Meet Erick Mota | Artist / Oil Painter

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

Hi Erick, is there something that you feel is most responsible for your success?
Authenticity. When I first became a full-time artist, there was alot of doubt in myself and my artwork. I don’t feel I was ready to express some of the issues that tackled the surface of my life in my artwork. As a well-versed student of psychology, I wanted to incorporate my knowledge in the field into my future artwork, while also maintaining individualism in the work. It seemed too personal if I really painted what I really wanted to paint, however, with the help of an art coach and life experiences, I began to realize how the quality and expressiveness of my work was beginning to shift. I was no longer afraid to be myself and gain an authentic voice as an artist. I began to realize as I started painting for myself and not what was in the news, popular in entertainment, what people wanted me to paint, etc., the success of my brand lies in my ability to know myself and use my own life as collateral for my work, as it relied upon it. Developing an authentic voice as an artist is not easy, as it causes us to respond to internal expectations, and admit our faults. However, the ability to gain that feeling of authenticity, once developed, begins to feel fulfilling as a creative, and it begins to feel like a superpower. Once you truly know yourself as person, your art improves, as you know your real voice is always at the core.

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
When I create art, I take a visionary approach in which I explore the raw power of emotion, the philosophical and introspective understanding of life experiences, and how it shapes who we are as people. I aim to create work that is fearless, unafraid to explore the complexity of life and works that serve as a powerful testament to my quest for knowledge and self-discovery. Before making a brush stroke, I spend a lot of time researching the subject(s), observing, studying, gathering reference photos, etc. in order to gain a solid foundation for creating. I want my art to stand out for the innovative use of psychological elements that evoke emotion from the viewer. The titles, imagery, and positioning of subjects are done with intent to create timeless pieces that touch the soul. To get to where I am professionally today was not an easy road and helped me gain resilience. My resilience stems from some of the challenges I had to endure over the last few years, from when I made a conscious decision to resign from my job as a retail manager and focus on my PhD studies and creating art, while dealing with difficult family situations, to getting rejected from art galleries, opportunities, and overcoming a fear of showing work (which I would later discover is very natural for any artist). Overcoming these challenges entailed having confidence in myself and having the ability to look at resilience as an asset, capable of getting stronger in the face of adversity and looking at it as a moment to renew yourself and prepare for future challenges.
I have learned many lessons along the way, such as dealing with rejection, overcoming imposter syndrome, and making art for myself and not an audience. I learned that the world of an artist contains the concept that everything can be a new idea or possibility for new art, whether it is painful moments that can be turned into a beautiful work of art, or the beauty of something that can be displayed in a more creative way. As artists we have the powerful ability to evoke feelings, thoughts, and actions, bringing them to life to make someone have their own interpretation of what we created. The most rewarding part of being an artist is to witness my own growth as a person. There is something valuable in knowing that the art I share with the world is building a legacy that I wish will inspire change, create emotions within people, and make the world a better place through art.

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?
New York City just has so much to offer, and there are always new places to discover so this a tough question. But some of my favorites when it comes to pizza is Patsy’s in East Harlem (I am actually working on a painting involving Patsy’s and aliens. I know it may sound crazy but you’ll see it in the near future). I also love Lombardi’s in the West Village, Joe & Pat’s in Staten Island, Giuseppina’s in Brooklyn, and I’ll stop there because I can go on forever. My favorite restaurant in New York City has got to be Tao, both the uptown and downtown location, both have a different menu and different vibes. Growing up in Staten Island, I think the food there is always amazing and I have many favorites there, such as Esca’s. My favorite place in NYC has to be Madison Square Garden. The energy in that building feels like all of New York City in one place. When the Knicks are winning, there is no better place to be. I also enjoy the culture that NYC has to offer and one of my favorite museums is the MOMA, where I dream one of my paintings will be displayed one day.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
I dedicate my shoutout to my father. At 73 years old, he still creates art every day. Even though the world doesn’t know him as an artist the way I do, the work he has created has been amazing to witness. As I grow older, I gain a stronger appreciation for the times I would sit there as a kid and watch him create art. His artwork decorated the walls of my house, and still to this day, he creates art for himself, not willing to display or sell his work anywhere or put it on any social media platform for anyone to see. However, family and close friends know about his talent and he continues to create works that amaze me every day. Without his influence, I don’t know if I would’ve have had this same passion for art that has prompted me to continuously learn and become a better artist. He still gives me advice, and is my biggest art critic. He continues to inspire me everyday and the many lessons he has taught me were invaluable. Another person who deserves credit and recognition in my story is my wife, Virginia. She is a full-time Pediatric Intensive Care transport nurse, and in her free time, she has helped me set up for art shows, attended countless events, and has been extremely supportive in my journey, along with my kids. Having support from family means everything to me. Lastly, I want to shoutout my art family, a community of artists I have met over the last few years in New York City. There are too many to name, but all have been extremely supportive, providing a community where we build each other up and promote each other.

Website: erickmotaart.com

Instagram: @erickmotaart

Twitter: @erickmotaart