You may have seen Erica’s work in the Tamarisk Gallery in the centre of Hugh Town, St Mary’s. Keen to find out how gig rowing has inspired her creativity, we invited Erica to tell us more.
My name is Erica Hicks. I grew up on the Isles of Scilly and was never really a big fan of sport or PE until I began gig rowing at 15. There are many things about rowing that I really love. I think it is the fact that it is so accessible – anyone can row and anyone can be good at it. Of course it helps to be tall and strong but people of all shapes and sizes can be great rowers too. I love being out on the water, I love concentrating on getting the perfect stroke, I love seeing seals popping up to say hello and occasionally dolphins and whales, too! I love being with my crew.
Photo credit: Isaac Ogden
When I moved back to Scilly with my husband in 2013 after some time away, I fell into a period of what I think now was probably a form of depression. My poor newlywed husband! I’d dragged him over from Cornwall to an isolated island in winter, where he knew nobody, and I was completely miserable and didn’t want to leave the house! I honestly didn’t know what to do with myself. Luckily, I had the opportunity to become part of a crew again and it made me get out regularly on the water and train with some fabulous girls. The act of being outside, doing exercise and being with wonderful people completely sorted me out. I am happy to say I have never felt that way since. I have also not stopped rowing. I love it! I also enjoy being one of the junior coaches for our club and seeing how young people thrive when they are rowing. The sport keeps them active and present, connected with their peers and to the landscape. Plus, they can’t hold a phone!
Photo credit: Erica Hicks
I also just love what everyone else seems to call ‘Scillies’ and what we simply refer to as ‘Gig Weekend’ or ‘‘Champs’. It’s such a special weekend – so much colour and joy! Being a part of that first long line up by St Agnes is unlike anything else you can explain – the noise, the anticipation, the history, the colour, the spirit. I know it is super cheesy but being from Scilly and representing the islands at the event, I just feel so blooming proud! Don’t get me wrong, I’ve never podiumed – 20th is the best place I have ever come. But that’s another thing… Your position doesn’t really matter because having fun is what really counts!
I shouldn’t really row at Champs to be honest because I run the gallery in the centre of town on St Mary’s and it’s the busiest weekend of the year – I should be working! But there’s no way I can sit it out and watch everyone else enjoying all the excitement!
As well as work by others, I also design and sell my own products and at last year’s event, I was painting gig ‘portraits’ between races! I need to have a rethink on that one because although I enjoyed it and it was popular with visiting crews, I’m not sure how sustainable it was in terms of time!
Photo credit: Oriel Hicks
Mostly, I create Scilly-inspired linocuts and drawings…Strangely, these often feature gigs! I also design patterns for products such as tea towels, pencil cases and notebooks. My website can be found at ericahicks.co.uk. It’s our low season now so I am spending some time thinking up ideas for new prints and products for next year. I am pretty hopeless at posting online (I’d rather be rowing 😜), but please do follow me on Instagram or Facebook for sporadic updates and sign up to my mailing list so that you can be the first to hear what my latest gig designs will be…
Photo credit: Erica Hicks
In other news, I’ve also recently started a podcast with a friend where we interview local people about what it’s like to live on Scilly. Rowing often features so do look us up if it sounds like your thing – it’s called ‘Scilly Stories’. Do also pop in to the gallery I manage on St Mary’s – Tamarisk and say hello if you are over for Gig Weekend…. I’ll probably be the one in lycra scribbling in a corner!
Erica x
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