By Megan Reed
When you first encounter Erick Sandlin abstract art, the large, highly chromatic surfaces immediately command your attention. Bold and vibrant, these works give off an air of assertive improvisation. Clearly, the artist is entirely in tune with his instincts. He guides the work toward a spontaneous yet cohesive foray into the canvas.
The Lawyer and the Artist
The work draws the viewer into a world that feels emotional, mysterious, and even rebellious. Therefore, you might be surprised to learn about the artist behind the canvas. Specifically, Erick Sandlin is a professional bound to the rational and the analytical.
Based in Houston, Texas, Sandlin leads a double life. By day, he works as a litigator. In his off-hours, he transforms into an avant-garde painter. Although the two callings seem disparate, they feed each other in important ways.
According to Sandlin, the courtroom can be stressful and unpredictable. He cannot control the facts; instead, he must use the information at hand to propel the best outcome for his client. Conversely, his improvisational approach to painting helps him ease that stress. Ultimately, this dual perspective fuels the intensity of Erick Sandlin abstract art.
From Empty Walls to Galleries
Sandlin began painting in 2008. Although he always interested in art, he initially did not view it as a viable career path. However, after completing law school and moving into his first home, he realized he needed artwork to fill the space.
Because original works cost too much, he decided to revisit his earlier painting experiments. He made a few pieces for himself. Soon, visiting friends saw the work and commissioned pieces for their own homes. Eventually, coffee shops displayed his art, followed by galleries. As he says, “it hasn’t stopped from there.”
A Unique Outdoor Process
Sandlin has some formal training in traditional methods. Nevertheless, his approach remains decidedly his own. Remarkably, he creates all his work in his backyard, en plein air. He uses household supplies like spray paint, duct tape, and water.
For Sandlin, the physical experience of making the work is everything. He lays a freshly stretched canvas on a work table or the ground. Then, he takes colors from his extensive toolbox and begins spraying. In this way, the process guides him, layer upon layer.
Most notably, he builds the composition from the bottom up. Sometimes, he uses tape to create new shapes. Once, he pulled a strip of tape from the surface and revealed a much earlier layer of paint. Now, he works this process of discovery into other paintings.
The Dance Between Painter and Painting
This process of discovery drives Sandlin as an artist. He believes that revealing earlier incarnations of a painting creates a dialogue. It becomes an ongoing compromise between the painter and the painting.
These revelations thrill Sandlin. He says: “Whenever I have doubts about what’s next, there’s always some new discovery that emerges and guides me.”
Similarly, spray paint plays a crucial role. Sandlin can manipulate it, but he cannot fully control it. Consequently, it leads him on a painterly journey. Key to what makes Erick Sandlin abstract art authentic is this embrace of the unknown.
Finding Beauty in Accidents
While working in his backyard, he often picks up sticks or rolls objects across the canvas. Sometimes, he sprays water to dilute the paint. In fact, he has even left paintings out in the rain. When the elements diminished them, Sandlin wove the pieces together over wood to create a new amalgamated piece.
Often, mistakes or accidents determine the next direction. Ultimately, the only part Sandlin controls is the decision on when to finish.
Influences and Inspiration
Living in Houston gives Sandlin incredible access to Mark Rothko’s legacy. Frequently, Sandlin visits the Rothko Chapel. The rich, expressive colors on a grand scale illuminate the internal mystery that Erick Sandlin abstract art also conveys. Indeed, both artists share a spirituality found in the materials they employ.
Additionally, Sandlin cites his musician and photographer friends as influences. Watching their creative process inspires him. In them, he sees a like-minded approach: people driven by craft alone. Rather than following trends, they figure out their own path. They encourage others to join the journey through the work and toward the next unexpected discovery.
