If you ask Erica Branch where she grew up, she’d say everywhere. In her adult life, she spent close to nine years on active duty in the U.S. Army, where during her service, she was commissioned as an officer and deployed to Iraq in support of Operation Enduring Freedom. Throughout her time in the military, she was constantly creating art. In downtime and even in meetings, to keep her attention, Branch was constantly doodling with pen on paper. 

Retired from her service, she has lived in Bossier Parish for almost six years and has been pursuing her passion for art full-time as Branch Heart Art. She was recently chosen as the only Bossier artist for the new Live! Casino art display. 

“I feel like a little superstar,” Branch said. “I am so honored.” 

Branch shares appreciation for her husband who pushed her and encouraged her to deviate from her normal style and create something different for her submission piece. Based on his recommendation, Branch sketched out “Joie De Vivre,” mostly to prove a point, and the submission was selected for the artist collection in the new Live! Casino opening in Bossier City. 

“I told him, ‘I’ll let you be right for once out of close to sixteen years of marriage,’” she laughed. 

Branch has been creating art ever since she was little and even believes she sold her first art piece to her PE teacher in grade school. She recalls keeping herself entertained by creating stories and drawing them out as she imagined them in her head. 

“If you ask my mom, she’ll tell you that I would not eat my food when I was a baby until she would put a pencil in my hand and I would start doodling and that’s how she got me to eat,” she said. “She said I was drawing before I even knew how to walk.” 

She has found her unique style of art that most would describe as whimsical – pulling from inspiration in fantasy novels.

“I think it’s kind of wild and crazy. It’s just out there,” Branch said. “I like using the fantastic and I love colors.” 

Branch will work in every medium from digital art to oils and acrylic paints, but her favorites to work with are gouache and watercolor. 

Her art is not confined to 2D paintings. Branch herself says if it’s something she can be creative with, she is likely to add it to her list of skills. Outside of her paintings, she also does leathercraft and woodworking – creating things like handmade leather bags and intricate wooden pieces.  

The woodworking began when she took antique wood pieces or retrieved scrap wood from friends and created something new. She was able to take those inexpensive supplies and give them new life. She created one of her favorite woodworking pieces using a scroll saw that was supposed to be a gift for her husband. After it sat unused, she took over and cut pieces of scrap wood and filled the designs with resin and lights to create a wooden light box with a stained glass appearance. 

One of her 2-dimensional pieces that she considers one of her favorites is titled “Eden.” In this painting, you’ll find a little girl surrounded by cute woodland creatures and animals, tons of flowers, and a broad variety of colors. Most of her pieces include bright and bold portions. 

“I love doing pieces based on fantasies or stories,” Branch said. “Once I get the idea and image in my head, it just goes.”

Branch finds inspiration for her art in everything. From pop culture to fantasy novels, fashion, and vintage finds. In fact, most frames that are used in her framed pieces are antique frames she has thrifted and painted to match. 

“I love to repurpose stuff and give it new life,” she said.

Branch has the skill to take the old and make new bringing forth a world of creativity. For any aspiring artist, Branch encourages them to take advantage of the inspiration around them.

“Art and skill is going to come as time progresses,” she explained. “Use all of the tools at your disposal. Don’t worry about ‘Oh if I look too much at this artist I’m going to copy them,’ because you won’t. You’re you. You’re unique and it will help you grow.” 

To purchase any of Branch Heart Art, you can find prints and stickers on her website or at various galleries in the Shreveport-Bossier area. Her website also has links to purchase her art on Redbubble, Etsy, Society 6, and Zazzle.