Meet Virginia Erdie | Fine Artist and Art Therapist

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

Hi Virginia, why did you decide to pursue a creative path?
I pursued an artistic career because drawing was the only thing that I was interested in as a child and I excelled at it. I was (still am) an introvert by nature and drawing allowed me to avoid others and to become more involved with the my unconscious mind; also reading sci fi novels and riding my pony out on our 200 acre farm (so art, science, nature).

I abandoned art during the insane adolescent years of my life, trying to be a part of all of the clubs and clicks. I actually had a few panic attacks during this period of time because I wasn’t being true to myself; thankfully was not hospitalized.

After that I won scholarships and became immersed in art, traveling, and different cultures. I attend the Maryland Institute, College of Art and the Art Institute of Chicago. I experienced art and culture and became involved in many social activist projects and shows and installations, running two galleries in Wynwood Art District in Miami, FL. I also provided art therapy services (I’m a Board Certified Art Therapist) to children and adults in Chicago and Miami. I still provide these services today in South Florida.

The painting process is very important to my mental health and I believe art is important for everyone’s mental health, thus my Sunbiz business “Evolution Through Art by Virginia Erdie”.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
There are a multitude of talented and creative artists in Miami. My work is heartfelt and often does not fit the typical “body of work” in that it is diverse; from my surreal period of art making where things were dark and I worked as an art therapist with the criminally insane, to the abstract period of time where I was reading about string theory, parallel universes and membrane theory of the universe – those themes influencing my work. I also was inspired by Judy Polstra’s adornment of chairs and other things with her found objects and creations, and I built 4 thrones, each one different from the next.

I’m most proud of my social activist art representing sex trafficking facts and atrocities; the phallus sculpture that represents war; the gender bar paintings that represent gender stereotypes; and other social statements that have sometimes caused me to be ejected by studios because of its shock value.

The challenges were many – mostly monetary but often political – and I overcame them because I had no choice but to be myself and create art. I was also challenged finding work as an art therapist and took on every other title – activity therapist, rehabilitation therapist – to make a living. I also worked as a secretary for years to make money. Here I observed the absurdities of hierarchies and corporate slavery, which further fueled my work.

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.
When my best friend comes to town we always strive to drive down to Key West. It’s such an amazing place where, as artists, we feel uninhibited. My best friend Amy (Lexi) Zehren and I once drove from Chicago to Key West (she still lives in Chicago) when we were young and wild. Those swashbuckling adventure memories will always remain as some of my most formative years. I also love Flamingo Gardens and Butterfly World. There are many nature parks around the area.

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?
I am grateful for the folks at The Maryland Institute College of Art – Printmaking chairs Allegra Ockler and the late John Sparks. MICA exposed me to so much art and to other artists from all over the world. This also afforded me the opportunity to study in London as an exchange student. I am also grateful for so many true friends and artists who encouraged me to continue on my path and who saw me through some Erika Jong-type and some Sylvia Plath-type times. Those were wild days (decades). The galleries and publicists who believed in me helped me to write my autobiography.

My husband supported and encouraged me to run my own galleries, where I represented other artists and also taught art and did art therapy for children and teens.

My mother was an artist and I was inspired by watching her sculpt figurines from clay and make Christmas cards with pen and inkwell. She would have pursued her journey as an artist in different times.

Website: https://www.virginiaerdie.com