About Erin

The Basics:

Why the name Orange Cone Studios? Well, it involves shenanigans and orange traffic cones with my best friend from college. As an inside joke between us, we thought it would be a fun name for a website!

I have been an artist ever since I could pick up a pen. I totally count those early stick figures and scribbles too. I have loved art since and have never looked back. As a result, I earned a BFA from Appalachian State University with concentrations in ceramics and jewelry. 

As with most art degrees, trying to find a job in that field after school proved a challenge. So, I ultimately decided to go back to school. I went to Durham Technical Community College and earned an associate’s degree in applied science in dental laboratory technology. I now use my artistic skills and love of learning to teach dental lab at Durham Tech. I still create in the evenings and on weekends or when I get the chance. I love to dabble in many mediums as you can undoubtedly see by the work in my gallery.

When I am not teaching or making art you can find me playing Dungeons & Dragons, watching Critical Role, anime, or movies, and hanging out with my three dogs and husband.

About the Art:

I certainly enjoy all kinds of art and am largely influenced by many diverse artists around. I have been especially fascinated by the world of fantasy since my childhood. An inspiration you will definitely find in most of my pieces. Regardless of the medium I use, I aim to create pieces that are fun and can be enjoyed by a wide variety of people. Most of my jewelry is made from a combination of new and reclaimed elements found from thrift stores. 

My ceramic work comes from playing around with new ideas and techniques that I have acquired over the years. I don’t know if I fit into a painting category, but I love painting birds and mixing different elements of texture. I created Pen-art as a fun illustration series. The originals are hand-drawn with pen and markers on three-inch squares. Pen the penguin and his best friend Goldie (the fish) are always up to shenanigans. Lately, I’ve been making stickers of my bird prints, and there are also certain illustrations I’ve drawn that are only offered in sticker form.