Erin Wenke

Erin Wenke | Registration Error | 2024

How did your background in printmaking influence your digital work today?

It actually doesn’t influence my work technically as much as it does philosophically. Sure, I create my art while thinking, “how could I reproduce this as a print?” But what I find myself drawn to most is the aesthetics of the medium and what they represent, like in Registration Error. Screenprinting is my favorite printmaking technique. So, the CMYK separations, the halftones, the concept of multiples.. I love the imagery, and I love ascribing meaning to it. Even when I don’t have access to a print shop anymore, I carry the fondness I have for the craft in my digital art. There are so many ideas buzzing around in my head of how to pay homage to printmaking as an art form. I learned it during an important, transformative time of my life, and I want to put a spotlight on how significant it has been, both to me, and to humanity for thousands of years.

What themes or emotions are you most drawn to exploring through your art?

I’m kind of a nervous person, so feelings such as dread and anxiety come up naturally in my work. It’s cathartic to create visuals for things you’re feeling and may be unable to verbalize. These deep-seated negative emotions can shape how we see the world around us and how we interact with others. I want to capture that in my art as a way to process these feelings- grief, shame, fear, disgust, and more– and hopefully, leave them behind one day.

Erin Wenke | Mild Headache | 2023

Can you walk us through your creative process—from idea to finished piece?

When I initially have an idea, after gathering my references, I often go through three or four different base sketches to get a feel of what I’ll be working on. Sometimes each draft is subtly different, and other times the idea completely transforms. I don’t have a painterly style, and instead opt for thick, robust lineart. You would die of boredom watching me, because I’ll draw and redraw the same line over and over again until I like it. Depending on what the piece calls for, I’ll add halftones, or crosshatching, or varying line weight to create the illusion of depth. Then for the coloring process, I’ll often start out in grayscale and map out the values before applying a palette once the contrast is just right. I turn the large blocks of color into smooth gradients, and add highlights as a finishing touch. One piece can take anywhere from four to six hours in total.

Your style combines intensity and vulnerability. What artists or movements have inspired you?

I find a lot of influence in post-impressionism. The color palettes that catch your eye, the pleasing textures, and the vivid portraiture. Van Gogh in particular motivates me not just with his prolific body of work, but his devotion to art itself. When it comes to my techniques and drawing style, however, I also take inspiration from the dynamic, compelling linework and storytelling of manga artists such as Junji Ito and Hirohiko Araki. Going back to revisit the amazing narratives they’ve created and shared with millions always gets me excited to make my own. But at the end of the day, there’s something to learn from every artist and every movement, and I try to internalize that as a viewer.

Erin Wenke | Cynocephalus | 2023

Do you consider your work autobiographical, symbolic, or a mix of both?

A mix of both, but definitely more symbolic than autobiographical. I’d say my art comes from feelings and thoughts as opposed to experiences. For example, one of my favorite pieces of mine is Cynocephalus, depicting the titular mythological creature with the head of a dog, accompanied by Psalm 51:10. I wasn’t raised in a religious household, but I certainly could see myself in the sorrowful character, weeping and begging to be changed into something better by God. I wanted to use the myth and its imagery to represent those feelings we all struggle with from time to time.

The use of color and light in your work creates a surreal, almost digital texture. What tools or techniques help you achieve that?

I’m able to fully realize my art because of what Procreate offers as a drawing program. They’ve got so many brushes available and the software is so sophisticated, it can feel just like drawing with a real pencil. Once I’m done mapping out the values in grayscale, the gradient map tool helps me apply color palettes easily. Additionally, I use True Grit Texture Supply brushes to add halftones and patterns that really help bring everything together.

Erin Wenke | Cycle Of Shame | 2024

Do you see your art as therapeutic—for yourself or for the viewer?

For myself, absolutely. I always feel antsy when I haven’t drawn anything in a while, especially if I’m struggling with an art block. But once I’m finished and I put down the pencil, I get a sense of relief, as if I’ve gotten a huge weight off of my shoulders. It’s like the feeling you get after a good cry and let out some emotions you may not know you had bottled up. Even in the cases where I’m not particularly pleased with the end result, I’m still grateful I was able to create something. Having the ability to express myself this way has been my biggest motivator. On the other hand, it would be nothing short of amazing to have my art provide the same relief to others as it has for me. I would love for other people to see themselves in what I create, and that’s something I’ll always strive for: to acknowledge and validate the viewer as well as myself.