Erik Schlake delights in envisioning a painting before his brush ever hits the canvas.But one year ago, the way he imagined his work was forced to change.”We were working in a church and I was about 16 feet up on the ladder when the ladder slipped out from under me,” said Erik. Erik broke seven ribs, lost most of his teeth and his bottom lip, and suffered damage to his left eye, making it difficult to keep painting.However, what most would see as a major setback, Erik saw as an opportunity.”How am I going to pivot?” asked Erik. “What direction can I go in?”With patience and determination, Erik painted what he couldn’t see for nearly a year. The idea of quitting never crossed his mind.”That’s where I feel connected to other people is within the struggle,” said Erik. “Within the struggle, I always look for the beauty and the positive part of that.” When asked where he gets his optimism from, Erik refers to it as stubbornness.”I have been accused of being very stubborn. Some call it optimism, others say stubbornness,” said Erik.Leaning into the struggle helped Erik lean on his community of friends and fellow artists.”I got a message from them saying, ‘Hey, we understand you had an accident, if you can get over here, you’ve got a great place to come over here,'” said Erik. “Not only is it OK to ask for help, but it’s important to have a community and connect with other people. For that, I’ll be forever grateful.”When facing adversity, rather than accepting defeat, Erik proves that we can paint a new picture — one filled with hope and strength.DOWNLOAD the free Gulf Coast News app for your latest news and alerts on breaking news, weather, sports, entertainment, and more on your phone or tablet. And check out the Very Local Gulf Coast app to stream news, entertainment and original programming on your TV.
FORT MYERS, Fla. —
Erik Schlake delights in envisioning a painting before his brush ever hits the canvas.
But one year ago, the way he imagined his work was forced to change.
“We were working in a church and I was about 16 feet up on the ladder when the ladder slipped out from under me,” said Erik.
Erik broke seven ribs, lost most of his teeth and his bottom lip, and suffered damage to his left eye, making it difficult to keep painting.
However, what most would see as a major setback, Erik saw as an opportunity.
“How am I going to pivot?” asked Erik. “What direction can I go in?”
With patience and determination, Erik painted what he couldn’t see for nearly a year. The idea of quitting never crossed his mind.
“That’s where I feel connected to other people is within the struggle,” said Erik. “Within the struggle, I always look for the beauty and the positive part of that.”
When asked where he gets his optimism from, Erik refers to it as stubbornness.
“I have been accused of being very stubborn. Some call it optimism, others say stubbornness,” said Erik.
Leaning into the struggle helped Erik lean on his community of friends and fellow artists.
“I got a message from them saying, ‘Hey, we understand you had an accident, if you can get over here, you’ve got a great place to come over here,'” said Erik. “Not only is it OK to ask for help, but it’s important to have a community and connect with other people. For that, I’ll be forever grateful.”
When facing adversity, rather than accepting defeat, Erik proves that we can paint a new picture — one filled with hope and strength.
DOWNLOAD the free Gulf Coast News app for your latest news and alerts on breaking news, weather, sports, entertainment, and more on your phone or tablet. And check out the Very Local Gulf Coast app to stream news, entertainment and original programming on your TV.