Influential Woman · Airbrush Artist
Erica Bryant
Senior Airbrush Designer, Erica B Airbrush Designer
Birmingham, AL 35212
Her Story
About Erica
Erica Bryant has worked as an airbrush artist since June 22, 1992. Self-taught after her art education ended upon leaving high school, she began by hand-painting inspired by hip-hop apparel and later adopted airbrush techniques, building a client base that now spans three generations. Based in Birmingham, Alabama, Bryant faces challenges in a smaller market where trends shift quickly, yet airbrush remains popular, and she works to earn respect as an African-American woman in the field. She ties her artistic gift to her purpose, prioritizing moral values, serving clients with integrity, and creating work that reflects positive community impact. Bryant credits her pastor, her first mentor, with advice to value mentoring and ask questions rather than learn only through mistakes, and she passes on similar guidance to young women: remain dedicated to the skill as a trade, practice daily, and avoid comparing their unique approach to others.
Her Interview
Ten minutes with Erica
01What’s the best career advice you’ve ever received?
From my pastor, who was my first mentor: If you don't learn by mistake, you're going to be forced to learn by mistake. So you have to value mentoring, because there's somebody else that has already been on it. Learn to ask. It's okay to ask questions and value information.
02What advice would you give to young women entering your industry?
Don't quit. It's a patient game. You have to make sure that when you become an airbrush artist, you're dedicated to the skill. This is a skill set, it's a trade, so you have to practice all the time. Don't compare yourself to anybody else. You're your own unique person.
03What are the biggest challenges or opportunities in your field right now?
Being in a smaller market. Things don't last long, people go with whatever wave is happening, but airbrush is always popular. Being an African-American Black female doing this, not a lot of us in the field. Earning that respect as a female first.
04What values are most important to you in your work and personal life?
My moral values are always very important, because my purpose ties into my gift as an artist. I try to do right, I try to serve people right. Just try to walk in a way that reflects impact in my community. And my work is gonna reflect that.
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