About Erika Farkas

I am a self-taught Canadian artist with Transylvanian roots living in Ottawa, the beautiful capital of Canada.

My greatest passion lies in the portraying of the human form. There’s something about the way the body moves and the emotions it can convey that continues to fascinate me. Whether through a stroke of a brush or a simple pencil line, I find myself drawn to exploring these nuances and complexities.   I connect with my subject on a deep level, trying to convey their essence and personality by observing every detail, every line, every shade. It truly is a profound and rewarding experience to create a representation of someone’s essence, and the connection I feel with the figure is something that stays with me long after the artwork is finished.

Working in series, which is a collection of similar works, allows me a deep exploration of a specific theme or concept, enabling me to delve into the nuances and possibilities within that framework. In 2023, I created my Waterworks series, a collection of water-themed oil paintings.  In these works, I aimed to evoke a sense of energy and movement surrounding the main figure immersed in water or underwater, while trying to depict the fluid translucency of the water itself using techniques ranging from impressionism to hyperrealism. Water-themed figurative works have an enduring appeal for me that continue to captivate me, and hopefully I can convey this feeling and emotion to the viewer.

More recently, I started a new series called Altered Realism. By blending traditional black and white portraiture with surreal and abstract elements, I aim to push the boundaries of artistic expression and to invite viewers to question their own perceptions of reality. The juxtaposition of classic beauty with surreal elements hopefully creates a captivating and thought-provoking experience for the audience, allowing them to explore my new dimensions of creativity and interpretation.

My sold works and commissions have found their forever home throughout North America, Europe, and Asia.