Plymouth Artist Sells Artwork Internationally

Ever since his early days in elementary school, Eric Sweet has been an artist, often drawing and designing futuristic cars.

However it wasn't until last year, after completing graduate school with a degree in counseling, that the Plymouth resident began to refocus on his artwork and making a name for himself. 

"It wasn't until after I graduated with my masters that I decided that I wanted to try and make something of it, from more of a hobby to more of, I guess a job," Sweet said. "So I decided to create a new website, made a Facebook page and an Etsy profile. I'm planning on putting my work in a couple more online galleries."

It's through Etsy that Sweet has seen some success - even selling his work internationally to customers all over the world. 

"I have customers all over the world, from Norway to here in the U.S. in California, I have followers in India and all over the place," he said. "It's very rewarding that's for sure. When I get a comment from somebody on the other side of the planet - it keeps me going."

Sweet takes his time with each piece because each piece takes a different amount of time to finish. It could be hours or weeks. One painting took Sweet more than a month, he said. 

With as much work as Sweet puts into his art, he has no problem letting them go to buyers. 

"I don't really have that big of a connection to them physically," he said.

It's another story with his fiance, Kristin Dombrowski, who gets a little exasperated when she comes home and a painting is missing.

"He takes them off the living room wall and sells them," she said shaking her head. "Our place is decorated beautifully and then I come home and the living room painting is gone."

"That's funny," Sweet said chuckling. 

Sweet focuses on three types of art: figurative, landscape painting and most recently, wildlife art.

"I like that I'm in complete control of what's going to be created. It's relaxing for me... sometimes," Sweet said about his artwork.

Currently working part-time as a Counselor at Oakland Community College, Sweet spends his extra time promoting and working on his art. 

Sweet said he would one day love to be able to support his family through his art, but would probably never stop counseling because it is also something he loves.

To find out more about Sweet or to see more examples of his work, visit his website at www.signedsweet.com.