Erica Hopper was born in Kansas City, Missouri, studied graphic and industrial design at San Diego State University, and continued her art education at the University of The Americas in Puebla, Mexico. During the 70's and 80's she was a successful illustrator with many published works in national periodicals. Today Hopper concentrates on oil media and textile design. It is clear one influences the other by the rhythm and texture found in her paintings. Hopper's paintings are compelling and abstractly interpretive. She creates delicately modulated surfaces with subtle imagery. Her color use is strong, yet positioned to create a quiet contemplation and colorful vivaciousness. While she develops figurative images with color washes and markings that are clearly defined, the edges leave an openness for imaginative completion. "I illustrate my media into fragments of shape symbolizing ideas of landscape figurative and nature's essentials", says the artist. Hopper's extensive travels have built her admiration and respect for ethnic origin and wildlife that have become a constant in her compositions. This consciousness along with imagination all come together on canvas to tell a story. Hopper says her paintings are "metaphorical interpretations of nature and the stuff of dreams in which the viewer can envision the complete scene as the imagination takes over." ACADEMICS 1968-1971 University of the Americas, Puebla, Mexico 1972 San Diego State University, CA 1973-1975 San Diego University, CA