Coming Together on Shaky Ground
Erin Ebert
9x 12 inches, acrylic on canvas
Made possible by the Center for Latter-day Saint Arts, Art for Uncertain Times project.
A series of small events that acted like cracks in a once solid foundation…
Prior to the COVID-19 pandemic, my life, like many other people, had a certain sense of stability to it. Short and long term goals were made and were being methodically worked toward. The systems and processes my family had in place was working well enough. Our schedule was both full and fulfilling. Career paths were sound, educational and extracurricular activities promised glowing opportunities, and we pressed forward steadily. Ever since the news broke of the pandemic, we have seen our former lives fall out from under us. Not in one singular day or event, but through a series of smaller events that acted like cracks in a once solid foundation. It wasn’t long until crumbling began and large gaps formed. Even now it seems like every new day brings a gust of news that takes a small chunk out of both our plans and our confidence. As a natural reaction to the changes around us, we have come closer together. We are reaching to each other for support and will huddle together on the one piece of ground that we know will remain solid for us. That solid ground consists of things a virus can’t infect; our testimonies, our love, our talents, the sunshine, our hope, our opportunities to serve, etc. Everything else has been and may continue to crumble. —Erin Ebert, 2020
About the work
The process came about from my desire to work with mixed media for this piece. The complex circumstances that this piece is based on are messy and inconsistent. I wanted to use materials that felt equally raw, unexpected, and messy. I built up overlapping layers of muslin for the background, and used panels of gator board covered with mesh for the earth. I applied alternating thick and thin layers of paint in horizontal lines using both print and foam rollers.
Erin Ebert
enjoys a busy life with a husband, two teenagers and two dogs. She’s always been an artist, though professionally she pursued a successful career as an interior designer for nearly twenty years. She recently retired to pursue fine arts full-time. Currently, she is learning, practicing, and fine-tuning her techniques, while exploring different mediums, styles, and subject matter to develop her artistic voice. She is involved in the art community and fortunate to have the support of her family (and two dogs) in her work. You can find more of her work @erinebert.artist.