Erin McCarthy, sculptor

Above: Pandemonium, portrait of self

Erin McCarthy began her career in the beauty industry, but after studying under renowned makeup artist Dany Sanz at the MAKE UP FOR EVER Academy in Paris, France, her interest shifted to the structure and form of the human body.

    Erin decided to immerse herself in the discipline of realistic sculpture and spent three years, 2011 - 2014, at the Florence Academy of Art in Florence, Italy, where she diligently studied the classical methods of the masters and realized her true passion for sculpting people.  Her time at Florence Academy of Art focused on developing  technique through accuracy of proportions and gesture.  Her work has since evolved and now pays more attention to anatomy following a dissection course.  The benefits of studying anatomy in this way enable her to sculpt with a more tactile approach.

    Upon graduation Erin was selected to serve as Artist in Residence for six months at the prestigious Galerie Schloss Weispach in Hallein, Austria.  During her residency experience she interacted closely with the public and realized the power of art to influence a society launching her deep passion for public art.

    Erin’s work is so lifelike that she was honored in 2019 by the Portrait Society of America with first place in the annual portrait competition for a bust of her father entitled Simple Man.  Her résumé to date includes commissioned busts, figurative conceptual pieces, and public artworks.