ERIC SWEET
Hello. I'm Eric. I grew up in southeast Michigan, about an hour outside of Detroit. I was a creative kid, who loved to draw, invent, and build. I spent a lot of time drawing cars and coming up with ridiculous names for them—many of which are safeguarded in my studio. I've always considered myself a deep thinker and searcher. I think about my existence often—my place among the stars and what the purpose might be. I regularly feel like I’m searching for something—an endless quest for meaning. This search has led me to explore painting various subjects in multiple mediums and styles throughout the years. Nature, however, has been the constant theme.
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As a searcher, I often find myself looking up, navigating the night sky, thinking about the vastness of space and the purpose of life. I love painting these moments captured in time, portraying the fabric of our existence, while being reminded of how small and precious we are.​​
​INTO THE COSMOS SERIES
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My latest collection of oil paintings, Into the Cosmos, showcases the breathtaking wonders of our universe. These realistic works reveal the grandeur of stars, nebulae, and galaxies, inviting viewers to immerse themselves in the awe-inspiring beauty of the cosmos. From the radiant glow of distant stars to the ethereal swirls of nebulae, these paintings celebrate the cosmic ballet that unfolds in the heavens above.​​ I also paint smaller celestial wonders, focusing on night skies and our milky way.
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WATERCOLOR ANIMAL SERIES
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This is an ongoing series and the heart of my work as an artist. It's undeniable that animals have played a huge role in my life. I've always admired animals and their ability to live in the moment without ruminating in the past or dreaming of the future. The animal spirit is powerful and can be portrayed in so many different ways.
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As a kid, I remember being in the car with my parents, driving down our neighborhood road. A squirrel playfully journeyed into the road, as they often do. From the back seat, I blurted out to my parents to run it over. They didn't (of course), but it's a moment of real clarity and words that changed my life forever. It was in that moment that I realized how special wildlife really is and that the voiceless can be heard through their silence.
Many years later, I still struggle coping with the reality of animal-vehicle collisions. In fact, every time I'm in a car, I think about what can be done and how I can do something to prevent these disasters. Nature is brutal, and perhaps this is just an extension of the reality for wildlife, but I pray that my paintings, however frivolous they are in the grand scheme of things, remind us of the impact humans have on the natural world, and make us all more attentive drivers.
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ABOUT MY WORK
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I love the nature of watercolor, the translucency it provides, and its light-hearted nature. The vast majority of my animal work is painted in watercolors, a spirited choice for what I hope to represent. I'm also a bird watcher, and love sharing my interpretation of these little marvels of the sky. My watercolor animals are light and airy, full of energy and movement, speckled with spirit dust, and good for the soul. I focus on capturing the spirit of my subject and tend to only paint details where attention is desired.​
I've also worked with oils creating some expressive animal works here, and more realistic works here. Both of these series, though expressed at different ends of a spectrum, were created to celebrate the vast diversity of life on our planet and the pure souls that these creatures possess.
TODAY
My studio is located in East Lansing, Michigan, home of the Michigan State Spartans. I'm just a few minutes from campus and often find myself on campus searching for inspiration.
When I'm not painting, I'm usually spending time with my two daughters and wife, golfing, working in the yard, sky watching, or relaxing with my extended family.
“You are a child of the universe no less than the trees and the stars; you have a right to be here. And whether or not it is clear to you, no doubt the universe is unfolding as it should.”
-Max Ehrman from Desiderata