"Yonder: Orange Back Yellow Sky" Painting

In the studio, I get curious about what hasn’t yet surfaced in my mind. After lots of exploratory work, I have a general idea of where I want a series to go. I’m influenced by Buddhism and psychological self care. They support my awareness of how emotion, intuition, and logic arise in my practice. When I’m able to notice the interplay, I can get deliberate about and act upon which one is leading at any given moment. For example, if I notice that my brush is moving quickly and aggressively, I may choose to let the anxiety run free on the canvas, or to work with it later. Logic can guide me to step back, sketch, and take notes. Intuition is my favorite guide. It’s where flow and surrender live. It can show up spontaneously, or if I call in meditation or play when the work feels stale or stiff. I return to this process, periodically nudging myself to partner with whichever part of me will best serve the painting. Working with these states, I encourage viewers to feel safe being with any feelings that arise take in the work. Erica Amundson was born in 1972 in Cold Spring, NY. She studied art at a number of institutions, including School of Visual Arts, NY, and San Francisco Art Institute, for graduate level studies. After earning a Bachelor of Arts in History, and obtaining an art teaching credential, she taught high school art for nearly 20 years. She has lived and worked as a full time artist in Martinez, CA since 2021.