Eric Whitfield (left) has a conversation with fellow artist Oscar Stivala at his solo showing opening event on Saturday, September 9, 2023.
By Dave Warner
Garlic wasn’t the only thing going on Saturday in Canal Place. Eric Whitfield had his opening reception at the Mohawk Valley Center for the Arts for his solo show, which will run through October 14, 2023.
Born in Austin, TX, to artist parents and raised in Upstate NY, Eric Whitfield has no formal art training but was always drawn to and inspired by all things creative. His work is primarily contemporary abstract. It is colorful and honest. Over the years, Eric has participated in festivals, shows, and pop-up gallery exhibits.
Whitfield stated, “This is my first solo outing, and I have a couple of different styles going on. I have over 70 pieces here, finished over the last couple of years. I kind of shifted gears about two years ago and started experimenting and getting out of my comfort zone a little bit and did some stuff that felt really authentic and exciting for me.”
“That’s where most of this stuff came from – more contemporary/abstract and mixed media. I have a lot of fun with the different textures and experimenting with different materials and tools,” he stated.
Whitfield said that he has two different styles that he has hanging in the show. “One is more whimsical, figurative, and character-driven. It’s a fun balance for me. That stuff helps me to stay grounded and keep a sense of humor. That’s really what it’s all about, man.”
“I’m just excited to be here, and I was telling Dad (Doug Whitfield, President of the Board of Directors of MVCA) when I got her and looked around, I felt that I was seeing some of these paintings for the first time. They looked different, and it’s exciting,” he stated.
For more information on the show, visit https://mohawkvalleyarts.org/.
