Meet Erin Newton | Artist

We had the good fortune of connecting with Erin Newton and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Erin, where are your from? We’d love to hear about how your background has played a role in who you are today?
I’m from around. I am an heiress to generations of larger-than-life Southern Gothic characters replete with tragedy, back-breaking and soul-crushing struggles to bend earth to will, sacrifice, warring, quiet steadfastness that in an earlier time seems to have been understood as “love,” religious customs that border on the bizarre, scrounging, and some threads of dark humor running throughout. Fragments of stories and sepia-tinted somber photographs of malnourished, weather-beaten husks of serious-looking people, passed down to me advise that I, too, will face the inevitable challenges and tragedy, but hope and perseverance will see me through. Just like you, I stand on the shoulders of flawed but willful giants.

My birth certificate states I was born in Northern Italy, though I am not Italian (more tragedy!). My father was a career Army officer, and when I was born my family lived near the turreted walls of a medieval castle in a prolific wine region.

My father’s mother was from a family of Louisiana sharecroppers. My father’s father was a difficult man, his people from Kentucky. They end up in Texas. I come from a mother who knows no pastime save constant acts of sacrificial love, and studying the Bible. Her mother sold ice cream on the streets of a Texas town, singing a jingle to the passers-by: “Ice-cream-soda-pop-two-for-a-nickel.” Her father was a rice farmer. Together my parents form a mysterious team that raised six children in other countries, in sickness and in health, ’til death. They taught us to seek to improve: Self, surroundings, anything in your purview. Be driven, be humble, be on time. Both parents shared with us the undeserved love of Jesus Christ. Both feared my passion for art because “it won’t pay the bills.”

When my father retired from the Army we settled in central Texas near my mother’s family and took up ranching. I had a pet duck named Annabel and a horse named Atticus as close friends. The ritual I carried over from life as an Army brat to ranching was my homeschooling, which came with a lot of time outdoors, observing and absorbing. And this is when my ride-or-die muse made her entrance: Nature, full of darkness through death, destruction, and decay in a constant waltz with the light of mornings, birth, blossoming, and rebuilding. I have thousands of hours in Nature’s classroom. Nature gifts me reconciliation, vision and feeling. My work and joy is to transport these visions and feelings onto the canvas.

Who I am today: I’m an artist. For me, this means sharing the faint, metaphysical impressions of those gone before me. I watch, I listen, I study, I feel, and then I paint. Death, grief and destruction remain present in my adulthood, but I know I am in good company. Blessings, beauty and light abound also. I have learned to appreciate that I cannot have one without the other, for they are the same coin. I aim to convey moods, moments of hope and the light out of darkness, and most of all legacy born of the perseverance of those who went before. I want to share these themes with anyone who is awed by them too. It is an incredible part of being an artist when, without a word but rather paint and canvas, someone comes across my work and the message is received, there is connection, and something elusive in us is understood a little more.

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
I’m from around. I am an heiress to generations of larger-than-life Southern Gothic characters replete with tragedy, back-breaking and soul-crushing struggles to bend earth to will, sacrifice, warring, quiet steadfastness that in an earlier time seems to have been understood as “love,” religious customs that border on the bizarre, scrounging, and some threads of dark humor running throughout. Fragments of stories and sepia-tinted somber photographs of malnourished, weather-beaten husks of serious-looking people, passed down to me advise that I, too, will face the inevitable challenges and tragedy, but hope and perseverance will see me through. Just like you, I stand on the shoulders of flawed but willful giants.

My birth certificate states I was born in Northern Italy, though I am not Italian (more tragedy!). My father was a career Army officer, and when I was born my family lived near the turreted walls of a medieval castle in a prolific wine region.

My father’s mother was from a family of Louisiana sharecroppers. My father’s father was a difficult man, his people from Kentucky. They end up in Texas. I come from a mother who knows no pastime save constant acts of sacrificial love, and studying the Bible. Her mother sold ice cream on the streets of a Texas town, singing a jingle to the passers-by: “Ice-cream-soda-pop-two-for-a-nickel.” Her father was a rice farmer. Together my parents form a mysterious team that raised six children in other countries, in sickness and in health, ’til death. They taught us to seek to improve: Self, surroundings, anything in your purview. Be driven, be humble, be on time. Both parents shared with us the undeserved love of Jesus Christ. Both feared my passion for art because “it won’t pay the bills.”

When my father retired from the Army we settled in central Texas near my mother’s family and took up ranching. I had a pet duck named Annabel and a horse named Atticus as close friends. The ritual I carried over from life as an Army brat to ranching was my homeschooling, which came with a lot of time outdoors, observing and absorbing. And this is when my ride-or-die muse made her entrance: Nature, full of darkness through death, destruction, and decay in a constant waltz with the light of mornings, birth, blossoming, and rebuilding. I have thousands of hours in Nature’s classroom. Nature gifts me reconciliation, vision and feeling. My work and joy is to transport these visions and feelings onto the canvas.

Who I am today: I’m an artist. For me, this means sharing the faint, metaphysical impressions of those gone before me. I watch, I listen, I study, I feel, and then I paint. Death, grief and destruction remain present in my adulthood, but I know I am in good company. Blessings, beauty and light abound also. I have learned to appreciate that I cannot have one without the other, for they are the same coin. I aim to convey moods, moments of hope and the light out of darkness, and most of all legacy born of the perseverance of those who went before. I want to share these themes with anyone who is awed by them too. It is an incredible part of being an artist when, without a word but rather paint and canvas, someone comes across my work and the message is received, there is connection, and something elusive in us is understood a little more.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
We’re going to hit up the design district. I enjoy gallery night and there are some lovely galleries in that neighborhood. We’ll check out the Dallas Museum of Art and the Botanical Gardens.

We will stroll and check out the shops in Bishop Arts District. We’ll get a sandwich from Jimmy’s Food Store. Jimmy’s carries wines from my birth town in Italy. Some deli meats and cheese and some wine are always on my snacking short list.

I’m likely to take them to the Dallas Farmers Market. It’s great to walk around and take in the many small and local businesses selling anything from fruit and veggies to clothing to dog treats.

Mariam’s Cocina Latina, Fernandos, Partenope and Pecan Lodge are all restaurants I would recommend we grab a bite.

And depending on just how far out of town they’re from, we’ll pop over to Fort Worth and visit the stockyards and the rodeo.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
My journey has been fueled by incredible support—from cherished family members, dedicated colleagues, and friends who’ve shared my work to every individual who’s purchased a piece. Yet, amidst this incredible circle, one person stands out—the extraordinary Andrew Newton, my husband and partner.

Andrew’s canvas is the world of cinematography. His title is freelance Director of Photography. His expertise shines in movies, commercials, and music videos. Our conversations brim with passion, delving into the nuances of light, framing, and storytelling. He isn’t just my spouse; he’s my mentor, my loudest cheerleader, a trusted advisor, a skilled photographer, and my indispensable partner. His remarkable talent inspires me to strive for excellence in my craft.

Website: https://erinneelnewton.com

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/let_paint_be_paint/

Other: ARTSY: https://www.artsy.net/artist/erin-neel-newton?metric=in tiktok: https://www.tiktok.com/@let_paint_be_paint?_t=8ie4tUG9thm&_r=1

Image Credits
Andrew Newton