It is a baptism by fire. It is in the process of creating that I find the paintings. Step by step- taking away, putting in, tearing, burning, washing away and rebuilding. Going around and around- working on many paintings at once - this is my passionate and maddening dance. I pour out and sacrifice what is necessary in life to put myself at the mercy of this creative process. I do this, with what some call tenacity, in the hopes that the paintings’ effects will be much bigger than me.

I am incredibly inspired by nature as well as the conflict between nature and man made things. Daily I take in images around me, ingest them and they become mixed with the emotional and spiritual aspects of my life. What comes out is a new creation born of observation, passion and empathy. They all meld into one as I approach my work. Painting with encaustic, or everything and the kitchen sink (mixed media), I wrestle with them until they sit quiet and finished amongst the wreckage of my studio.

I relish the intimate relationship that can be had between a viewer and a work of art. There is a feeling of ownership as one stands before it and finds a chord struck deep within them. When I witness this happening with one of my paintings I step back, sigh in gratitude and tiptoe away. It is in this connection that something much bigger steps into place and turns ones heart so meaningfully to wood and materials with depth. It both humbles me and entices me on. In response to this I say, come what may- I will die doing this.

Erica Brown is a Philadelphia area native. She is both self-taught and largely influenced by her education at Tyler School of art. She has been involved in several solo shows, group shows, and donated pieces to charity auctions. She has pieces in private collections from coast to coast. Miss Brown has a background in art education and art therapy. She currently resides and has her studio in West Chester, Pennsylvania.

11/14/07