My work starts with a narrative; a story line that tugs at me. To visually express the story, my work typically evolves from a series of drawings to final painting - sometimes a straightforward process, sometimes circuitous.
Whether a landscape, still life, or the human figure, I approach them as dimensional environments - each with a distinct architecture, texture and color scheme. The composition and placement of the subject into the illusion of three-dimensional space is what ultimately makes the image successful - or not.
I aim to create works that present a moment of meditation and serenity to the viewer. That is what the act of painting provides me. I can't think of anything I'd rather be doing, and with the smell of turpentine in my nostrils, I lose myself in my work as time itself stops and waits for me.
Eric was born in Rotterdam, The Netherlands and raised in Laren (N.H.), a village made famous by the “Larensche School” of landscape painters such as Jozef Israels and Anton Mauve. The sand dunes with their vibrant purple heather and silver birches, and the occasional flock of grazing sheep, have made a lasting impression on Eric's work. Later, Eric studied traditional printmaking techniques at Atelier Agib in Brussels, Belgium, before studying at Philadelphia College of Art, where he graduated with a BFA in printmaking.
During the early to mid 80s, Eric taught at Maryland Institute College of Art (MICA), West Chester University and Philadelphia College of Art and, as Master Printer at Brandywine Graphic Workshop, worked with many artists on translating their work into limited edition screenprints. To support his growing family, Eric then founded and led Articus, one of the largest advertising agencies in Philadelphia, until roughly 2020.
Able to return to his roots, Eric’s studio practice is primarily focused on drawing and painting, and his work is represented by a number of galleries in the U.S. and the Netherlands. His prints are in the permanent collection of the Free Library of Philadelphia among others. His figurative paintings are in private collections as well as in the collection of Thomas Jefferson University where he was honored with the annual faculty commission (a tradition dating back to Thomas Eakins) titled Herr Doctor Behrend. His work has been shown in national juried shows at the Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts, University of the Arts, and he has won numerous 'best in show' awards such as the Fleisher Art Memorial Spring Show, the Long Beach Island Arts Foundation’s annual plein air show, and the annual Masonic Library and Museum show. He lives and works in University City, Philadelphia, and in Barnegat Light, NJ.
1973
Atelier Agib, Brussels, Belgium
Etching, Intaglio
1974-78
Philadelphia College of Art, Philadelphia, PA
BFA Printmaking
1980 - 1985
Master Printer, Silkscreen, Brandywine Graphics Workshop, Philadelphia, PA
1981 - 1984
Philadelphia College of Art, Adjunct Professor, Graphic Design
1982
Maryland Institute College of Art, Adjunct Professor, Printmaking
1983
West Chester University, Adjunct Professor, Graphic Design and Printmaking
1985 - 2020
The “Gap” Years
Eric built and led one of the largest ad agencies in Philadelphia: Articus Ltd.
Thomas Jefferson University – Portrait of Herr Dr. Bernd, oil on panel
Philadelphia Library Foundation – Dutch Artist, silkscreen print
Please contact Eric directly for information about private collections
2022
Beaumont Art Gallery, Bryn Mawr, PA, People and Places: 2019 – 2022
2017
Annual Spring Show, Fleisher Art Memorial, Philadelphia, PA
First Prize ,figure painting
2018
1st Annual Plein Air Competition, LBI Foundation of the Arts and Sciences, Love Ladies, NJ
Best of Show for “Blue Tractor”
2019
In God We Trust, National Juried Show, Hera Gallery, Kingston RICurated by Nezka Pfeifer, portrait “Maia and Adrienne”
2019
Juried Exhibition, Masonic Library and Museum of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA
1st prize for still life “Sticks and Stones #6”
2020
3rd Annual Plein Air Competition, LBIF Foundation of the Arts and Sciences, Love Ladies, NJ
2021
Oxford Art Alliance, Oxford, PA
Juried Exhibition
2022
10th Annual Juried Exhibition, Cerulean Gallery, Philadelphia, PA
Juried by Jill Rupinski, portrait “Exquisite Torture of Waiting”
2023
conFIGUREation, Chris White Gallery, Wilmington DE
Curated by Rebecca Howell, seven members of the “The Group”
2024
10th Annual Juried Show, Oxford Art Alliance, Oxford, PA
Curated by Lisa Bartolozzi
Landscapes, Wildflowers Gallery, Barnegat Light, NJ
Still Lifes, Twigs Gallery, Barnegat Light, NJ
LBI Foundation of the Arts and Sciences, Love Ladies, NJ
Main Line Arts Center, Haverford, PA
Community Arts Center (CAC), Wallingford, PA
Plastic Club, Philadelphia, PA
InLiquid, Philadelphia, PA
