Meet Ernie Markers | Artist and Creative

We had the good fortune of connecting with Ernie Markers and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Ernie, what led you to pursuing a creative path professionally?
I strongly believe that I was put here to build and create. Knowing that there are many people who have built an entire career out of just doing what they love has always moved me. I have family members who started their own businesses from the ground up. My father started his own construction/landscaping business in 2004, and my uncle started a tattoo career after college. These 2 men are my prime examples of what it means to make a career out of yourself and to go out there and hustle for it. I’ve always had this feeling that working for someone else is always a no for me. The first time I got a bit of what it feels like working on my own was during the pandemic, as I was laid off for the time being I knew I still had to find some source of income, I promoted more illustration or graphic design work at the time and it really helped me out for the time being. I never decided to choose the artistic route for the money, I do it because I have a deep sense of gratuity love and respect for the game. I love to paint I love to learn new ways to create by using different tools. I especially love the fact that they say that whatever you think from your head and transfer it to what it comes out in real life, now that is what you call inspiring. Creating also helps me out therapeutically and psychologically, it helps me forget about my problems and issues on the outside world and just lets me concentrate and let me be in my zone. To make a career where you are comfortable, working on your own schedule, unbothered, and making an earnest living, what more could anyone want from that?

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
I like to keep my art to be very colorful and vibrant, I use many influences from graffiti to vintage cartoon relics to make something that is very interesting to create, I like to keep everything 2D. The reason is because I was influenced by watching cartoons as a younger age so one day I hope all of my paintings together conforms like a big cartoon show. What sets aside me from everyone else is honestly nothing crazy but the fact its that I’m still young and full of dedication, so for me there will be more time to figure out my process in painting and developing a new style when I will unlock it and how I will portray it. The process of where you need to be is never easy, and I never want to jump on the agenda of “fake it, till you make it” because to me it sounds artificial, and I’m never one to impress anyone by faking it, I believe at this moment I’m still not where I want to be, but I’m at a better place than I was yesterday. I have a bit more growth in my career now then what I did 2 years ago so I’m not complaining. I’ve learned along the way that success doesn’t just fall into your lap or comes overnight. One literally needs to put in the work and go for it, I’ve made many paintings that never got sold or put into galleries for shows, but I never gave up. I either just repaint it or if one of my followers actually enjoys this piece I made and never see a dime, I just gift it to them. Never do art for the money. I want the world to see that my possibilities are very endless and hoping one day that my art can actually change the world for the better.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
Well living in one of the most amazing cities in the world, there are many things to do in miami. Wynwood is always a #1 nice spot for tourists and art lovers to go, I always enjoy taking people out to Wynwood checking out galleries and some nice lounge spots. What I also love to go is to the Hollywood beach and take a nice stroll over there. Brickell is a very beautiful place to go to at night in the downtown area. I love going to events, so if any events would happen in lets say the Kaseya Center, I would say “Hey, you want to go watch the Heat Game?” I also like to go a little bit more outside of miami, Florida Keys or even more up like FT. Lauderdale or Dania Beach. I would also love to go on runs or go somewhere where there’s a lot of nature, there’s this place called Cauley Square down in the Goulds, lots of nice restaraunts and just a beautiful place to go and enjoy nature everywhere. The everglades are nice to go too if you want to see gators and stuff too.

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
There are so many people in my life who have all believed me and supported me on this artistic journey.

One of the people I want to give her flowers to is my grandma Nerliz Guademuz, from heaven above. She has always been one to push me and believed that I would make a living doing what I would like to do. She has made a very impact on everyone around her, not just my family but everyone else. I miss you everyday

Another person who I’ll give credits to next is to to my uncle Junk Lainez. My uncle is a big artist here in South Florida and he’s been more than an uncle to me, he’s been a mentor and a big brother to me my whole life. He’s given me knowledge and influence me to do what I’m most passionate about and to go make my mark on the streets!

Website: https://erniemarkers.bigcartel.com

Instagram: @erniemarkers

Other: Email- erniemarkers@gmail.com

Image Credits
Image credits to Nerliz Guademuz. Junk Lainez, and clients..