Today we’d like to introduce you to Tess Erlenborn.
Tess, can you briefly walk us through your story – how you started and how you got to where you are today.
I am a visual artist from Nashville, TN. I specialize in abstract and nature-inspired paintings and murals. I received my BFA from Sewanee: The University of the South in 2014 and have since been working in Nashville, officially becoming a full-time artist this year!
Overall, has it been relatively smooth? If not, what were some of the struggles along the way?
Self-employment is always rocky, there are good months and terrifying months, but I’ve managed thru some great financial advisement (from my dad) and just really trusting myself and believing in my work and what I do. I’ve made it this far, and trust that things will work out as long as I continue to work really hard and promote what I do and just hope for the best.
What do you do, what do you specialize in, what are you known for, etc. What are you most proud of as a company? What sets you apart from others?
I specialize in paintings & murals. The purpose of my practice is to question our familiarity with our realities and address various inevitabilities in life. I am inspired by escapism and utilize this coping mechanism in my work. I draw from natural symbolism found in storybooks and fairytales and biology book illustrations. Each natural component found in my compositions has a different metaphorical significance, but common themes include decay, growth, and repetition. I love painting patterns and the way I paint mimics compartmentalization and applying humor and femininity to darker themes. I draw on personal issues and fears that bring people together, while simultaneously causing divides. I address what separates and connects us, and the cyclical nature of life and human tendencies. As a street artist, my work is unique and inherently more feminine than a lot of male street artists. I love painting really large scale and using bright, playful colors to address things that are difficult to discuss. I first think of a title, usually, it’s something humorous, then come up with layers of images which are then masked and abstracted.
Any shoutouts? Who else deserves credit in this story – who has played a meaningful role?
My fiancé is a musician and also self-employed so we lean on each other a lot and are very supportive of our efforts. It’s nice having someone I can really relate to and rely on to help me emotionally and also physically help me move supplies and paintings to shows and clients. My dad’s financial advice really pulled me through as well. My parents are both really supportive of me, but I am really independent and wanted to do this completely on my own with no outside financial help, so they were able to guide me through this different career path.
Contact Info:
- Website: tesserlenbornart.com (tessdaviesart.come beginning in late September)
- Phone: 6153008704
- Email: tesserlenbornart@gmail.com (tessdaviesart@gmail.com beginning in late September)
- Instagram: @tesserlenbornart (@tessdaviesart beginning in late September)
- Facebook: Tess Erlenborn Art (Tess Davies Art beginning in late September)
Image Credit:
headshot is by Cedrick Jones @cedrickphoto
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