We had the good fortune of connecting with Eric Welch and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Eric, we’d love to hear about how you approach risk and risk-taking.
Risk taking has played a major role in my life, from business to everyday life. I believe that we all should take risk, but of course be smart and have some calculated thought before jumping. It’s risk that led us into something bigger. I get it though it can be scary jumping in the unknown. For instance if I didn’t take the risk to move from Louisville Kentucky to Los Angeles I may have not made as much forward progress as an artist/entrepreneur. I decided to leave Kentucky with no job lined up in California, no family, and no place to live. Although I did it because I knew I would be able to build something bigger than myself and then share with the world.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
I like to think of everything I do as art. Even if it’s not painting, I’m creating something every day which led me to the creation of Drop of Sunshine Inc. Drop of Sunshine is another company of mine that focuses on health and wellness through cannabinoids. We connect art with our products packaging. Our mission is “We are all artist no matter what you do and our goal is to bring that inner artist out, allowing you to paint the picture of health you envision”. I have been really proud with my artistic growth. In my art and my hemp business. Something that I’m pretty excited about is the new works I’ve been painting. I hope to have an AWAN show next year to debut them all in one place at one time. I will definitely keep you updated about that. It’s funny as I talk to you about my journey and what I’m currently working on, it’s hard not to think about all the things that have made me who am. I am a creator, who wants to keep experiencing life and all its beauty. Although not all of life’s lessons have been nice to me. Although they have been much more valuable than anything I’ve learned in a book. Nothing has been easy and honestly if it was easy it wouldn’t feel so good when the accolades do come. I know when recognition arises it’s because I worked my ass off to earn it. Plus, I do this all for the love of it. Even Drop of Sunshine; I created it because I love cannabis and art so when I found an opportunity to combine my two passions, I jumped. It just made sense.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
Oh man that’s tough because there are so many dope ass spots here in LA. The iteneray would like this; * First; Walking up and down the boardwalk in Venice, hoping on the bicycles showing them around Venice and Santa Monica. * Dinner downtown in Little Tokyo for some DAIKOKUYA. * Late night in the Art’s District bouncing around. * Beach day and surf session. * Definitely burger and beer at Hinano * If they were down and depending on the time of year camping in Joshua tree or in the Sequoia’s. This would be probably my top options, but there are so many amazing spots it would be hard to narrow it all down haha. I would try to be doing it all!

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
There are so many people who have contributed to my story of life, helping me get to where I am today. My family for sure. My mom in particular, always believing in me and being there by my side. She has truly been there every step of the way cheering me on, even at the lowest of times she’s there to tell me to keep believing.

Website: artistawan.com thedropofsunshine.com
Instagram: @artistawan @thedropofsunshine
Facebook: @thedropofsunshine

Image Credits
Roman Lane, Anii Cooper,