MaKayla Erickson is an emerging figure artist and trained dancer whose work explores the powerful connections between movement, emotion, and the human form. In this interview, she shares how her background in dance influences her art, especially in capturing the feeling and flow of human motion. MaKayla talks about her creative process, using different art materials to express complex emotions, and how dance helps her understand the body’s movements more deeply. She also discusses the themes of support, connection, and gratitude in her work, especially in her piece Lift the Hands Which Hang Down.

MaKayla Erickson is a featured artist in our book “Lines And Curves.” You can explore her journey and the stories of other artists by purchasing the book here: https://shop.artstoheartsproject.com/products/the-creative-process-book

MaKayla Erickson is an emerging figure artist and trained dancer. She is currently exploring the language of human position and motion and their powerful connections to emotion and expression. With a background in art and dance, she aims to create work that visually embodies the complexities of movement and the feelings it can evoke. MaKayla resides in San Tan Valley, Arizona, where she continues to build her practice.

Her portfolio spans a variety of mediums, including oil paint, acrylic, pen and ink, charcoal, graphite, scratchboard, linoleum and intaglio printmaking, and collage. Each medium is chosen with specific intent, carefully selected to communicate the concept, experience, or physical attribute she aims to convey. This diversity of approach allows her to engage with each piece flexibly and purposefully.

MaKayla’s style incorporates interconnected lines and forms, which she uses to express the inherent interrelation of all things. She believes this sense of connection helps viewers relate to the subjects in her work. Her use of varying degrees of abstraction is intended to make these themes more accessible. Often, she employs “attributed” color and shapes to reflect the physical and emotional sensations tied to the experiences she depicts, encouraging viewers to engage on a visceral level.

MaKayla also weaves subtle religious themes in her work, seeing a beautiful, intrinsic connection between the divine and the human form. Through her art, she seeks to inspire viewers to experience a deeper, bodily understanding of themselves and cultivate a sense of gratitude for the profound gift of movement and expression.

1. MaKayla, as a trained dancer, how does your dance background influence your artwork, especially in capturing movement and emotion?

My dance knowledge, precisely “Somatics,” helps me understand the human body. Somatics is learning how you feel in your body, understanding its unique abilities or limits, how things work, and how specific movements make you feel physically and mentally. I can apply those questions to the moment as I dance or move. I take notes in my sketchbook and draw small doodles or diagrams emphasizing parts of the body that are used the most or that catch my attention in a way I wasn’t expecting. I assign shapes or colors to certain things, for example, blue, purple, grey, and green, since they are cool colors to things like clothing, shadows, and hair, providing a contrast with the physical body, which is warm colors, yellows, oranges, and reds. Most of the things I observe feel rounded to me because they are in motion and feel a little more continuous, compared to a different moment that is still, sharp, or held, which feels more geometric. Being in ballet, ballroom, or world and learning moves that are built upon also helps me understand how muscles work in tandem. In dance, you are trained to let emotions flow out of you, and as they do, they become attached to the movement. The more I learn about how the human body works, the better I can be abstracted.

Sometimes, I can’t just pull the image of the figure out of my head, so I’ll put on some music and explore that concept through dancing or moving, till I gather a few ideas I like.

MaKayla Erickson

2. With degrees in Art and Dance, how do these two fields work together in your creative process?

My creative process is a bit messy and protracted. I usually begin by brainstorming ideas, words, and concepts, writing them down as they flow. I then pick out some that speak to me, sometimes combining them. Then, I sketched out figures that I felt would work. Other times, I have a figure in my head, so I do that process in reverse, sketching forms and exploring things as an image before I move on to dissecting the feeling coming from the figure. For example, if the initial idea I would like to focus on is “home”, home can be anywhere I feel peace and peace is a feeling that I get mostly in my chest, shoulders, and arms. My chest feels warm and calm, and my shoulders and arms relax. Now I know where in the body I think that concept and focus on creating figures that focus on that area. Sometimes, I can’t just pull the image of the figure out of my head, so I’ll put on some music and explore that concept through dancing or moving till I gather a few ideas I like. I’ll explore things more and then jump right into the piece!

3. You’ve had both solo and group shows. How does your approach differ for each, and what do you want people to take away from your work?

When it comes to a solo show, it is a time to share all the work you feel proud of, and that fits together within a cohesive idea. That means my primary approach is to design my concept so that my pieces share an idea or feeling about my chosen theme. When it comes to group shows, I usually try to find a few pieces that fit the theme or style of the exhibition and submit them. Ultimately, in sharing my work in public settings, I want people to first spend a little more time understanding their bodies, becoming more self-aware, and finding new feelings or relations with the things and people around them. Secondly, I want viewers to feel gratitude mixed with awe for what a fantastic gift having a body is.

4. Being featured in publications like The Outlet, Lines and Curves, and Art and Woman By Arts to Hearts Project is a significant achievement. How has being published helped you connect with your audience?

Publications are a fantastic way to share a more in-depth look into my process, story, style, and plan. Books and interviews, I think, lend a lot of credibility to people. They act as another way for me to share my work and thoughts with others and build a community of support and enjoyment. Also, in a few years, it will be nice to reflect on what I’ve written down about my process and hoped for my work and see how much I’ve grown.

I want viewers to feel a bit of gratitude mixed with awe for what an amazing gift having a body is.

MaKayla Erickson

5. Your “Lift the Hands Which Hang Down” exhibition sounds powerful. What inspired this work, and what does it mean to you?

So my church, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, every 3 years hosts an international art competition. There are two jurying rounds, and they end up with 150 religious artworks that fit according to the theme. They are shown for under a year at a museum in Salt Lake City, Utah. This exhibition’s theme is Lift the Hands Which Hang Down, reflecting how we as humans should be working to comfort, love, and support those around us who are going through difficult times just like our Savior, Jesus Christ, did. My piece Succurri depicts four entangled figures, all simultaneously falling against one another while supporting another near them. It creates a beautiful loop of support amidst difficulty that is ultimately returned in a time of need. The smokey back charcoal background that mirrors the figures gives a sense of lift as they rise. I created the piece by noticing that when I feel like I’m falling and take the time to look outside myself to lift another, I am rewarded by being lifted in ways that I never dreamed of.

6. You’ve earned the Eliza R. Snow Exemplary Student Award. How do these recognitions affect your confidence and drive as an artist?

You can’t expect rewards as an artist, but they will come at unexpected times for unexpected things. However, now and again, when I receive recognition from others for the progress or influence a piece has had, it makes me feel like the things that I deem essential to be created and shared with the world are making an impact outside of myself, and that makes me happy.

MaKayla Erickson’s art explores the human form, movement, and emotion. With a unique blend of dance and visual art, she captures the intricacies of the body in motion and its profound emotional resonance. To learn more about Makayla, click the following links to visit her profile.

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