bio
"The Art of Erika Brown is as much about herself as it is about the World in which she exists.
Spirituality, Conflict, Love, Loss, Love Revisited. These themes date back to the earliest genesis of EWB's work, likely because these have remained a constant in her life since her earliest years of family and relationships.
Her Mother taught her to read Astrology, her Brother schooled her on how to both support and distance family and her Loves, who came and went and surfaced again, leaving her with fascination and frustration and two amazing and lovely children. How can one not find a Muse in children?
Spirituality is the undeniable levity in her work. It has an uplifting quality for both the viewer and, I imagine, The Artist. As means of transcendence.
Beauty as a force. Beauty that is in charge, rebellious, female and matriarchal. Beauty was never a quality that was supported in art school, it was weak and uninspired. Never to be used as a tool. Erika used lipstick as a paint, literally tossing the "art school rules" out the window. Defiant!
"Friendship as a boat on an ocean of activity. Transporting to a safer place, somewhere where Life is romantic, Love is constantly challenging and Trust is never compromised."
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Melissa Muller
"Erika Brown's belief in symbolism as catalyst and key to the subconscious is the beginning of our long journey back to ourselves. "
"Women of Myth and The Asana Series are assembled in a blend of earth and spirit in the paintings of Manhattan born artist Erika Brown. Brown's gem toned palette and strong lines suit the significance of her mystic characters and themes.
With Women of Myth and Manifestation, ritualistic settings, ceremonial grandeur and a respect for the unseen reflect the inspiration of Gustave Moreau and Sir Edward Byrne-Jones, the 19th century masters of symbolist art.
Brown shares a similar responsiveness to certain psychological truths found in classical mythology and the world beyond the senses.
The Asana Series was born from The Lovers and Phoenix Rising. Two paintings steeped in symbolic tradition but leaning more towards spiritualism than myth. Studying mythology, fairy tales, modern philosophy, psychology and alternative healing arts; her work is a reflection of individualistic examination of her own spirituality and set of beliefs as well as her relation to the world around her.
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the berkshires
The Berkshires has been the home of artists' Norman Rockwell, Edith Wharton, Herman Melville, Arlo Guthrie, Daniel Chester French; and the home of W.E.B Dubois. And right over the border in Austrelitz, Edna St Vincent Millay, whose 4 bedroom servants quarter I had the auspicious privilege to live in for an entire year up on Steeple Top. Today the Berkshires is home to many more accomplished and flourishing artists known and unknown. Painters, Walton Ford, Gabriel Senza, Benjamin Tritt; sculptor, Joseph Wheaton; photographers, Clemens Kalischer, Cassandra Sohn, Will Wendt, Singer/songwriter James Taylor, actress/knitter Karen Allen to name a few you may know.
There are many many more here, in the quiet folds of windy roads and tall, lush trees. As Tolkien's Shire invokes a realm of magic within nature, so does ours here.
In fact, my neighbor, some time ago, had christened their home Bag End!
A true Bohemian paradise with a tinge of proper blue blood sensibility. As artists, we are free to roam, to dream, to create and have respite.
To live here is to love here. We have been blessed to have found such untouched beauty. Wild yet safe. Cultivated yet quirky.
Amidst the sparkling water, fresh air and comfortable company, many of us find ourselves returning again and again to discover, to dance, to dream.