' Art is everything & sometimes simply an essence.
It is the tool that I use & that uses me in return.
It is my best & most critical friend.
But these words mean nothing by themselves...
the work - the active process - is what matters most. '
- eric
Eric Anfinson's painting journey began in the fall of 2001 after he moved to a 2x4 mile island where the Gulf of Mexico & the Atlantic meet.
Anfinson is part of a well-established creative collective in Key West, Florida . . . an island known affectionately by locals as 'the rock'. The remote location & unique community continue to offer rich subject matter for Anfinson's work.
The people that call this island home, & those who pass through, live on in the faces & figures in Anfinson's paintings.
A self-trained painter, Anfinson's work is in collections throughout North America & Europe.
Anfinson, a native of Minnesota, paints full-time from his home-based Mockingbird Studio in Key West, Florida.
Mockingbird Studio - owner : Key West, FL / 2007 – present
Studio artist : The Lemonade Stand Studio & Gallery - Key West, FL / 2003– 2007
SOLO EXHIBITIONS
Self Titled : Gingerbread Square Gallery - Key West, FL / March 9, 2020
Without Within : The Studios of Key West - Key West, FL / March 1-29, 2018
Beautiful Life : Salt Gallery - Key West, FL / March 4 - 30, 2017
Red : Salt Gallery - Key West, FL / April 2 - 29, 2016
Underglimmer : Salt Gallery - Key West, FL / March 21 - April 18, 2015
Feeling Vision : Fleming Street Gallery - Key West, FL / March 16 - 28, 2013
Paintings : Albert Lea Art Museum - Albert Lea, MN / August 28 - Sept 15, 2012
The Blue Guitar : Fleming Street Gallery - Key West, FL / January 7 - 26, 2012
New Work : Outeast Gallery - Mantauk, New York / July 2010
New Paintings : Gallery ART612 - Key West, FL / April 2010
The Blue Thread ~ One Life Beautiful Life : The Studios of Key West - Key West, FL / April 4 – May 24, 2008
Solstice : The Lemonade Stand Studio & Gallery - Key West, FL / June 21 – July 6, 2006
Two : The Lemonade Stand Studio & Gallery - Key West, FL / Feb 17 – March 3, 2006
One : The Lemonade Stand Studio & Gallery - Key West, FL / April 17, 2005
SELECTED GROUP SHOWS
Portrait Invitational : JAG Gallery - Key West, FL / July 31, 2020
Untitled : Lucky Street Gallery - Key West, FL / April 19, 2019
Grand Opening : Black Earth Gallery - Cedar Rapids, IA September 1, 2012
Featured Artist + Purchase Award : Austin Artworks - Austin, MN / August 25-26, 2012
Peace : Lucky Street Gallery - Key West, FL / 2010
Group Show : Lucky Street Gallery - Key West, FL / 2010
SPCTCLR VWS : One Brooklyn - New York / 2009
24 Hour Lock-In : The Lemonade Stand Studio & Gallery - Key West, FL / 2005, 2006, 2007
Art Wine and Water : Historic Seaport - Key West, FL / 2007
Anne Mckee Artist Fund : East Martello, Key West, FL / 2005, 2007, 2008, 2009
The Secret of Salt - release exhibition : Salt Studio - Key West, FL / 2006, 2007, 2008
Groundswell : Salt Studio - Key West, FL / 2005
BOOKS
Along The Edges of Beauty - 2011 : author
Art is Life - The Art of Eric Anfinson - 2010 : by John R. Strain
COMMISSIONS / ART IN PUBLIC PLACES
'Keeper of Time' : Pacelli High School - permanent display : Austin, MN / 2012
'Hometown' : Austin Senior High School - permanent display : Austin, MN / 2012
'The Golden Fish' : Austin Middle School - permanent display : Austin, MN / 2012
'The Bravest Girl' : The Hormel Institute - permanent display : Austin, MN / 2012
'The Red Balloon' : Austin Seniors' Center - permanent display : Austin, MN / 2011
'Sunflower Girl' : The Hormel Institute - permanent display : Austin, MN / Dedicated Oct 4, 2008
BOARDS
Second Vice President - Executive Board - The Studios of Key West 2020 - 2022
Board Member : The Studios of Key West - 2019- 2022
Artist Advisory Board Member : The Studios of Key West - 2014 - present