Artospective: Figurative Paintings by Eric Zener.

Gliding

An Interview with Eric Zener.

Who and where are you from?

I am from California. I live just across the San Francisco Bay and my studio is in Sausalito on the water. I grew up mainly in Southern California, lived in Australia and Spain later, and have spent the last 25 years here.

How you got into this?

I as child I loved making art, and lived in a household that was creative. After college I awakened that joy of painting again and painted at first for a hobby, and then shortly after dedicated it to my career. I have been painting full time professionally now for almost 30 years.

What is your driving force?

It slowly just because “who you are” more than a driving force. That said I am drawn to the creative world as a whole. I react emotionally and viscerally to music, art, film etc. Painting for me is an exploration of thoughts and ideas and emotions - ofter cathartic or illustrative of the things I think and value.

What kind of work you do and why?

I paint images that speak to the universal yearning to transform and evolve as a person. I use water as a great abyss to escape into the vulnerability of searching. Sleep as the mysterious place 8 hours we go into another world to escape and dream. Other imagery is largely about the similar concept of personal reflection and transformation.