Today we’d like to introduce you to Erin Joshi.
Hi Erin, it’s an honor to have you on the platform. Thanks for taking the time to share your story with us – to start maybe you can share some of your backstory with our readers?
The path I took to becoming an artist was circuitous. I was about four when someone first asked the question, “What do you want to be when you grow up?” I confidently replied, “an artist!” My head was always full of concepts to create with my hands, so what could be more fitting? Trouble was, I soon discovered that the results of my tinkering never quite lived up to the grand visions in my mind. I blamed this on lack of talent, when what I really lacked was maturity and experience. Like so many kids, I grew up, cycled through various other interests, and settled on a path that was more practical: law school.
While I chose an interesting area of government practice in the exciting city of Washington, DC., I soon grew antsy. Each day I awoke with the feeling that I had boarded the wrong train and I had to shake the urge to abandon the journey before I’d gone too far in the wrong direction. But what kind of person leaves a career as an attorney? A crazy one, according to friends and colleagues! But crazy or not, I needed to chart a new course for myself, even if I didn’t know exactly where I was headed.
In my search, I started a small gardening business, wrote children’s book manuscripts, ran a “Mommy Camp” for my kids, and refinished second-hand furniture. One fateful day, I decided to try my hand at creating wall art using a scrap of plywood as my canvas. I was hooked!
I graduated from plywood to canvas and from house paint to acrylics, and soon I was painting all the time. I began participating in exhibitions and submitting my work to art shows. At one of these events, I stumbled across a local art non-profit called Chevy Chase Art (Ch/Art), and signed up to join its amazing group of nearly 150 artists. Now I am in my second year leading Ch/Art’s annual Art Walk, an open studio event that will take place October 18 and 19, 2025. After that, it will be my privilege to assume the role of Ch/Art Board Chair.
It may have been a circuitous path, but I have no regrets. My creative passions and executive skills have finally found balance in a role that is truly fulfilling.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
I think any mid-life career change presents challenges and obstacles. Having switched from a career for which I had all the right degrees and qualifications to one for which I have none(!), I confess to battling imposter syndrome, especially in the beginning. The antidote to this was to surround myself with talented, innovative artists who both encourage and applaud my accomplishments while challenging me to grow and improve.
Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
I think what sets me apart is my stubborn unwillingness to settle on a singular compositional style or subject matter. Part of what I find freeing and exciting about art is being able to explore new scenes and approaches. I think there is a great deal of pressure on artists to develop a “signature style” that defines their artistry and while I admire that, I have not arrived at a single focus just yet.
I paint a diverse range of compositions, from animals to food and drinks, flowers, landscapes, and cityscapes. An artist friend recently gave me what I took as a great compliment, saying that my varied work exudes a common feel of serenity. Ultimately, my goal is to capture the essence of my subjects in a way that invites the viewer into the scene.
We love surprises, fun facts and unexpected stories. Is there something you can share that might surprise us?
Outside a close circle of friends and family, I was a very shy child. I absolutely dreaded those “getting to know you” games at school and camp for fear my mind would go blank when called upon to recite everyone’s names in front of the group. I was not bold, loud, or assertive in new settings. I let others take the limelight.
While creating art is not easy, the part I find most challenging is posting it to the world and putting myself out there for all to see! It took the support of many mentors and advocates to find that courage and learn how to leverage my softer style and temperament to both create and lead.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.artbyerinj.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/art_by_erinj/
- Other: https://www.chevychaseart.org/artists-j-q/erin-joshi
