Small Study, Seven

Erin Friedman 7" x 9" Acrylic on canvas, floater frame with natural wood 2.5 " depth "Art has been pouring out of me since childhood. It's how I process the world and connect with myself. When I paint, I’m completely immersed. The complexity of emotions, how layered, messy, and beautiful they can be, is what inspires me most. I try to capture the essence of being human in my work. We all go through conflict, change, joy, and sadness. I let those feelings guide me and allow them to surface in the paintings. I begin each piece by pouring mixed acrylic onto raw canvas and then build layers using a palette knife, a variety of brushes, and oil sticks. I work intuitively without a plan. I might have an idea in mind, but each mark is a response to what came before. I shift direction often, adding layers, changing course, and staying open to what unfolds. Each painting is personal and grounded in the emotions I’m feeling at the time. I don’t illustrate specific moments, but the emotions tied t