Artist Statement
I am infinitely inspired by nature and life all around me. Creating art has always been a very meditative self exploratory process for me. I will see things that inspire me everywhere but I do not plan too much. I love to get lost in the process, be it painting or throwing on the wheel. I am drawn to color relationships, organic forms and texture.

About the Artist
Ericka O’Rourke was raised in central New Jersey. An only child, she spent much of her time within in her thoughts and art. She pursued art from a young age and was recognized at the state level by the time she was 13. At age 16, a watercolor abstract painting by Ericka was selected as one of 350 pieces out of over 40,000 entries nationwide to receive a Scholastic National Achievement Gold Medal. It was then one of 20 pieces purchased by Scholastic to hang in their permanent collection at the New York headquarters. At age 17, Ericka received the New Jersey Governor’s Award in Arts Education.

Throughout her later high school years and through college, Ericka worked a variety of creative jobs that all helped shape her skills. These included working as a picture framer, in a greenhouse/florist, as a local newspaper photographer and as a silkscreen t-shirt designer/artist where she was introduced to computer art.

Ericka pursued her art education as a Visual Arts major at Mason Gross School of the Arts in New Brunswick, NJ. Her studies during this time varied widely and included photography, printmaking, painting, and ceramics. Working as an intern managing the ceramics studio introduced Ericka to glaze and clay mixing and furthered her interest in clay as a medium.

After receiving her BFA, Ericka entered the commercial art world and took a design position in New York City working for Bantam Doubleday Dell Publishing. She worked as a book designer in the Books for Young Readers division under the exceptional guidance of Art Director Patrice Sheridan. During her five years there, Ericka strengthened and developed her computer and design skills and knowledge. During this time, she began to combine her art and photography digitally and established herself as a digital artist/illustrator with over 200 published works to date.

Ericka left the city to be a work-from-home mom/artist in 1999. She has taught art workshops, continues to work as a freelance digital artist, and is pursuing her fine art. In 2006, Ericka became the founding President of the Allentown Art Guild. The Allentown Art Guild is a non-profit organization based in the historical village town of Allentown, New Jersey. The organization was formed by three Allentown artists and a photographer who felt the need for an independent association of creative professionals and friends of the arts. The purpose of the Guild is artistic growth through interaction with fellow Guild members, guest speakers, and participation in Guild-sponsored workshops. The AAG also provides a venue for exhibits and community educational programs.

Ericka’s fine art is currently represented by the Artful Deposit Gallery in Bordentown City, NJ, and Creative Genius Galleries in Medford, NJ. Her work is also available for purchase in her online shop at www.elmstudios.etsy.com.

Representation:
The Artful Deposit Gallery, Bordentown, NJ
Creative Genius Art Studio Medford, NJ

Elmstudios Etsy Store
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