The first moment I realized I wanted to create the art I make today was when I was six years old. I had just moved to Raleigh, NC, from Wilmington, NC. Previously, I had lived with my grandparents, aunt, and cousin, so moving to Raleigh was a huge adjustment. The only person I knew was my mom. As a way to cope with this major change, I started drawing. I was inspired by a skateboard my uncle had, labeled “The Executioner,” which featured a yellow and green dragon crouched on some skulls. It reminded me of home and how my cousins and I would share riding it. I began drawing for my classmates, and I loved their reactions to what I created. It was during that time I realized I wanted to be an artist. Creating something from nothing always seemed like an incredible concept.

During that period, I was afraid of many things and often had nightmares. One way I fought back was by drawing characters stronger than my fears. I imagined them in my dreams, battling my nightmares. Afterward, I would wake up and draw them. Since then, I’ve primarily focused on becoming a better artist. My mom supported me by enrolling me in art programs and classes. I would stay up all night drawing, painting, and doing whatever I could to improve. I always believed it wasn’t about today; it was about where I would be a year or ten years from now.

The most profound moment I’ve had so far was when I visited my uncle and his friend Ivy Hayes. We spent hours with Ivy as he showed us his current projects, talked about life, art, and how everything connected. I brought my work to show him, and he told me that I was holding back and could push myself further as an artist. He encouraged me to improve by simply being myself. He suggested that I should set myself free from others’ opinions. I’ll never forget when he said, “When you don’t ask others to critique your work, that’s when you know you’ve mastered your craft. You’ll know when you know.” He saw something in me at that time that I did not see in myself. After that conversation, I spent a year studying my craft. I drew, painted, read books, and studied the masters of art. I absorbed as much as I could, and in the process, I developed my own style—what you see now. I was happier, and my work felt more fluid and natural, not forced. I was being myself and not trying to please anyone else.

These moments are all connected by my dedication to art and creative expression. As I write this, I am 42, soon to be 43. I have dedicated the majority of my life to something I love and am passionate about. I still draw characters, not to fight my fears, but to express how I felt at the time I created them. My hope is to inspire others to create and express themselves as well. 

What is your process for creating art?
How do you typically start? Do you always work with a specific end goal in mind, or is your process more intuitive?

My process starts with random sketches during my warm up. Either I’ve started something days, weeks months before. I always start with thumbnails to get the composition down. Then I look up references for whatever my subject is. Next I’ll put on some music and get to creating. Then I’ll either draw it on paper or my iPad. I normally have a goal in mind. I plan what I’m working on meticulously. I figure out my color palette and materials before I start. I hate to have to stop and get something while work. 

How do you think your artwork impacts your ideal audience or buyer? Does it address a specific challenge or offer a particular solution?

I think my work impacts my audience by being a way to connect with their imagination and a way to express their unique taste. I’ve always thought my works shows my audience’s uniqueness. 

Alternatively, who do you create your art for, and how do you believe it influences those who engage with it? If possible, could you share a memorable reaction someone had to your work?

I create my art for me unless I’m doing a commission.  I create what I think would look cool and great in my house. I typically read books, read articles, listen to music or visit somewhere and I express my experiences.  I believe it influences people who engage with by seeing what they would normally see and often take for granted in a different way.  

I remember I did a painting for a showcase of hot pink lips smiling and a gold tooth showing. I remember thinking no one wanted it. Then someone who wore hot pink lipstick absolutely loved it and bought it. She had told me she had been looking for something like it. Most recently I created a painting of a cheeseburger with a lot of bacon on it. I had multiple people come to me and say that the boldness and how much different it was compared to what they saw from other artists is what attracted them to the piece. The gentleman that bought it was excited to have it in his house so that others could see. Plus he loved cheeseburgers.

BREAKING BOUNDARIES WITH ERIC DIXON DEC 2015

WORDS: SABRINA GALLI

"Don't give up on your dreams. If you go for what your dreams are, you get to have a good time." Eric Dixon was just about to give up when he got his break in 2013. Before he got into Beehive Studios in downtown Raleigh, he was ready to throw in the towel on a dream that had started when he was six years old. And he wasn't going to show up to the event that day, but a friend had talked him into it. Before he even got there, Eric had sold two or three pieces, which hed never done before - not even a single piece had sold. Shortly after, he joined Raw Artists Raleigh and has been doing back-to-back shows ever since. Now, he's dreaming big.

Currently, Eric is focusing on his merchandise design with Oak City Hustle. Intertwining his own passion for BMX and skating, skate decks are his big project. Five years ago, he went to a skate shop with his cousin and was, of course, drawn towards the artwork.

He noticed that most of the decks were generic logos with little creative license.

He knew he could do better, so he began to create his own. By the end of the year, Eric had 180 skate deck designs. He’s looking to release his designs for OCH by March or April of next year.

As our featured artist, Eric also designed this issue’s cover.  In true artistic fashion, each piece of his design was intentional.

He aims to recognize the people and places that have supported him throughout his career. The ‘S’ on her left arm is a symbol for Dixon's aunt who recently passed away. Although we could easily guess that the acorn is for Oak City, Dixon pays tribute to other places he’s called home (check out the ‘W’ and ‘PC’ on her right shoulder).

Eric also snuck in a bunny rabbit and an elephant for his grandpa and grandma, respectively. By letting us in on his secrets, we gain an insight into both his imagination and inspiration as an artist. When I asked to learn more, Eric brought me back to a place we all wish we could go - high school.

John Steinbeck wrote that: "The only good writer was a dead writer. Then he couldn't surprise anyone any more." In high school, Eric Dixon was told the same thing about becoming an artist.

People will only appreciate your work if you die - or if you become an art teacher. Steinbeck disagreed with this idea, suggesting that its origin comes from a discomfort with conflict.

For Dixon, his conflict began with limitations. In school, he was taught to draw from life instead of from his imagination: "I don't believe in that. If you're an artist, there are no boundaries about what you can and can't do." Eventually, Eric hopes to bring his own mentality into the classroom. He wants to teach middle and high school students how to use art to channel and express feelings in a positive light. In pursuing his own artistic career first, he aims to provide his future students with firsthand experience about how to successfully persevere as an artist.

Au Courant Magazine Sptember 9.2012

I attend most of the events put on by RAW artists at Solas. Each month, I go with the intent of coming into contact with as many talented people as possible. The event in September was no exception. I ran into the ever so talented Eric Dixon. He is a quiet. yet charming fellow and I thoroughly enjoyed getting to meet him. As soon as I saw his work, I just knew you guys would dig it, so here it goes. Eric has a unique urban style characterized by vibrant colors.

First, he sketches his subject and then scans that illustration into the computer. Next, Eric digitally manipulates that image, adding color and depth to create the final product. His combination of sketches and digital art result in a very finished and polished final product. it also allows Eric to showcase his images in various formats, such as posters and even t-shirts. The sky is the limit.

Eric was born in Wilmington, NC in 1982 and moved here to Raleigh when he was 5. He started drawing when he was 6, after being inspired by his mother and his 2nd grade teacher's son's drawings. From there he was inspired by comics, cartoons, and movies. He started drawing comics and coming up with his own characters with his best friend Booker Boomer Ill in the 4th grade. Eric remained in trouble for constantly drawing in class. He was mostly self taught until he attended high school at W.G. Enloe High. "I couldn't get in any art classes until then, except art classes in elementary school and I almost didn't have any in high school until a teacher saw me drawing in their class," Eric reminisces.

"Until then, I learned

everything about art mostly by studying art at the NC art museum, whatever I saw on TV, and my mom, he says." It was in high school that he learned about graphic design and how to do oil paintings, After high school, he was accepted into the Art Institute of Atlanta but couldn't afford to go, an unfortunate event for sure. But Eric didn't let that stop him. Instead, he attended classes at Wake Tech Community College for a year where he took some classes in graphic design. But Eric still wanted more. He decided to attend the School of Communication Arts (Living Arts College), where he studied 3D animation and digital art. It was there that he met artist and friend CJ Goode Ill who taught him to be more creative and helped him to strive for his best

After school, Eric worked freelance on various projects but was not satisfied. Then one day his uncle took him to meet Ivey Hayes, the painter. "He told me I wasn't living up to my full potential and could be better”, Eric says of the meeting. After that conversation, Eric took a year off from doing any artwork and studied art in all forms.

Eric recalls, "When I started back drawing I shut myself off from other artists, the internet and any art books that I had. All I did was sketch and draw until I found my style that was different from others.

Next thing I knew I was drawing the way I am now and that was about 5 years ago." Since then, Eric has focused his efforts on developing a brand with his own unique style and mastering his craft.

Eric had a show at the Beehive Gallery above Father and Sons on Hargett Street in July and was also part of the RAW September showcase at Solas. I see big things in the future for Eric. Mark my words...

M.S

Eric Dixon of Raleigh on Life, Lessons & Legacy September 2, 2025

We recently had the chance to connect with Eric Dixon and have shared our conversation below.

Eric, a huge thanks to you for investing the time to share your wisdom with those who are seeking it. We think it’s so important for us to share stories with our neighbors, friends and community because knowledge multiples when we share with each other. Let’s jump in: What are you chasing, and what would happen if you stopped?
Right now I’m chasing my dream of being a full time artist. Over the years I’ve done art part time. I had some success over the years, but I want to see how far I can take it. If I stopped I wouldn’t know what to do. I’ve only wanted to be one thing. Sure I’ve tried a multitude of other things. It has always come back to being an artist.

Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
My name is Eric Dixon. I’m an artist from NC. I am a professional artist based out of Raleigh, NC. I have gallery exhibitions, live paintings and publications under my belt since 2012. My art focuses on vibrant colors, bold lines and dope compositions. Which have been influenced by cartoons, comics books, graffiti, tattoos and graphic design. . I am the owner and lead designer of a brand called Kanary Barnes. Kanary Barnes is about being bold, authentic and amazing illustrations. Right now I am working on several projects. I recently created a coloring book Kanary Barnes coloring book vol. 1. I am working on illustrations for vol. 2. I have designed clothing collections to drop in the near future. Also I’m working on painting and character designs for comics or cartoons.

Great, so let’s dive into your journey a bit more. What’s a moment that really shaped how you see the world?
The moment that really shaped how you see the world. Originally I’m from Wilmington, NC. I lived with my grand parents. Not far from my grandparents house was Michael Jordan’s house ( where he grew up in Wilmington). During the 80′s, 90’s Michael Jordan was a world star. I kept thinkin how popular he was and yet I rode past the house he grew up in. Seeing where he grew up being not far from where I lived made any seem possible. I Still tell myself the same thing then as I do know. “If he can do something he loves then I can too.”

What fear has held you back the most in your life?
I would say success is the biggest fear to hold me back. I often have imposter syndrome. I often wonder if I’m really worthy of some accolades under my belt. I believe being successful you have to maintain a certain level or be consistent. Sometimes I fear falling short.

I think our readers would appreciate hearing more about your values and what you think matters in life and career, etc. So our next question is along those lines. What would your closest friends say really matters to you?
My closest friends would say love, loyalty, expression, family, spending time with people I love matter to me. I only have love, loyalty, honesty, respect and kindness to give, It matters that I give them freely to everyone I come across.

Before we go, we’d love to hear your thoughts on some longer-run, legacy type questions. What is the story you hope people tell about you when you’re gone?
I hope people tell stories of how I made them laugh, made them feel special, was a great brother and friend. I hope people tell stories of my knucklehead adventures and that I had the courage to pursue my dreams. Most importantly of how I loved them.

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