An enlightening conversation with one of our amazing creative team members.

What is the first piece of art that you remember making? What inspired you? I have fond memories of making art as a child. I remember second grade and winning first place for a batik painting I did of a vase with flowers. It was the first time that I had ever won an art award and it certainly made an impression on me for the rest of my life. I knew then that I wanted to be an artist. Regarding paper cutting, I became a paper cut artist in 2014. I recall having a dream about a wolf running through the forest. The trees swaying with the wind, the crunch of the dry leaves under his paw on the ground. It was a scene from Little Red Riding Hood but I was the young girl. I woke up from that dream and decided that I would cut the scene out in paper and so I did. It changed my life as an artist. I found my voice. I truly fell in love and have been cutting stories out of paper ever since.

What themes most call to you in your creativity? My work is often a personal narrative. I am inspired by the past and the stories about my family that my grandmother passed down. My great-great grandmother left Germany for the hills of Brown County, Indiana. I often think about her life on the farm. My work reflects the labor and the struggle. Having German roots, I am inspired by folk design. I am currently inspired by Dutch paintings of large, lush bouquets.

What is your favorite memory and how does it inform what you do? I have so many favorite memories. One particular memory was when I was just eight years old. It was a beautiful Sunday afternoon at my grandparents house in the countryside. I was sitting next to my grandfather on the couch as I often did. He started to sketch the face of a woman on a scrap piece of paper. I remember his mechanical pencil. The light lines he laid down on the paper. The tattoo of an eagle on his forearm from WW2. He was an artist. a painter, a wood worker and I admired his skills. So, I asked him, “would you teach me how to draw?” He said, “I can’t. You’ll just have to practice on your own.” His response was upsetting to me at the time but he was right. Learning to draw isn’t something you learn overnight. It comes through practice. I love his honest advice. I love that I had that time to watch and admire his love for art making.

Is there a project that you have been wanting to embark on or something you have wanted to create, but haven't acquired the resources yet? If so, can you tell us more about it. I always have a project up my sleeve. From traveling the world and documenting the making of folk art to perfecting my surface designer skills and creating things like wallpaper. However, I mostly want to create a series of stop-motion films. I have made several very short, spontaneous films but I’d like to take more time and focus on them.

What do you listen to, if anything, while in your studio? I love classical music, opera and everything romantic. What is your favorite time of day to create? I am a morning person. I feel my best first thing in the morning. My ideas are fresh and I’m ready to work. I enjoy that sense of stillness and the choir of birds as the sun rises. Favorite studio snack or ritual? I often forget to eat when I am in the studio. I usually have a cup of coffee close by and it goes cold. Regarding a ritual, I often know exactly what I want to work on before I sit down. I turn on the music and get to work. We would love to know more about what your studio process looks like. My work always begins with a sketch before being cut out. My tools are rather simple- paper, pencil and a scalpel. I often create stencils and spray paint the designs onto paper or canvas when I create a painting.

Suit lining Erin designed for Lil Nas X.

What brings you the most joy in life? My four children. They have taught me the definition of unconditional love. I am inspired by their eagerness to learn and sense of adventure. They are all very different, but are a huge part of who I am. They are my best works of art.

What advice can you offer to young artists? My advice to any young artist is to first follow your intuition. We are born with this gift, and as we grow we learn to ignore it. Don’t ignore it. Learn as much as you can but always seek out your own voice in whatever work you make. Do not be put out by critical voices. Try, try again.

Do you recall a time when you tried something completely new in your art? Was it scary, but exhilarating...can you tell us more? I was approached by artist and Western suit maker Jerry Lee Atwood to design a suit lining for NFL player Von Miller that had a rooster theme. I was thrilled to make the work but had no prior experience with making fabric designs. Jerry Lee’s faith in my abilities pushed me over the mountain of fear that I had. The idea of using color was quite intimidating because I often work in black and white. Once I created the design, I fell in love with the concept of surface design making. It was exciting to feel the freedom of using color again and I was glad to move on to the next design which later lined the suit of Lil Nas X.

What is your daily motto? Love More - Fear Less.

What are you most excited about for the future (and the present)? I am thankful for every day that I am given. I am thankful that I am able to make art and I am excited about the endless possibilities that come with that. I am always planning and looking forward to the next challenge. Currently, I am excited about the floral work that I have been making. For me, the floral work represents hope and life as being something to savor while it lasts.

Do you have a favorite ghost story or fairy tale? I truly love fairy tales. I love that they are passed down from generation to generation and how they spark the imagination. My favorites are stories that probably keep children from wandering the woods alone like Hansel & Gretel and Little Red Riding Hood. I love a Bavarian setting!

A Sense of Adventure : Erin Hüber

Ghost Stories

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