Erik Barton, an only child born in 1971 in Highland Park, Illinois spent his early formative years in Steamboat Springs, Colorado. This small ski resort city in the mountains of Colorado nurtured Erik’s love for the outdoors where he honed his ability to see nature and perspective in unique ways. He felt attuned to his environment and the subtle harmonious changes of nature throughout the four seasons. He loved hiking and thrived on the way nature and its energy was always flowing through the mountains, streams, and valleys.
Erik attended the Ringling School of Art and Design in Florida, receiving his BFA in 1994. Upon graduation from Ringling he traveled and pursued independent studies in Europe. Returning to Naples, Florida he continued to support himself through the creation of murals often stressing classical subjects. Concurrently he paints works on paper, wood, and canvas to expand his collection of personal paintings that reflect his own creative energies rather than addressing the requested subjects of his mural commissions. While his personal paintings used the material and techniques of the classical masters, his subject matter composed of symbols, icons, and dreams became more exotic and reflective of the Caribbean and South American cultures. This was the result of his travels through Mexico, Costa Rica, Buenos Aires, Northern Argentina and the Caribbean.
Erik’s art is now becoming recognized through art patrons and collectors throughout Florida. He is also receiving international recognition for his classical style of painting. In 2024 he was recognized by the Accademia Del Verbano in Italy where he was award the title of “Professor-Associate Academician Del Verbano” by the general presidence of the Accademia Internazionale—Greci Marino.
In Naples, Florida, his work may be viewed at his private studio and the Collector’s Corner at the Naples Philharmonic Center for the Arts.
