Biography

Artist Erin McIntosh makes colorful, improvisational paintings merging biomorphic abstraction, collage, and rhythmic movement. Working primarily in water-based media, McIntosh creates dynamic compositions inspired by microscopic forms, gardens, architecture, music, and dance. Working through an intuitive process, lyrical gestures and anthropomorphic shapes emerge, resulting in works that feel animated, musical, and emotionally resonant.

Working for over 20 years as both an artist and educator in northeast Georgia, McIntosh is Professor of Art at the University of North Georgia teaching Design & Color Theory and painting courses including Mural Painting. Additionally, McIntosh teaches on UGA’s Cortona Italy Study Abroad program, and workshops for The Georgia Museum of Art and Snow Farm: The New England Craft Program. 

McIntosh holds a BFA from The University of Georgia, with study abroad in Cortona, Italy, and an MFA from The University of Georgia. Her work has been published in New American Paintings and The Georgia Review. She has held residencies at the Vermont Studio Center and Atlantic Center for the Arts. McIntosh’s work has been represented by Gregg Irby Gallery since 2005 and also works with Articles Fine Art Gallery in St. Petersburg, FL and Weinberger Fine Art in Kansas City, MO. Fall 2026, McIntosh’s work is included in the exhibition “New Talent: Six Rising Painters Exploring Landscape & Abstraction” at the Bridgette Mayer Gallery in Philadelphia, PA. Her studio is based in Athens, GA.

Artist Statement

I find joy in making paintings. I love the physical act of painting and the visual exploration of color, dynamic composition, layering, and biomorphic abstraction. Working primarily in water-based media, I start with visual notations that evolve organically through play and experimentation. These include small collages and paintings on paper to generate new combinations of color and shape. Small works on paper and canvas develop alongside making larger paintings.

My work is process-driven and intuitive - I want to be surprised by a painting. The most satisfying part for me is the search, seeking to find a painting. Inspiring my work are quilts, microscopic forms, gardens, architecture, music, and dance.  Lyrical gestures and anthropomorphic shapes emerge as I paint, resulting in works that feel animated, musical, and emotionally resonant.