We recently connected with Erica Eriksdotter and have shared our conversation below.
Erica, we’re thrilled to have you on our platform and we think there is so much folks can learn from you and your story. Something that matters deeply to us is living a life and leading a career filled with purpose and so let’s start by chatting about how you found your purpose.
I grew up in Sweden, surrounded by the magic of nature and Viking history, where my love for art was encouraged from an early age. By seven, I was painting watercolor landscapes at the family table, and at 10, I sold my first painting—a moment that showed me how my art could bring joy to others. As a third-generation painter, creativity was a part of my heritage. My mother and grandfather were both artists, and their work now hangs in my studio, a daily reminder of the roots I draw upon every time I pick up a brush.
While I knew art would always be a part of my life, I believed, like so many others, that you could only be a “successful” artist long after your time, like the old masters. So, painting became my sanctuary instead—a quiet companion that carried me through life’s changes, from moving to the U.S. for college to losing my amazing dad at 21. Even during my demanding career in public relations, painting was my refuge, a place where I could return to myself. In my mid-twenties, my style evolved as I blended the watercolor techniques of my childhood with acrylics, and I started exhibiting art and accepting commissions.
My journey as a professional pet portrait artist and finding my passion in helping others find solace and healing during their journey of pet loss, however, began with my own pet loss that felt insurmountable. When I was a teenager, I said goodbye to my childhood Yorkie, Lucas, who had been my constant companion and a source of unconditional love. His passing left a deep ache. For 12 years he was everything to me. Having experienced the profound grief of losing my own cherished dog, I empathize deeply with those going through a similar loss. I found solace in my art. I poured my emotions into each brushstroke, unknowingly laying the foundation for the work I would later come to love.
Years later, in 2011, I wanted to honor Lucas with a portrait but hesitated, fearing I might not capture his essence as he deserved. To build my confidence and emotional resilience, I painted a few “practice” portraits of wonderful clients’ pets. The response was remarkable—not only did the portraits bring healing and comfort to those families, but they also awakened something in me.
One day, I painted the eyes of a dog who had been a lifeline for her owner through immense challenges. When the owner saw the portrait, she broke down in tears, saying it felt like her dog had returned to her, even if just for a moment. That was the moment my purpose crystallized. My art wasn’t just a passion or a skill—it was a way to hold space for others, to honor love and loss, and to bring connection and healing. It was a way to help others navigate their grief.
Looking back, everything led me here: painting at the dining table in Sweden, selling my first piece at 10, grieving Lucas, and receiving that first teary-eyed thank-you from a client. Today, every pet portrait I paint is deeply personal, crafted with the same care and compassion I would have shown for Lucas. what matters most to me is the ripple effect—the way each portrait helps grieving pet parents find a sense of peace, connection, and joy.
If I could thank Lucas, I would say: “Thank you for leading me to a life of fulfillment and service. Every pet portrait I paint is a reflection of how much you loved me.”
My art is more than capturing a realistic portrait of a beloved pet, it’s about channeling love, remembrance, and connection, to a place where your pet lives on forever with an original portrait every bit as unique as your beloved pet. It’s a thread in a tapestry of shared stories—a testament to the power of art to heal, transform, and celebrate the unique relationship we have with our pets.
Great, so let’s take a few minutes and cover your story. What should folks know about you and what you do?
I paint realistic, soulful custom pet portraits that transform grief into beautiful tributes. My work goes beyond creating art—it’s about honoring the profound bond between pets and their humans. Together with my clients, we create powerful heirlooms that not only celebrate their beloved pet’s memory but also help them navigate their own healing journey. Many clients say the process feels like a spiritually transformative experience, as I address grief at every level through heartfelt communication and artistic dedication.
What makes my portraits unique is the meticulous care and compassion I pour into each piece. I spend up to 80 hours crafting every detail, ensuring the final painting is not just a likeness but a true reflection of the pet’s unique personality and spirit. From carefully selecting reference photos to sharing behind-the-scenes progress, I involve my clients every step of the way. Customers often remark on the extraordinary heart I put into my work and how they can feel their pet’s love and affection emanating from the painting.
Through this deeply personal process, we create a one-of-a-kind masterpiece that serves as a lasting tribute to the pet’s unjudging love and the unbreakable bond they shared with their family.
Beyond my custom portraits, since 2021 I’ve been guiding students of all skill levels through online courses where I teach not only how to paint pets but also the meditative joy of the process. Painting is my passion, but what has truly enriched my journey is the opportunity to give back and build a sense of community with fellow painters. Sharing this joy with others—whether through my 9-week “How to Paint a Dog Portrait” course or my Momentum membership program—has deepened my appreciation for the transformative power of art. These experiences have become more than teaching; they’re about paying forward the gifts art has given me and creating a supportive space where others can thrive.
By sharing my skills and experiences, I’ve discovered that teaching and mentoring aren’t just about imparting knowledge—they’re about creating connection, fostering confidence, and giving others the tools to express themselves and build a life they love through art.
My work has been featured in The Washington Post and in national and global media, giving me the opportunity to share the magic of what I do with a broader audience. Despite these accolades, what drives me every day is the connection I create with my clients and students. Whether I’m painting, teaching, or mentoring, my goal is the same: to celebrate love, foster creativity, and provide a safe space for healing.
There is so much advice out there about all the different skills and qualities folks need to develop in order to succeed in today’s highly competitive environment and often it can feel overwhelming. So, if we had to break it down to just the three that matter most, which three skills or qualities would you focus on?
1. Resilience: Cultivating Inner Strength
The path of an artist is full of uncertainty and challenges, but resilience is what carried me through. From navigating the loss of my childhood Yorkie, Lucas, and my father, and later, balancing a demanding career with my art, and raising small children during the pandemic, resilience gave me the ability to keep moving forward and following through with my art.
Advice:
To cultivate resilience, give yourself permission to learn, and paint in meditative step-by-steps rather than sitting down in front of a blank canvas thinking you’ll create a masterpiece in one day. Challenges in your art and in your life are inevitable, but they’re also opportunities to grow. One way to foster resilience is by establishing a painting ritual and routine. For me, walking into my studio, adjusting my easel, and preparing my paint supplies signals to my mind that it’s time to create. This simple act, repeated over a long painting career, has become a comforting and motivating habit. Sometimes sorting your paint tubes may be all the creative energy you have and yet you’re tapping into your creative joy which is what is important. Find a small ritual that activates your purpose and commit to it—it will support you when things feel tough and allow for your art to hold space for you when you need it the most.
Schedule your time to paint, even if it’s just 30 minutes a week. For 15 years, while working a demanding full-time job, I blocked off evenings and weekends for my art. By honoring that time, I stayed connected to my passion and continued growing despite the challenges of a busy schedule. Resilience is built in these small, consistent actions.
2. Intentional Connection: Building Relationships and Purpose
Connection has been at the heart of my work, whether it’s creating meaningful portraits that honor the love between pets and their families or building a community of artists through my online painting courses. These connections bring depth and purpose to my art.
Advice:
Focus on relationships, not just the work. Listen deeply, whether it’s to a client’s story about their pet or to a fellow artist sharing their struggles. Connection can also mean building a relationship with your art. Don’t wait for creative flow; instead, see your art as a practice. Over the last 30+ years, I’ve shown up for my art almost daily—not because I always felt inspired but because I committed to the process. If you’re stuck, sketch in your notebook, play with new supplies, or jot down ideas. Keep showing up, and the connection will grow stronger.
3. Craftsmanship: Honing Your Skills with Passion
From painting at the dining table in Sweden as a child to spending up to 80 hours perfecting each custom pet portrait today, craftsmanship has always been a cornerstone of my journey. Dedication to my craft—not just the technical skills but the heart behind every stroke—has allowed me to create meaningful and transformative art.
Advice:
Commit to lifelong learning and create a habit of practicing your art regularly. While everyone can paint (or be taught to), craftsmanship is rare in a world of instant satisfaction. Make it easier for yourself to develop skills by being consistent and intentional with your painting practice.
The journey ahead will be full of discovery and growth. Be patient with yourself, stay curious, and trust that every experience—good or bad—will add to the richness of your story. Build resilience through routines and rituals, nurture connections to deepen your purpose, and dedicate yourself to your craft. And above all, remember that your art, like your journey, is uniquely yours—it has the power to inspire, heal, and connect in ways you can’t yet imagine.
The world needs your art, my friend. Show up for it, even in small ways, and watch how it transforms your life and those around you.
To close, maybe we can chat about your parents and what they did that was particularly impactful for you?
As a painter, I often hear, “You must be very patient!” when people see the level of detail in my pet portraits or learn that each painting can take up to 80 hours to complete. I usually smile and shrug it off, but the truth is, patience is one of my greatest strengths—and much of that is thanks to my dad. He had a saying that stuck with me through every phase of my life: “Rome wasn’t built in a day.”
This simple phrase carried profound wisdom. It taught me to embrace the process, to trust that transformation takes time. You can’t rush growth—whether it’s your skills as an artist, your career, or even your creativity. Patience is as vital as motivation and discipline, and like any skill, it takes time to cultivate.
When we try to rush the process—whether it’s finishing a painting, achieving success, or meeting a self-imposed deadline—we set ourselves up for frustration. We judge our creativity for not flourishing fast enough or meeting our expectations, and in doing so, we resist the natural evolution of our art and ourselves.
But like my dad’s saying, Rome wasn’t built in a day, and neither is art that’s full of intention, purpose, love, and compassion. The pet portraits I create—pieces that capture the spirit of a beloved animal—are a reflection of this patience. Every brushstroke is deliberate, part of a process that unfolds slowly, layer by layer, to reveal the final masterpiece.
I invite you to bring patience into your own creative practice. Treat each step as part of a journey and trust that all is unfolding as it should. Know that you are exactly where you need to be, and that every moment you spend nurturing your craft is bringing you closer to your own transformation.
If I may, I’d also like to answer one more question: Are You Looking for Folks to Partner or Collaborate With?
Absolutely! Collaboration is a meaningful way to expand creativity, share knowledge, and connect with like-minded individuals. I’m always open to partnering with folks who share a passion for art, storytelling, and creating transformative experiences—whether that’s through pet portraiture, teaching, or fostering supportive communities for artists.
I’m especially interested in:
– Speaking engagements where I can share my journey as an artist, my process for creating soulful pet portraits, and how art can help navigate grief and celebrate love.
– Teaching and live demonstrations to inspire creativity and show the meditative joy of painting to all skill levels.
– Podcast interviews where we can have meaningful conversations about art, creativity, entrepreneurship, and the human-animal bond.
– Collaborations with artists, brands, and organizations that align with my mission to honor the love between pets and their humans, nurture creativity, and support grieving pet parents.
If you’re reading this and feel inspired to connect, I’d love to hear from you! Whether you’d like to explore a partnership, book me for a speaking engagement or podcast, or discuss teaching opportunities, please reach out. You can contact me through my website StudioEriksdotter.com or email me directly at erica@studioeriksdotter.com.
Let’s work together to create something beautiful, meaningful, and impactful!
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.StudioEriksdotter.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/studioeriksdotter
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/StudioEriksdotter
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@StudioEriksdotter
