Meet Erin Schalk | Artist, Writer, & Educator

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

Hi Erin, any advice for those thinking about whether to keep going or to give up?
When I frame this question for myself, I tend to ask whether to keep going or to let go? What needs to stay, and what needs to fall behind?

In my life, I have found (more often than not), it becomes a question of digging down to the roots — the roots of motivation, of fear(s), of niggling thoughts and feelings.

If I feel tempted to give up on a project (such as writing and finishing a full-length book manuscript) because I know the learning curve will be steep, because I am doubting my confidence and capabilities, because failure seems guaranteed…but, the project continues to tug at my thoughts, and the calling to finish the work remains, I recognize that quitting cannot truly be an option. I can unwisely choose to quit in an effort to reduce discomfort in the short term, but in the long term, other areas of my life will begin to unravel until I continue to pursue that mission.

When determining when to let something go, to shed a former skin, or to unhook myself from an anchor that weighs on me or keeps me immobile, I find examining motivations can provide clarity. Am I pursuing this because it’s an expectation by the powers that be in this industry? Do I continually feel like I have to wear a mask or perform? Am I clinging to this because of pride, of fear that there will be nothing else out there for me, or to prove a point to the uncontrollable perceptions of others?

In worst case scenarios, am I experiencing chronic physical, emotional, and/or mental distress? Am I subject to bullying, harassment, even abuse?

My thoughts are, do not give up on a true, authentic calling that has been placed in your path, no matter the roadblocks you may face. Be open, attentive, and listen to any shifts or detours in this calling that may arise. This can often happen.

Likewise, do not become caught in the downward spiral of clinging to that and those which do not serve you, that keep you in a vise of fear, or threaten to enact serious harm. In some matters of life, letting go requires the greater courage than hanging on.

Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.
The story of my art is that it is ever-evolving!

I began with a traditional 2-dimensional studio practice, with a focus on painting and drawing. My earliest artworks featured detailed, realistic representations of portraits and landscapes, painstakingly rendered in pen and ink. I envisioned myself becoming an illustrator. However, within a few years, my paintings began to explore abstraction and non-objective work, unlatched from the physical world and rooted in imagery from my imagination.

A few years ago, I underwent another seismic shift and began working in digital photography, video, performance, and written text. I approach photography and video much like a painter does, mindful of layering imagery, creating texture and history, and approaching composition and scale. However, the ideas I wanted to communicate could not live within painting alone, and I found that writing gave new dimension and volume to my voice as an artist. Currently, I am involved in a body of work that draws upon traditions of ekphrasis; I write poetic texts which describe and give context to my visual artworks.

Each evolution can take time and be incredibly disorienting! Each change creates additional challenges, as well as strengths. My greatest challenge is to lean into the shift and allow the change to occur. I often invest so much of my time and identity in one place (for example, being a painter), that moving more toward a different medium or discipline can feel almost like a betrayal. I continue to stretch my ability to move into the directions the work demands, rather than becoming stuck in zones of past successes.

Ultimately, I believe what sets me apart is range. I dedicate time and practice to not just dabble, but develop high-level skills in a variety of arenas: painting, drawing, poetry, ceramics, digital media, arts education, and more. In addition, I am able to synthesize and establish connections among seemingly dissimilar things. This allows for easier cross-pollination, since I can see ways to interweave the threads of writing and visual art, of poetry and performance.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
I am a transplant to California and still learning my way throughout the city. Since the pandemic, I have traveled less overall and stay close to home in Orange County. In the future, I plan to visit Los Angeles more frequently and immerse myself in more of the city’s rich cultural offerings.

Some of my favorite places to visit include the Anaheim Packing House, within the town’s Packing District. I am a member of the California Writers Club, Orange County branch, and our monthly meetings happen at the Packing House in the quiet before opening hours. Both the interior and exterior of the building are visually rich. The exterior incorporates a train car converted into an outdoor dining patio. The interior is filled with restaurants, shops that sell handcrafted goods, and networks of vines and foliage that stretch from the first floor to the second. There are even two bench-swings on the lower level — perfect places to jot down writing ideas, enjoy a beverage of choice, and feel like a carefree child again.

I also love Orange County’s own, award-winning Oceans & Earth restaurant, which brings together a farm-to-table dining experience with fresh seafood. The menu is extensive, providing options to focus on seafood entrees, the best the land has to offer, or to combine surf and turf. I have celiac disease and appreciate that the restaurant offers dedicated gluten-free meals and a relaxing, sit-down dining experience that is so difficult to find when you have to eat a highly restricted diet.

Lastly, I highly recommend the Muckenthaler Cultural Center, which brings together visual art classes for all ages, art exhibitions, musical and dance performances, and much more. One way in which I feel the Muck stands out is that it successfully creates bridges from local communities to the arts. The Muck features and supports local artists, nationally and/or internationally renowned artists, and all types of arts patrons. Whether you are a master ceramicist looking for inspiration and an audience for your classes, or you are someone with minimal arts exposure but looking to experience more, the Muck welcomes and creates opportunities for you.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
You can replace many things, but you cannot replace your family. I dedicate this shoutout to my dear husband and children, who generously provide me with their whole-hearted love and support.

I also wish to express gratitude to a dear friend, amazing curator, and fellow artist Jamie Nakagawa Boley, who has dedicated a great deal of her time and curatorial efforts to bring me into art exhibition opportunities at the higher education institutions where she teaches. Thanks to Jamie, I am one of the artists featured at Fresno State University’s exhibition “Thresholds in Parameters of What It Is to Be…” She has also create a solo exhibition opportunity for my work, happening in March 2023. For more information about Jamie’s art and curatorial work, please visit: https://www.jamienakagawaboley.net

Orange County’s own Marleena Barber, Director of the recently rebranded Orange County Arts & Disability (OCA&D), also deserves a shoutout. She works with such passion and enthusiasm to expand opportunities and recognition for artists with disabilities. For me, she also serves as a role model for remaining committed to your gifts, while finding ways to use these talents to do good work in the world. For more information on OCA&D, see: https://ocde.us/OCArtsandDisability/Pages/default.aspx

Website: www.erinschalk.com and www.bridgingart.com

Instagram: @elschalk

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/erinschalk/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/elschalk/

Other: https://bio.site/erinschalk

Image Credits
All photographs were taken by Erin Schalk. The bright white, blown out photograph features Marleena Barber. The photograph of the woman dancing features Mona Harris.