Erica
“Being a woman makes me unbelievably proud. Women experience things, like womanhood, pregnancy, and gender inequality - things that men can just simply not understand because they don’t experience it. It’s almost a wall of resilience and strength that’s built up within us as we grow into ourselves.”
Erica is a creative badass, starting her own design company that makes female empowerment tangible. Her art intends to bond, strengthen, and inspire women to reach their full potential, all in a visibly stunning manner. Her work illustrates and highlights a range of topics – including daily affirmations, inspirational women, mental health, and the female experience. She is undoubtedly talented, encouraging of those around her, and driven. Meet Erica. This is her story.
Erica in her studio (her happy place)
K: Please introduce yourself!
E: Hi! I’m Erica, Founder, Artist and Brand Strategist at The Blank Canvas Co. - a Boston-based creative brand that empowers women through bold + bright handmade designs inspired by positivity. I'm a day dreamer, Netflix streamer and candy corn eater. My sole purpose and passion is to use my artwork to unleash women's inner badass (and to spread good vibes, of course). I’m a Product Marketing Manager of Innovation and by night, I transform into a fierce female entrepreneur chasing my design dreams + taking names along the way. I'm a self-taught artist, suburb-turned-city girl, and a New Englander at heart. When I'm not painting, you can find me:
-Binge watching dog videos on Tik Tok (It’s an obsession).
-Sipping a cappuccino at an aesthetically dope cafe.
-Eating my body weight in pasta at a local restaurant.
-Building an aggressive travel itinerary in Microsoft Excel.
-Drinking cabernet out of an oversized wine glass.
-Running by the beach or crushing a yoga class. I like to nama-stay fit.
K: Describe yourself in your own words
E: I’m a pisces through and through - spiritual, romantic, empathetic, emotional AF, and, of course, creative. I am a serial learner and a productivity-freak.
K: What is your favorite thing about yourself?
E: My favorite thing about myself is my emotional intelligence and ability to understand and relate to others. I feel others' emotions and situations deeply as if they're my own. I really enjoy listening and try to always respond from the heart.
K: Tell us a story. Have you had an experience that’s defined you or made you stronger?
E: In the beginning of 2020 (before the pandemic), I was laid off from my job as a Marketing Supervisor at Arnold, Worldwide. It was emotionally draining and financially unnerving, but it truly forced me to dig deep and focus on my long term career goals. I made a promise to myself that I would hold out for the right job - not the first job that came around, or the job that paid the most. I promised myself I'd fight for my own happiness - always. It really made me more resilient and connected to myself and my dreams - and allowed me to share my positive perspective and learnings with others when they were out of work due to COVID.
K: What is one piece of advice you would give to your younger self?
E: Ugh, I'd say so many things! But I think the biggest thing would be: Trust yourself and don't be afraid to use your voice. You have all of the answers within you, so spread that knowledge like butter!
K: What does being a woman mean to you?
E: Being a woman makes me unbelievably proud. Women experience things, like womanhood, pregnancy, and gender inequality - things that men can just simply not understand because they don't experience it. It's almost a wall of resilience and strength that's built up within us as we grow into ourselves. It's something that bonds us as women, and certainly helps me personally appreciate the experiences that other fierce females around me have gone through.
K: Who is one woman that inspires you? What would you say to her if she were here now?
E: I'm blessed with so many incredibly strong and motivating women in my life. I'd be remiss to not mention my nana, my mom and my sister - the three women closest to me that have shaped me into the woman I've become. They've all experienced their own struggles and continue to thrive and grow despite setbacks. I am also extremely inspired by Beyoncé. To me, she is the symbol of the women I strive to be.