterpieces in the sky. I love painting these moments captured in time, portraying the fabric of our existence, while being reminded of how small and precious we are.
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The paintings you see here have been created with oil paint on stretched canvas. These works are detailed and extremely time consuming, as each star is meticulously placed in its home upon its gas and dust-clouded backdrop. I generally work through each piece one section at a time; creating the gaseous backdrop filled with plums of vivid colors. Within those 'clouds' I'll paint the larger stars glowing effects. Each star, faint or otherwise, is then carefully placed in its precise location. Finally, the decision to add diffraction spikes is made and executed. My smaller works generally take four to six weeks to complete while some larger works can take several months.
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Navigate throughout my site and you'll notice some past works. It's undeniable that animals have played a huge role in my work and were the subject of choice for many years. I've always admired animals and their ability to live in the moment without ruminating in the past or dreaming of the future. The animal spirit is powerful and can be portrayed in so many different ways. These works were painted in watercolors, a spirited choice for what I had hoped to represent. I love the nature of watercolor, the translucency it provides, and its light-hearted nature. My watercolors are light and airy, full of energy and movement, focusing on capturing the spirit of my subject. I've also worked with oils creating some expressive animal works here, and more realistic works here.
If you're interested in any works but would like more information, please don't hesitate to contact me. If you're interested in a commissioned piece, contact me here and I'll get back to you. I also regularly teach painting classes and provide mentorship. I love working with new students and watching them grow as artists. If you're interested in a private lesson, learn more here.
When I'm not painting, I enjoy spending time with my two daughters, golfing, working in the yard, sky watching, and relaxing with my family.
“You are a child of the universe no less than the trees and the stars; you have a right to be here. And whether or not it is clear to you, no doubt the universe is unfolding as it should.” -Max Ehrman from Desiderata