Michael Erikson

Michael Erikson is a local Chicago artist living and working in the Bucktown neighborhood. He has studied at the Art Institute of Chicago, Northern Illinois University, and the American Academy of Art, concentrating his studies on drawin g and painting. He works in oil, watercolor, gouache, and mixed media.

Ten years ago, Michael sold a successful graphics arts business to concentrate on his art education and career. He has shown and sold his works in various galleries in Chicago, Michigan, Florida, and Spain.

While Michael has spent much of his career drawing and painting the figure from life, he has in recent years become intrigued and excited by industrial and historical sites in Chicago neighborhoods, particularly those slated for d emolition or gentrification.

My desire is to accentuate particular characteristics or details of the scene, to create and evoke a mood. Sometimes I abstract the structures to have fun with them, to prevent them from appearing so somber and foreboding and to give them a life through my own viewpoint, sometimes even in a whimsical way. Chicago\rquote s neighborhoods have such stories to tell, so much diversity and change has occurred. I find myself stumbling onto these architectural gems that don \rquote t get the recognition or attention of the traditional Chicago landmarks.

Michael has also been painting part of his time in Cadaques, Spain, the birthplace of Salvador Dali. "The surreal characteristics of the architecture and surroundings there have recently inspi red me also. I find myself exploring and discovering unique settings and scenes that seem almost enchanted. Much different than the gritty and industrial scenes from Chicago, yet the appeal and the sense of discovery are equally rewarding for me.

For a recent exhibition at The Timmel Collection, Michael wrote:

Primary to my approach to art is the creative vision - an honest interpretation of an image, a mood, or a feeling. My goal is not to produce perfect art - flawless in its technique and perspective - but rather keep it from being too literal, or 'pretty,' or traditionally balanced in its composition.

However perfecting the skills that enable me to transfer the image in my mind onto a surface is critical. In an effort to convey the emotional impact the idea initially conjured up in me, I don't want to lack of technical skills to inhibit my original intent.

These images or visions in my head are most often figurative with a human drama or psychological aspect surrounding them. Thus knowing and understanding the figure is a constant obsession. I must be vigilant in my study of the form. Drawing is the foundation of my image-making and I cannot neglect it.

The image, though from a viewers perspective may appear obviously male or female in form, is many times in my vision, not gender specific. The human dramas portrayed are not those of women or of men, but are experiences or emotions we all encounter or feel.

What I do find, though, is that I seem to more effectively convey my own feelings and visions through the female figure. I have always felt more emotionally akin to the female psyche and many times although the internal drama unfolding is an expression of my own needs or desires, I express myself through a female figure, sometimes adding a facial feature of mine or musculature more like my own than that of the models.