Shari Erickson

American contemporary painter Shari Erickson graduated with honors from the Ringling School of Art in 1970. Before gaining national recognition, she established herself as a figurative muralist in her hometown of Atlanta, Georgia. Accomplished in many media, she also became a successful art instructor, potter, and jewelry designer.
From early on, Erickson’s personal focus has been the creative contemplation of people. Sketchbook in hand, she could be found noting the gestures and body language of people in airports, courtrooms, or parks. This sensibility of figure and form remains at the heart of her talent and technique. Her love of figurative painting was renewed on her first visit to the West Indies in 1979, where she was beguiled by the saturated colors and swaying rhythms of island life. Her works often portray the day-to-day intimate lives of the families, children, merchants, and vendors of the islands, providing a rare glimpse into their real world.
To lure travelers to the Virgin Islands, US Air magazine chose Erickson’s work for their December 1993 cover along with a feature article. She has also been honored with a special award of achievement by Windsor & Newton. Although she spends much of her time exploring the Caribbean with artist husband Douglas Kahle Gifford, many of her alkyd-oil, “A la Prima” studies are completed in their Western North Carolina studio. Erickson is represented by Park West Gallery.