ST. PETERSBURG — “Tradition and Impulse: Deconstructing the Modern Myth,” an exhibition featuring the paintings and illustrations of Clearwater artist C. Michael Erickson, will open on Friday, Sept. 4, at the Werk Gallery, 2210 First Ave. S., St. Petersburg.
An opening reception will take place on Sept. 4, from 5 to 9 p.m. An artist talk is scheduled for Saturday, Sept. 19, from 3 to 4 p.m. The exhibition will run through Sept. 27.
Visitors will enter realms of myth and fantasy at the Werk Gallery this September. Drawing inspiration from global myths and the European Middle Ages, Erickson’s work aims to reconnect to history through the myths, stories and ideas that shape our thinking and storytelling today. He is influenced by early Disney films, painters like John William Waterhouse for his emotional and painterly realism, Frank Frazetta for his dynamic compositions, and Larry Elmore for his visual storytelling strengths.
To create his highly realistic scenes, he employs “Old Master” techniques like graphite scrubbing to transfer a drawing to the canvas and grisaille (black and white underpainting) to establish values before finishing the painting with layers of color. Erickson is especially fond of composing “problem pictures,” a genre born in the late-Victorian age that depicts figures in ambiguous scenes, inviting the viewer to speculate and complete the narrative in their mind. With his painting “Slayer,” the viewer is first confronted with the archetypal dragon vs. knight scene until it becomes evident that the dragon’s aggression is defensive as she is protecting her nest.
Erickson has lived in Florida since he was 9 months old. He currently lives and works in Clearwater. He attended the prestigious visual arts program at Pinellas County Center for the Arts at Gibbs High School, graduating in 1995, continuing with art studies at St Petersburg College and earning an Associate of Arts from Florida Metropolitan University with a concentration in Commercial Art.
In addition to his studio work, Erickson has illustrated “Game of Thrones” game cards for Fantasy Flight Games, and role-playing cards and manual covers for Bastion Press and Goodman Games. He has also completed commissions and murals for private clients locally. Erickson shows his work often in local exhibitions and was awarded Best of Show (2011), 1st Place (2010), Honorable Mention (2012) in the Pinellas County Employee Art Exhibitions.
The Werk Gallery is open Wednesday, noon to 5 p.m.; Thursday through Saturday, noon to 7 p.m.; and Sunday, noon to 5 p.m. Visit thewerk.gallery.