about the artist
A homegrown Alaskan, Erica was born in Anchorage in 1965. She received her Bachelor of Fine Arts degree from the State University of New York, graduating in 1990. Most of her summers are spent working road construction, while she pursues painting during the winter months. Erica has travelled extensively throughout Europe, Mexico, and the U.S. She makes her home in Hope, Alaska.
about the art
Erica's medium of choice is pastel on paper. All her paintings are framed and glazed under conservation non-glare glass. Frame styles vary.
Many people are curious about pastels as an art medium. Although they look alike and may contain small amounts of gypsum, pastels are not "chalk." Chalks are made from the mineral gypsum (calcium sulfate) compressed to form a white stick. A small amount of pigment is added to make colored chalks. Pastels are made of pure powdered pigment and an inert binder such as gum arabic (from the acacia tree), gum tragacanth (from the root of a legume), or methyl cellulose (a synthetically produced chemical compound). Pastels range from very hard to very soft sticks depending on the amount of binder present. Pastel as an artists' medium dates back to 1500 and became popular in portrait making in the early 1700's. Because it is a drawing medium used mostly on paper it can smudge and must be framed under glass. When properly framed it is lightfast and permanent.
artist's statement
Much of my work has been portraiture and figure painting, both human and animal. I have recently begun a series of landscapes.
Since 1997 I've been painting almost exclusively with pastels. I have never enjoyed mixing paints or washing brushes, as it takes time away from applying color onto the support. Pastel is a unique medium, almost an extension of the artist's fingers. I tend to paint fast and pastels allow for that kind of spontaneity and direct expression. This immediacy and directness is so wonderfully apparent in a finished pastel painting.
exhibitions
February 2010: KAKM Art Showcase Auction. KAKM/Channel 7, Anchorage, AK. Visit kakm.org to view art and for more information.
March 2009: Best of Show. Kenai Fine Arts Center Biennial Juried Exhibit. Kenai Fine Arts Center, Kenai, AK.
June-September 2008: Wild Salmon on Parade, Anchorage and Palmer, AK.
June-August 2008: Honorable Mention. Pratt Museum 2008 Juried Art Exhibition. Pratt Museum, Homer, AK.
March-April 2008: Her-Story, Ptarmigan Arts Back Room Gallery, Homer, AK.
May 2007: International Gallery of Contemporary Art Annual Juried Exhibition, Anchorage, AK.
June-August 2006: Juror's Choice Award. Pratt Museum 2006 Juried Art Exhibition, Pratt Museum, Homer, AK.
February 2005: Grand Prize Winner. Faces and Places, Daniel Smith Artist Materials, Seattle, WA.
August 2004: Pastels: A One-Woman Show. Ptarmigan Arts Studios & Gallery, Homer, AK.
April-June 2004: Pratt Museum 2004 Juried Art Exhibition. Pratt Museum, Homer, AK.
February-March 2004: All Alaska Juried Art Exhibition XXX. Anchorage Museum of History and Art, Anchorage, AK.
June 2003: NPS 17th International Exhibition Merit Award. The Art Institute of Seattle, Seattle, WA.
August-September 2002: New Paintings: Solo Show. Ptarmigan Arts Studio & Gallery, Homer, AK.
May 2002: Alaska Juried Works on Paper. Bunnell Street Gallery, Homer, AK.
January-February 2002: All Alaska Juried Art Exhibition. Anchorage Museum of History and Art, Anchorage, AK.
February 2001: Fur Rendezvous Juried Art Show: First Place, People's Choice. Egan Center, Anchorage, AK.
April 1999: Peninsula Art Guild Open Show: 2ndPrize, People's Choice. Kenai Fine Arts Center, Kenai, AK.
June-August 1995: Spring Juried Art Show: Honorable Mention. Pratt Museum, Homer, AK.
July-August 1995: 29th Annual Juried Art Show: Honorable Mention. Kenai Fine Arts Center, Kenai, AK.
November-December 1993: Friends of the Ferndale Library Art Exhibit: Featured Artist. Ferndale Public Library, Ferndale, WA.
January-February 1992: The Alumni of Antonio Frasconi, State University of New York at Purchase Visual Arts Gallery, Purchase, NY.
November 1991 - January 1992, February 1992 - June 1993: (National Tour) Images of American Immigration: Grand Prize Winner. Georgetown University Fine Arts Gallery, Washington, D.C.
grants and awards
2010: 1% for Public Art, Veterans Affairs Building, Anchorage, AK.
2008: 1% for Public Art, Houston High School, Houston, AK.
collections
Alaska VA Healthcare System, Anchorage, AK.
McKinley Capital, Anchorage, AK.
Matanuska-Susitna Borough School District, Houston High School, Houston, AK.
Anchorage Museum of History and Art, Anchorage, AK.
U.S. Department of Justice, Immigration and Naturalization Service, Washington, D.C.
Kenai Peninsula Borough School District, Ninilchik High School, Ninilchik, AK.
Numerous private collections.
bibliography
February 2009: Alaska Magazine, pp. 34-37.
June 8, 2008: Anchorage Daily News.
April 3, 2008: Turnagain Times.
March 6, 2008: Homer News.
August 2004: Homer News.
August 11, 2004: Homer Tribune.
August 2, 2002: Anchorage Daily News.
August 15, 2002: Turnagain Times.
December 7, 2000: Turnagain Times.
April 1999: Peninsula Clarion.
June 25, 1998: Homer News.
education
Graduated Cum Laude from State University of New York, Purchase with a Bachelor of Fine Arts Degree in January 1991.
galleries
Scott Sherritt Fine Arts Gallery & Gifts, Hope, Alaska