Hi, I’m Erica!
I’m a Swedish-born, Washington D.C.-based painter specializing in pet portraits grief counselors say lead to a place of healing.
Since selling my first painting at the age of 10, I’ve had the honor of helping many customers all around the world add more meaning, culture and depth to their homes with portraits of their dogs and cats.
Some say a pet portrait is the perfect gift, and many are moved to tears when they unwrap the paintings, or see their loved ones open their thoughtful gift.
Customers trust me to come back for a second (or fifth!) within a couple of years.
Paintings of pets take 40-80 hours depending on the scope of work and my process is easy for you.
I work off of your photos to create detailed paintings. We collaborate through out the process and you get to see behind-the-scenes photos as your painting comes alive in my studio.
Paintings ship worldwide for free and I offer a 100% satisfaction guarantee.
I invite you to start your journey today and share more about your beloved pet.
xo,
“Her work truly captures what I think is the heart and soul of your pet. For me, animals are family. Her work embodies that: The animal really leaps off the canvas.”
Patti Brennan, a long time customer quoted in the Washington Post 2-page feature about Erica and her pet portraits
As Seen In
As Seen In
My process is unique and deeply rewarding.
Together we go on a journey that often leads my clients to a place of healing.
Having loved and lost myself, I’ll guide you through the painting process and share photos after each one of my painting session. It’s as close to being in the studio with me. My clients particularly feel this helps them move through the grieving process as they watch their beloved come alive on my canvas.
The memories of your experience working with me are weaved into the memories of your companionship with your pet. You’ll view your new portrait with gratitude for the relationship you shared, for the memories we’ve created throughout the creative experience and journey together, and for being able to honor your pet with your new finished original painting and heirloom. Your family, guests and history will know how special your pet was to you.
ORDERING IS EASY FOR YOU
HOW DOES IT WORK?
I paint your pet from your photos to create a detailed portrait.
A 50% deposit reserves your painting and a spot on my waitlist, with the remaining due once it’s finished.
Step-by-Step process takes 40-80 hours over a few weeks depending on the size.
Yes, I ship worldwide, for FREE!
WHAT IF I’M NOT HAPPY?
It’s completely risk free as I offer a 100% satisfaction guarantee. We work closely together and you’ll receive photos after each painting sessions.
If you’re not thrilled with your painting, you’ll get a swift and complete refund.
HOW MUCH WILL I BE INVOLVED?
As much as you want to be. I love hearing your stories about your pet as I’ll be spending lots of time with my new furry friend to capture every little detail and personality.
I’ll share the progress via photos and videos for you to enjoy.
WHAT ABOUT SHAPE AND BACKGROUND COLOR?
The shape of the canvas depends on the pose and the background color should compliment and highlight your pet’s fur.
We’ll make these decisions together. I create painting samples to hone in on the right background that works for you and your pet.
As soon as you’ve filled out the form, you’ll receive an email from my team. My pet portraits are highly sought after and I’m often in the studio painting. Once you’ve replied, I’ll read your answers, view your photos and meditate on your story and relationship. This helps me get to know you and your pet better. Then I’ll respond to you personally with insight into this one-of-a-kind painting process.
“OMG Erica… he looks “alive”! I was so nervous of reliving the loss of BamBam. I’m literally lost for words. I cannot be more grateful for your time and attention to detail that you gave both BamBam and myself. It’s as if he is present to some extent. Your guidance through this process has been priceless. Thank you so much for your masterful articulate depiction of him. I will be forever grateful.“
Robin Colvin of Virginia
WHAT CUSTOMERS ARE SAYING
“It’s absolutely perfect in every way. Love is not a strong enough word to describe this gift!! I’m truly so grateful. You’ve captured Leila perfectly! You exceeded my expectations. Thank you!! We thoroughly enjoyed the experience of watching her canvas come to life. Thank you for sharing your talent with us, working with you has been so much fun!”
R.O. of Virginia
Commissioned a pet portrait to honor Leila’s place in the family
“She’s so beautiful!!! It’s perfect! You captured her personality, her sweetness and her joyful spirit. I can’t find enough words to tell you how much I love Haley’s portrait. I will always remember the wonderful experience of being part of your work process. It is a privilege to know you. You have such an awesome talent and even more beautiful heart. I’ll be following you on instagram to see your incredible work and who you bring to life on canvas next. Thank you does not seem adequate to express my appreciation for your work and kindness.”
L.B. of Virginia
Pet memorial
“Benny brings tremendous joy during this time THANK YOU! Anyone reading this, the portrait created for me is my most precious possession ❤️❤️❤️ It is Benny. Everyone that knew Benny can’t believe you were able to capture his essence.”
M.C. of Louisiana
Pet memorial
“We are truly touched by your recreation of Corky. We couldn’t be more pleased and are thankful to have a keepsake to remind us of how special a friend that we had in our lives for 15 years and how special of a friend that we will have in our hearts forever. Each time that we look at Corky’s face, we are transported back to that spring day in the backyard, playing with him, and seeing him pause to look up at us for a moment with love. You have an extraordinary talent for humanizing the artistic process in ways that are inclusive and reflective of all interested parties. Thank you for everything!”
D.F. of Pennsylvania
Pet memorial
“I could not be happier with her portrait. You did a wonderful job “capturing” her spirit. It looks just like her. I LOVE the color we chose. Thank you so much. I loved that when I contacted you, sent the pics, told you my story about Lucy, I felt complete acceptance from you. No judgment, no rolling eyes. You were all in. You seemed honored to paint Lucy’s portrait. Lucy, who meant so much to me.”
T.H. of Texas
Surprised his wife for Christmas with a pet memorial of their sweet Lucy
ENTER FOR A CHANCE TO WIN
$300 Studio Credit! I pick a winner every month.
Enter my monthly giveaway for a chance to win $300 towards a pet portrait commission.
You’ll also receive my weekly email that fills your inbox with colorful joy, new pet portraits, behind-the-scenes in the studio, inspirational and heartfelt stories and upcoming events.
pet portraits lead to ‘place of healing’
The loss of a pet is no different from a human loss for many, and that grief can be nearly unbearable. Grief counselors agree Erica’s pet memorials provide “something akin to therapy.” (Washington Post)
“I wanted to thank you from the bottom of my heart for helping us mourn our loss. I can’t articulate how much I appreciate your kind words as we worked though the process as I shared memories and photos of him. I feel that you know him as well as I do and you captured his essence in the painting.” – N.J. of Virginia
Psychotherapist specializing in grief and loss counseling, Antonietta Corvasce: “It sounds to me like what she’s doing is an effective way of helping people mourn. She’s giving them a safe space to be able to talk about their animal, and by talking about it, that’s a way of mourning, which leads to a place of healing.” (Washington Post’s feature about Erica’s life and art)
Grief counselor Chris Hawks believes what Eriksdotter does is a sort of therapy that helps owners deal with loss. “They want some way to memorialize the animal, and the essence of guiding people through pet loss is to enable them to remember the good things and not be upset by the absence.” (Voice of America’s segment on how Erica’s art helps pet owners grieve)
Follow Along Every Step
I share photos, videos and even paint live throughout via instagram to bring you closer to the creative process as your pet comes to life. I share close ups of the brushstrokes, ‘before and after’ photos of sessions and fun real-life glimpses into the studio. Each pet has its own hashtag and instagram stories are saved. Some love to follow along, share the links with friends or after they give the painting as a gift, and others print them out as a bonus keepsake.
About Your Painter
Erica Eriksdotter fell hard for painting at an early age and sold her first painting as a 10 year old in Sweden where she was born and raised. It was a watercolor piece of a simple landscape with a red balloon floating in the air.
She’s a third-generation fine arts painter and continued to paint throughout her teens, finishing watercolor pieces while on the phone with her girlfriends or while traveling in Europe. To her, painting was an essential way of being.
After years of working with watercolors she applied the technique to acrylics – diluting every brushstroke with water for thin, thin layers, and she had found her style, and a new home outside of Washington D.C. at the age of 20.
She works the same way as the old masters, one brushstroke at a time, without any shortcuts. With their detailed and realistic look, pet portraits take 40-80 hours over a stretch of a few weeks but each finished painting is a culmination of Erica’s 30 years of dedication in the studio and the blend of her two cultures. She brings all this to every brushstroke. More, she brings her whole heart.
Erica believes in giving back to her community and a donates about 5 percent of her profits every month to animal rescue organizations and women and children in need. She pays it forward by teaching students in-person and via online courses how to paint pet portraits.
She lives in Richmond, Virginia, with her college sweetheart (another creative) and their son and daughter. Their two cats, Rasmus and Lola, who often joins her in the studio.
READ MORE ABOUT ERICA
“Thank you Erica for everything. Your extraordinary talent and your extraordinary heart. It’s been so amazing working with you and we look forward to commissioning our 4th painting with you.”
“You somehow are able to convey the ‘soul’ of the animal. Amazing. Simply amazing. You have a gift.”
“Erica does great work – she really captures the dogs’ expressions. And we like her personally. She’s great.”
“Erica is such a unique artist whose warmth and care goes in every individual project.”
“You’re first-class all the way!”
More Love Notes
“She loved it! It looks pretty realistic. Thank you, and I loved following along the process.”
G.M. of California
Gave a portrait of his girlfriend’s cat to her as a moving-in-present
“Thank you Erica for everything. Your extraordinary talent and your extraordinary heart.”
M.S. of Maryland
Repeat customer who gave a portrait to her best friend as a surprise 50th birthday present
“My husband absolutely loves the paintings! They look exactly like our cats. We’re beyond excited and thankful for your incredible work!”