Erika Farkas
I am a self-taught artist with Transylvanian roots living in Ottawa since the late 1980s. Immigrating to Canada at a time when hi-tech was booming drove me to pursue a degree in electrical engineering. A career in Information Technology with the City of Ottawa left me with little room for artistic endeavours.
My eye-opening moment was when I turned 50 and I realized that life was too short to let my dreams go to waste. So, I picked up a pencil and started drawing. I began exhibiting my figurative pencil drawings a year later and has won since several awards in local and international art exhibitions.
Having started out late in life, I was interested to try out different media: graphite, charcoal, coloured and pastel pencils, acrylic, oil, resin, often mixing several of them together for an enhanced visual effect. I experimented with styles from realistic to abstract, and even 3D collage. But in the end, I always seem to return to what really started me on this path: realistic pencil portraiture and figurative art. Although working with a brush or a palette knife have their own merit, there is no better feeling for me than the control I have over a pencil guided by my steady hand.
As an active member of several art organizations in the Ottawa area, I exhibit throughout the year in selected community and commercial galleries, most notably at the Foyer Gallery in Ottawa. Since my retirement from the City in early 2022, I have been a full-time artist and able to finally be what I feel I was truly meant to be.
ARTIST’S STATEMENT
We can only see what our perception allows us to see. Distracted by meaningless details, we are often missing the whole picture. My philosophy is that we humans have at least two conflicting sides: a conformist, needing-to-fit-in side that we show to the world (depicted as monochrome in my art), and a hidden, rebellious, more colourful side we ourselves often ignore, but evident to those who know us deep down. These sides intertwine and merge into our personality without a tangible boundary. This is what defines us as unique and complex human beings.
What inspires my art is the beauty of my perceived reality. I can see so much beauty in the intricacies of the human figure, in the emotional power of a gesture, in the smile of a ragged old face, in the innocent expression of a child, in the seductive glance of a person, if I don’t just look with my eyes, but also with my heart. Capturing and sharing the essence of this beauty through my artworks has become my life’s passion and gives me tremendous joy and complete emotional fulfilment.
I am a self-taught artist with Transylvanian roots living in Ottawa since the late 1980s. Immigrating to Canada at a time when hi-tech was booming drove me to pursue a degree in electrical engineering. A career in Information Technology with the City of Ottawa left me with little room for artistic endeavours.
My eye-opening moment was when I turned 50 and I realized that life was too short to let my dreams go to waste. So, I picked up a pencil and started drawing. I began exhibiting my figurative pencil drawings a year later and has won since several awards in local and international art exhibitions.
Having started out late in life, I was interested to try out different media: graphite, charcoal, coloured and pastel pencils, acrylic, oil, resin, often mixing several of them together for an enhanced visual effect. I experimented with styles from realistic to abstract, and even 3D collage. But in the end, I always seem to return to what really started me on this path: realistic pencil portraiture and figurative art. Although working with a brush or a palette knife have their own merit, there is no better feeling for me than the control I have over a pencil guided by my steady hand.
As an active member of several art organizations in the Ottawa area, I exhibit throughout the year in selected community and commercial galleries, most notably at the Foyer Gallery in Ottawa. Since my retirement from the City in early 2022, I have been a full-time artist and able to finally be what I feel I was truly meant to be.
ARTIST’S STATEMENT
We can only see what our perception allows us to see. Distracted by meaningless details, we are often missing the whole picture. My philosophy is that we humans have at least two conflicting sides: a conformist, needing-to-fit-in side that we show to the world (depicted as monochrome in my art), and a hidden, rebellious, more colourful side we ourselves often ignore, but evident to those who know us deep down. These sides intertwine and merge into our personality without a tangible boundary. This is what defines us as unique and complex human beings.
What inspires my art is the beauty of my perceived reality. I can see so much beauty in the intricacies of the human figure, in the emotional power of a gesture, in the smile of a ragged old face, in the innocent expression of a child, in the seductive glance of a person, if I don’t just look with my eyes, but also with my heart. Capturing and sharing the essence of this beauty through my artworks has become my life’s passion and gives me tremendous joy and complete emotional fulfilment.
$450.00 CAD
Pastel pencils on clairefontaine pastelmat paper (matted and framed).
22x18"
This artwork was created with pastel pencils on Clairefontaine Pastelmat paper. Actual artwork size is 15.5" x 12".
Matted in a glass-protected frame, as shown.
$1,160.00 CAD
Pastels on paper (framed).
18x24"
I created this artwork with pastel pencils on Clairefontaine Pastelmat, a paper card specially created for pastel paintings. Pastel works age beautifully, their brilliant colour does not fade with the passing of time.
This artwork is part of my Lady in Red Series. The size of the actual artwork is 17.5" x 13.5".
I will ship the artwork matted with an off- white mat and framed in a golden metallic frame, protected by glass. Ready to be hung on your wall!
Shipping is included in the price, but the buyer is responsible for any customs charges.
$1,015.00 CAD
Pastel pencils on clairefontaine pastelmat paper (matted and framed).
18x22"
This painting has been created with pastel pencils on Clairefontaine Pastelmat paper. Size of the actual artwork is 15.5" x 12".
Matted in a glass protected frame, as shown.
$1,015.00 CAD
Pastels on paper (framed).
18x22"
I created this artwork representing a semi-nude of a beautiful woman with pastel pencils on Clairefontaine Pastelmat, a paper card specially created for pastel paintings. Pastel works age beautifully, they do not change their colour or fade with the passing of time.
I will ship this artwork matted and framed in a black frame protected by plexiglass, ready to hang on your wall. Shipping is included in the price. Customs charges are paid by the buyer, if applicable
