An Artist Profile

An Artist Profile
What Makes Him Tick?

William Eric

Quick Stats
b Wilmington, Delaware, USA 1969 -
figurative and dramatic portraiture in oil

William Eric was raised in suburban New Jersey where he would make yearly holy pilgrimages with his mother to the fine and modern museums of art in New York City.  Perhaps it was missing school for the event or even remembering a favorite childhood book,  From the Mixed-Up Files of Mrs. Basil E. Frankweiler (by E.L. Konigsburg), a story of New Jersey children who ran away to hide and live in the Metropolitan Museum of Art, that made him long to be an artist. 

Being of a practical sort, William Eric chose to get his college degrees in Architecture from the University of Cincinnati, OH and only minor in Fine Art.  While at school he studied under famous 70's/80's photo-realistic artist John P. Stewart (his paintings are held in several major museums including the Whitney Museum of American Art).  Although John was to teach William for only a short time, the impact was lasting.  His philosophy, "Simply paint what you see." which still is his guiding pricipal.

William produces works that explore the themes of innocence, beauty, and the classic form using traditional techniques.  His painting heros are Odd Nerdrum, Frank Duveneck, and other impressionists artist.

William Eric's paintings are in many private collections and galleries nationwide.  He is a member of several artist organizations including several miniature societies.

For the past 12 years, William Eric lives and works from a small studio in the Chelsea neighborhood of New York City.  The Metropolitan Museum of Art remains to this day his favorite museum. 

Recently William Eric decided to continue his artistic education and discovery by studing under world renown portrait painter Nelson Shanks (http://www.NelsonShanks) at the Art Student's League in New York City for 6 months.  He has recently left Nelson's class and will be attending The Harlem Studio School under Andrea J. Smith, original drawing teacher of the Florence Art Academy.  William will be studying the Bargues and other basic drawing techniques that have been taught since 1860's.  He is also the Editor for DMOZ's (http://www.DMOZ.com) (the largest human organized directory on the net - supplying Google and others with information) categories Classical Realist Painters and Art Education Schools and Academies (including Ateliers).  In late February 2006 William will be launching a web site that will give all Classical Realist artists FREE web sites at with the non-profit organization ClassicalReaLIST.org.

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