Fine Art | Illustration | Design
Welcome to my studio
I’m Erika Karl, an artist, illustrator, designer, and recent transplant to Cleveland, Ohio via Brooklyn, New York. I have some exciting new projects brewing. Here is where I’ll share my processes and new collections.
New Watercolor Paintings…
Germanic Folklore
Frau Perchta’s Warning and Berchta’s Gift form a diptych exploring the mythic duality of the alpine goddess Berchta - dark and light, punishment and grace. Painted just in time for the winter months when the veil is thin and darkness reigns. I enjoyed creating these so I will most definitely add more.
Berchta’s Gift
15” x 18.5” watercolor on cotton paper
Frau Perchta’s Warning
15” x 18.5” watercolor on cotton paper
Some News…
I’m participating in the 2nd Annual Sk8 Show on Valentine’s Day. It’s a fundraiser for a local animal outreach center. Here’s a little sneak peak of the art on my board…
Sk8 Art Show
Benefit for Neighborhood Pets
Valentine’s Day: Saturday, February 14
Artists from the Cleveland area decked out skateboards to be sold at this art benefit show on Valentine’s Day.
Bands: Muzzle, Mr. California, Ringer, Non Bruises
Art reception 6-8 PM at B Side
Doors 8 PM | Show 8:30 PM
All Ages
Join us for a Sk8 Art show downstairs at the B Side from 6-8 PM, with bands upstairs at 8 PM - all to benefit Neighborhood Pets.
The Oracle Project
New Prints Available
Each piece in this collection is created using my homemade black walnut ink, adding a rich and earthy tone. I painted this Eclipse painting at the shores of Lake Erie under the total eclipse of 2024. This is the latest print from The Oracle Project available for a limited time.
New prints are continuously added until I complete the project and create a full deck of oracle cards. You can see how far I got to date here. If you’d like to have a part of the series for yourself, go to my print shop to find the piece that speaks to you.
In Progress…
OG Goddess
This is the Venus of Dolni Vestonice:
A pre-historic fired clay statue of another lady of fertility. One of the oldest ceramic pieces found in what is now the Czech Republic. This Venus is thought to have been adorned with feathers on her head, evidence of feathers is in the holes on her head, but it's unknown what type of feathers they were. Another interesting discovery is of a child's fingerprint on her body, pressed in before she was fired. I made this ink-wash painting with my black walnut and indigo inks.
Some are familiar with the Venus of Willendorf when it comes to ancient goddess artifacts. But did you know there are many more like her found all over Europe? I’m intrigued by these tiny sculptures carved in the Paleolithic Era, a prehistoric period some 19,000-27,000 years ago. (Don’t quote me on that, I’m still learning about these.) It’s thought they were used as a fertility totem, or perhaps a long-lost Goddess talisman. Most can fit in the palm of your hand. I’ve started painting them.
On My Desk…
Plantalismanic
I’ve been playing around with textile pattern design as a way to utilize some of my design skills. I am by no means an interior decorator, but discovering different ways to create seamless repeats has been a very satisfying way to expand my horizons. It’s a whole new way for me to tell a story with imagery.
I started this collection last month and think I may expand on it. I call it Plantalismanic which uses esoteric symbols, themes, and textures found in nature. It’s an experiment I’m having fun with and hope to have a collection of wallpapers and textiles soon.
Ink-Making Fool
I’ve been making so much ink I decided it was time to use it for something awesome. The Oracle Project is painted in black walnut ink since its warmth and natural origins lend itself well to this series. If you’d like to try your hand at natural ink-making, I have my black walnut ink recipe up on my blog…
Bottling Black Walnut Ink
Making natural ink can be both rewarding and a cost-effective way to access an art medium. My occasional newsletter will share my process and ink-making tips.
Pokeberry Ink
Buckthorn Seed Ink
Brazilwood Ink