By: Alva Ree

Within the contemporary art world, authenticity has become more powerful than perfection. Audiences no longer connect only with technique or aesthetics. They connect with artists whose work carries real emotion, real struggle, and real purpose. Eddie NewStyle is one of those artists.

Known professionally as Eddie NewStyle while signing his work with the initials “ER,” Eddie Rivera has built a creative identity rooted in emotion, resilience, bold color, and community impact. His paintings are expressive, energetic, unconventional, and deeply connected to his personal life journey. Beyond the artwork itself, Eddie’s story is one of perseverance, transformation, and using creativity to inspire others.

We spoke with Eddie about his childhood, his artistic philosophy, autism awareness, and why he believes art should make people feel something powerful.

Eddie, let’s start from the beginning. When did art first enter your life?

Honestly, art has been part of my life for as long as I can remember. I started drawing and painting when I was about four years old while I was in Head Start. My mother’s boyfriend at the time was an artist, and he really encouraged me to continue creating. I think that support meant a lot because at that age, you don’t really know what you’re doing yet. You just know something feels exciting and natural to you.

Art also became a way for me to connect with people. It helped me make friends, express myself, and feel understood even when I couldn’t fully explain myself with words.

Did you always know you wanted to become an artist professionally?

Not necessarily. Life takes you through a lot of different experiences, and for me, the journey wasn’t always easy. But creativity was always there in the background, no matter what was happening in my life. Over time, I realized art wasn’t just something I enjoyed doing. It was part of who I am.

As I got older, I started understanding that my paintings could actually affect people emotionally. They could motivate people, wake people up emotionally, or even challenge the way they think. That’s when I started taking it much more seriously.

How would you describe your artistic style today?

I’d say my style is very unorthodox and emotionally unpredictable. I don’t really like putting myself inside strict creative rules. My work changes depending on emotion, energy, and what I’m experiencing internally at the time.

No matter how different the paintings may look, the emotions are always there. Sometimes it’s excitement, motivation, and energy. Other times, there’s confusion, sadness, or tension inside the work, too. I think that emotional honesty is what makes the art feel alive.

I also use bright colors a lot because color affects me mentally and emotionally. Bright colors activate my brain. They wake people up and make them feel more alert and emotionally present.

Your work definitely feels emotionally intense. Is that intentional?

Absolutely. I don’t want people to just glance at my work and move on. I want them to stop for a second and feel something. Sometimes I intentionally bend artistic rules because I like creating tension or confusion for the viewer. I want people to step into my world emotionally instead of just observing from the outside.

For me, art should create a reaction. It should challenge people a little bit emotionally or mentally.

You are also participating in the upcoming Hamptons Private Art Experience. What does this event mean to you as an artist?

I’m really excited to be part of the Hamptons Private Art Experience because I think events like this represent the future of contemporary art. It’s not just about putting paintings on walls anymore. It’s about creating an atmosphere where art, people, energy, and emotion all connect together in one experience.

What I love about this event is that it brings together artists, collectors, entrepreneurs, creatives, and people from completely different worlds inside one environment. That creates real conversations and real opportunities for artists to connect with people on a deeper level.

The event taking place on June 7, 2026, in Southampton, New York, in collaboration with Jason Perez and UFIRST Art Production, feels especially exciting because it’s being built as a full immersive art and lifestyle experience rather than a traditional exhibition. Between the curated installations, live DJ performances, networking, private estate atmosphere, and overall creative energy, it feels like the kind of environment where people can truly experience the artwork emotionally instead of just viewing it quickly and moving on.

For me personally, that’s very important because my work is all about emotion, energy, and connection. I want people to feel something when they experience my art, and events like this create the perfect atmosphere for that to happen naturally.

A major part of your story is also connected to perseverance and personal struggle. How much has your life experience influenced your work?

A lot. My early adult years were very difficult and heartbreaking in many ways. I went through experiences that tested me emotionally and mentally. But instead of letting those experiences destroy me, I tried to turn them into motivation.

That’s one of the reasons I always want my artwork to inspire people. I want viewers to understand that difficult moments don’t have to define your future. You can still build something meaningful from pain, struggle, and setbacks.

I persevered through a lot, and today I’m proud of where I’ve gotten in life because of that perseverance.

Beyond art, you’ve also built businesses connected to autism inclusion and awareness. Tell us more about that.

Yes, today I own two barbershops that promote autism inclusion, and that’s something incredibly important to me personally. I wanted to create spaces where people feel accepted, supported, and understood.

The autism community deserves more visibility, more awareness, and more support. I use my artwork to help raise money so I can continue spreading autism awareness through both the arts and my hair studios.

For me, art and purpose go together. I don’t really separate them.

That gives your work a much deeper meaning than just visual art alone.

I think so too. Of course, I love creating visually exciting work, but if the art can also positively affect people or support a bigger mission, then that makes it even more meaningful to me.

At the end of the day, I want my work to motivate people. I want someone to look at a painting and feel inspired to keep going in life, no matter what they’re facing.

What inspires you personally to continue creating new work?

Honestly, people inspire me the most. Human emotion, conversations, energy, struggle, growth, all of that inspires me creatively.

Every person is carrying something internally that most people never see. I think that the hidden emotional world fascinates me, and a lot of my work comes from observing that.

What are your goals moving forward?

I want to continue telling my story through my artwork and inspiring children and communities worldwide. I want to keep growing creatively and professionally while continuing to use art as a way to spread positivity, awareness, and motivation.

I also want people to understand that creativity can genuinely change lives. Art helped me survive difficult moments, and now I want my work to help inspire other people, too.

What do you hope people feel when they experience your art?

I hope they feel energy. Motivation. Emotion. I hope they feel alive for a moment.

Most importantly, I hope they leave believing they can still achieve greatness no matter what they’ve been through.