Meet the Artist
Macy Erickson is a 24-year-old self-taught abstract painter and jewelry maker working out of her studio in downtown Lawrence, Kansas. Macy moved from Overland Park, KS to Lawrence to attend KU in 2019, but had some health struggles that resulted in her discontinuing her studies. Through her health issues, she created custom jewelry for her peers and started selling at local pop-up shops around the KC area. Macy has been a painter since childhood, but never considered selling her work until she had gained sales and business experience selling jewelry. Macy is also highly interested in personal style and shoes. Her love for painting blossomed further when she realized a white shoe could serve as a blank canvas. She has continued to expand from custom shoes into other wearable art such as painted jackets. Selling her handcrafted works has been a lifeline as Macy navigates life with chronic illness, striving to bring dreams to life and joy to every room.
Artist Statement
My work explores what happens when perfectionism intersects with intuitive freedom. I create colorful, energetic abstract artwork and unique wearable art. As I’ve evolved as an artist, I have expanded my endeavors from creating custom jewelry, shoes, and clothing to larger-scale projects including canvases and furniture. Each piece builds upon my latest techniques, which I often combine into multimedia artwork such as paintings with leather shoe paint and added components from my jewelry. My love for color, textures, and patterns connects my pieces across mediums. Nature and dreams are highly influential in my paintings; much of my work is inspired by the cosmos, sea, and sky. I use texture to create depth and patterns to create movement, which accumulate into a final multidimensional dreamscape. The bases of many of my paintings are textures that mimic the free movements of life in nature and many of my color palettes and compositions are inspired by moments I photograph.
My intuitive abstract process is incredibly freeing in a world where everything needs to be just right. Starting with a basic outline and a color palette, I try not to be too strict with my vision and allow myself to follow ideas as they come. Acting while the excitement of an idea is fresh allows me to capture as much potential energy in the work as possible, whereas dwelling on the best concept for too long can hinder execution and dim the light of passion with expectation. Enjoying the process is a crucial part of creating a piece I love. My work captures the feeling of letting go in a moment of uncertainty and chaos and embracing the beauty and balance that remain within disorder. I aim to create art that gives the mind permission to feel uninhibited child-like wonder, introducing a sense of harmony and serenity. When experiencing my work, I hope to offer a sense of relieving captivation that can serve as a tranquil respite from everyday life and renew one’s curiosity and awe towards the world around them.
I aspire to create soothing yet lively pieces that brighten up your space and your day. One of the most rewarding parts of my process is collaborating with clients to create custom pieces that bring their dreams to life and inspire joy and confidence. I believe that everyone deserves an environment that uplifts and brings peace, which can be elevated with personalized, meaningful artwork.
Life can be taken seriously and still involve joy and fun; disorder and chaos do not drown out beauty and balance. Color and bold expression are increasingly necessary in a world that tends to lack joy and confidence. My work is a response to perfectionism and self-imposed restrictions.