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. The last twelve summers have been spent working road construction. This has been monetarily lucrative and has allowed her the winter months to pursue painting. Erica has travelled extensively throughout Europe, Mexico, and the U.S. She makes her home in Hope, Alaska, where she lives with her cat.
about the art
Erica's medium of choice is pastel on paper. Her favorite subject is the human face, done from life, sketches, and photos. She also enjoys painting animals and landscapes. All her paintings are framed and glazed under conservation non-glare glass. Frame styles will 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
A fascination with the human face, especially with interest to the elderly, has animated and inspired my painting experience. Most of my work is portraiture and figure painting done in the studio from life, sketches, and photos. I also enjoy painting small plein-air landscapes. People connect with my work because fashion and trends aside, hyper-realism in painting continues to be exciting and engaging. I'm most comfortable painting slightly larger than life size.
Until recently, 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. I tend to paint fast and pastels allow for that kind of spontaneity. Pastel is a unique medium, as it is almost like an extension of the artist's fingers. In my most recent paintings, however, I have begun again to introduce other materials and new methods of applying pastel. Although still adhering to a naturalistic style, mixed media has made room for more expression in my work.
Enchanted by sumblime and beautiful imagery, I have the need to create for myself and share the results with others. A powerful painting can evoke a feeling or emotion about a thing even in the abstract. Absolutely anything can be depicted on a surface in two dimensions.
exhibitions
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.
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.
commissions
Please contact me by email or telephone if you are interested in commissioning a painting.
education
Graduated Cum Laude from State University of New York, Purchase with a Bachelor of Fine Arts Degree in January 1991.
collections
Anchorage Museum of History and Art, Anchorage, AK.
U.S. Department of Justice, Immigration and Naturalization Service, Washington, D.C.
Numerous private collections.
articles and reviews
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.