Education of the Modern Doctor: Marcus Welby vs. House 
Eric Wixon and his painting, Pondering the Obstacles of Self Progression
First, the artist is a busy, busy man. Every damn week we see his name come up in events with an “Eric Wixon is live painting” here or an “Eric Wixon is showing” there. Seriously, the guy just doesn’t quit.
Second, we like watching the evolution of Wixon’s work. His color pallet seems to have stayed comfortably inside the realm of pretty pinks and blues with bright greens and yellows strewn about, but his subject matter has matured. And, with his most recent works, we emotion-filled, somewhat-chaotic writer-types totally get what he’s trying to say.
“To me, it’s trying to explain the multiple emotions that happen at the same time,” Wixon said. “The whirlwinds of emotions.”
The piece on this week’s cover, “Pondering the Obstacles of Self Progression,” is one of five that Wixon says are about his struggle to find happiness. Wixon recently emerged from a two-year relationship, and like all musicians, artists and poets, he found himself working through his feelings by doing what he does best—creating.
“That piece is about me figuring out that happiness is not becoming complacent or stagnant,” Wixon said. “It’s about continuing that chase…. See how the lower main head is focused and driving forward?”
Wixon may be a jumble of all the faces on our cover this week, but we see him as just that one focused guy. A few years ago, Wixon made a decision, and since making that decision, he’s been on a path to professionalism that’s obvious to anyone paying attention.
“I decided that I would quit my part-time work in September 2011 and pursue art full time,” he said.
Then, he says, after a quick surf trip to Indonesia, he’ll officially become a professional artist.
“So, that’s the game plan,” Wixon said. “It’s definitely going to happen.”
Eric Wixon is opening a solo show, 3-Pound Balance, from 6 to 10 p.m. Saturday, July 10, at Project X Art Gallery, 320 S. Cedros Ave., Suite 500, in Solana Beach. The show runs through Aug. 20. ericwixon.com.
