OFF THE RECORD
Erick Sandlin and His Spray Paint Artistry
By Paul Bowers
The Houston Lawyer
A
ton in 2008, he had a house with big walls and no décor, so s attorneys, we always prefer hard evidence, solid he made his own. Three works later, and friends were encase law, and a fairly clear path to winning our couraging him to make more to sell. A coffee shop wanted to client’s case. Neither an attorney nor a client hire him to create art for them in 2009, and now he is creatwould be happy with a laid-back approach, letting ing works for churchthe process es, vendor donations, meander, and leaving and commissions. a result mostly up to He prefers the work chance. But that is to be fluid and unreexactly what the nonstricted. He says he is legal clients of Erick most alive as an artist Sandlin want. when he can create Erick Sandlin Diffident –Spray Paint on Canvas, 24x24” Thought Experiments –Spray Paint on Canvas, 48x60” Is This Gloria? –Spray Paint on Canvas, 36x36” from the mind frame is Senior Counsel of “whatever hapat Bracewell LLP’s pens, happens.” He Houston office. He paints in his backis also an artist. His yard, allowing the work right now is weather have a say in the area of spray whenever appropripaint art. ate. He says the avBuyers and fans of erage hardware store Erick’s spray paint also plays a role. pieces appreciate his “Whatever I pick up non-objective ap—spray cans, lids, proach to creating paint thinner, sticks, each piece. Someduct tape, buckets, times a buyer will who knows— can give Erick an idea of end up in the creative what they are looking process.” He paints for, but he does not Artist and lawyer Erick Sandlin uses spray paint as part of his creative process. mostly on canvas, but sometimes on wood. know or guarantee how it will turn out. He uses the items Erick says he draws inspiration from many artists, specifiavailable to him and begins his process, letting the paintcally Willem de Kooning and Mark Rothko (Mark Rothko: A ing guide his direction. With this approach, he has steadily Retrospective recently was on exhibition at Museum of Fine risen from the humble beginnings of painting as a hobby to Arts, Houston). “I like the contrast between their works,” he selling pieces around the Houston Heights. says. His clients should appreciate his, as well. When it comes to describing his journey as an artist, Erick doesn’t mince words: “I always liked art, but I was terrible at it growing up.” While clerking in Austin in 2007, he decidPaul Bowers is an attorney in Houston. A 2011 graduate of ed to randomly make one painting. “This was one last shot South Texas College of Law, he is a member of The Houston where it didn’t have to be perfect.” After he moved to HousLawyer editorial board.. 38
March/April 2016
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