Erica Sturla

At the Market

About

Erica is a Sussex-based artist who creates lively and colourful scenes with three-dimensional clay figures.

Originally trained in fashion illustration and journalism, Erica discovered the endless possibilities of working in the colourful medium that is polymer clay.

Surprised by the movement and personality that develops naturally when creating the characters in the polymer clay, Erica began to set her figures against traditionally-painted backgrounds.

The contrast between the lively figures and the more studied approach of the detailed background painting gives her work a very distinctive and recognisable style.

Erica shows her work in galleries and art fairs across the UK and she undertakes a number of private commissions for family portraits every year.

Over the last twelve or so years, her work has appeared on greetings cards by UK publisher, Holy Mackerel and the number of ranges and designs continue to grow. 

Artist’s Statement

When I picked up a lump of polymer clay over twenty years ago, I knew it was love at first squeeze.

At first, my polymer clay creations were colourful, but tiny. I made two inch people and stuck them to the fronts of greetings cards.

Since these small beginnings, my figures have grown considerably and now I use this amazing medium to craft detailed characters and set them in scenes which I paint in a fairly illustrative style on canvas board.

Inspirations are firmly rooted in everyday life – the joy is in creating a painting that celebrates the familiar in a new way.

I want my paintings to burst with colour and life and I love it when people smile (even laugh out loud) when they see them.

There are countless subjects waiting to be explored, but favourite themes for me are the seaside, fishing boats and crew, a busy marketplace, a life drawing class or any joyful pursuit in the great outdoors!

Recently, I’ve been experimenting with creating figures in paint only and on a much larger scale – it’s still very much work-in-progress, but trying to capture and enlarge the character of the clay figures in paint is a refreshing challenge.

Contact:  ericasturla@hotmail.co.uk

A Fisherman’s Life

Polymer clay & acrylics

55cm x 55cm

The Bandstand

Polymer clay & acrylics

46cm x 46cm           

The Riverside

Polymer clay & acrylics

65cm x 65cm           

Narrow Boats

Polymer clay & acrylics

46cm x 46cm

Havana Heat

Polymer clay & acrylics

55cm x 55cm           

Early Bath

Polymer clay & acrylics

46cm x 46cm           

Burlesque

Polymer clay & acrylics

46cm x 46cm