Erik Carroll (Gallery of the Soul): Muralist in Fort Myers, Florida
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Gallery of the Soul
Muralist: Erik Carroll
Location: Fort Myers, Florida
Travel Distance: 75
Painting Murals for: 1 years
Member Since: 11/03/2009
Has Insurance: Yes
Total Profile Views: 221
I love painting realistic images by incorporating Faux Finish in my Trompe L'oeil. Understanding structural lines and how light creates shadows on different objects is an art in itself. Ever see a painting that was good but something was a bit "off" about it? 99% of the time it was shadows or lines. I also like creating characters and designs for kid's areas. I spend a great deal of time understanding the child's personality and create art that will stand the test of time. For instance, a client wanted Hannah Montana for her 8 year old - I didn't have a problem doing it for her. However, I took more time with them and found out who the child was and went with a theme around music and art and accented the room with Hannah Montana. In two years, the girl would be screaming to have Hannah painted over but will always love music and art.
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My Mural Painting Styles:
My Biography:
I was born in Miami, Florida but was raised in the small town of Proctorville, Ohio in the foothills of the Appalachian Mountains. I have been drawing and sketching for as long as I can remember. At 8 years old, I would spend hours sketching noses, eyes, hands, etc. learning the technique of shading. When I entered junior high, I felt the pressures of being a teenager. I wanted to be accepted and popular so I began transforming myself into another person to fit in and "shelved" the real me.
I did all the "right things" to be one of the cool kids...
At 16, I worked for a local pizza place delivering pizzas. This proved to be a great way to make money. Lots of money for a teenager at that time. I bought a brand new car at 17 equipped with the best sound system. I always had $100 in my pocket. I was rolling...or so I thought. I loved having and spending money. I knew that you had to work hard to be successful and if you did - the money would follow. I was happy having money - later in life I realized I was trying to fill a void.
I went into the Marine Corps after I graduated high school for three reasons:
1) I had spent the 6 years prior trying to be popular and did not apply myself academically
2) My Dad was in the Marines and I didn't really know or understand him - we didn't have a very good relationship and I thought that it would make him proud
3) I wanted to prove to everyone that I could excel in the hardest military branch
I made my Dad proud and I excelled. I spent 5 years in the Marines as an Avionics Technician working on F/A 18 Hornets. I was meritioriously promoted twice and was given the honor of being the "Sergeant of the Color Guard" for VMFA-122. I thought I had exceeded the expectations of those who knew me and those who loved me but I still felt that my Dad was not impressed. This fueled me to try harder and increased my need for success. I wanted to show the world that I wasn't just some "Hillbilly" from Ohio.
In 1997, I was hired by Gulfstream Aerospace located in Brunswick, GA as a technician. I quickly started moving up the "food chain" - Service Center Coordinator in 1998 - Customer Program Manager in 1999 - Business Office Lead in 2001 - Business Manager in 2004. I was making more money at 30 than my parents, but I wasn't satisfied. It had become more about the success than money. I wanted to push myself further and harder. I wanted to prove more... then my life changed completely.
My Dad suffered a stroke while on the road (he was a truck driver). He was not found for 6 hours and the doctors didn't think he would make it thru the night. Miraculously, he survived and was recovering from the stroke when he was diagnosed with lung cancer. It had spread all over and after rounds of radiation and chemotherapy it was determined that it was terminal. He died on July 21, 2004. He was 53.
I was devastated.
The one person in the world who I thought I hadn't proved myself to was gone. I had spent my whole adult life seeking his approval. I never built a relationship with him. I always thought that I had time. I didn't know how to deal with the pain and then an opportunity arose in January 2006. I accepted a job at PrivateSky Aviation here in Fort Myers, FL as their Sales Manager - another challenge to distract my thoughts.
I spent 6 months driving from Jacksonville to Fort Myers and back on a weekly basis. This forced me to address his death and look deep inside myself. During this time I realized that I didn't know who I was. I couldn't answer it. I had left that person on the shelf 21 years ago. I had become so proficient at playing the game, becoming a different person for every situation. That is how I became "successful". I was a sellout. I sold MYSELF out. My need for acceptance had snowballed into 21 years of lies and false fronts.
I began to connect again with my art and with the real me. I found happiness in my art, it relaxed me. I lost myself in it. Painting brought out buried feelings and emotions that opened a different view of life and what is important. I hadn't been the husband or father that I should have and I knew the only thing in life that matters are the people you love and who love you. Period.
Earlier this year I quit my job at PrivateSky and decided to pour myself into my family and this business. That is all I have and all I need. Everything else is gravy.
Of course, they thought I was crazy and I guess it may have seemed that way to most. Leaving a high paying job with nothing but a lifetime of art begging to be set free. Who would do that? The owner told me I needed to look in the mirror and I would see that I was letting the company (1) and my family (2) down. Thanks for the advice, I saw something completely different.
Call me crazy.
My name is Erik and I'm an Artist.
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My Education:
My Murals:
HyperRealism Mural on Tile Backsplash
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Lake Como View Thru Marble Columns (In Work)
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Comfort - Trompe L'oeil on a Kitchen Backspash
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Brewery Recreation
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Trompe L'oeil Beach
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SkyTykes Baby in Airplane
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Ninja Monkey with Love
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Blonde Brat
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Brunette Brat
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Emily and Art
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