Elena Erickson grew up in the country-side of northern Switzerland in the village of Safenwil. Outside of city life and influences, the forest surrounded her home, and from her youth, most life adventures were motivated by nature. Moving later to the Bay Area in California and close the ocean’s edge, the outdoors form the imagery in the paintings she is currently creating.

“While painting I often experience that confidence and no fear of loss is an essential part of the process. The more natural the movement, the more natural the look of the surface. It’s an adventure through different colors and shapes, inspirations and observations, where I can pick the parts that speak to me the most, and put them together in the search of harmony. The focus on the practice of creating matters. It’s important to me to work continuously, so the desired image can come forth. I strongly believe there’s always something blossoming from something else, and following the directions of your own light, will cast new shadows along the way. Ultimately it’s also important to remember to have fun and to enjoy the flow of color.”

Elena paints with the history of painting behind her, like all painters have, but the age of today where technology rules, painting must flourish beyond the coldness of staring at lit screens. It again becomes a very personal experience. A less traveled avenue to follow, but where the roads intersect, painting initiates an important career in which to go. Willem de Kooning once said, “I think I’m painting a picture of two women, but it may turn out to be a landscape.” – Or even a view out of a window. For more information on Elena or to view other painting images, go to her website at www.elenaerickson.com