Illustrator Eric Wieringa will open his show at Sterling College on Thursday, October 27, from 4:00 – 6:00 p.m. Wieringa, from St. Charles, Mo., will be displaying works that cover two different genres. He will display commissioned illustrations as well as sci-fi/fantasy paintings created for the Spectrum Fantastic Art Live exhibition in Kansas City, Mo. His paintings, mostly in oil with colored pencil, cover a variety of topics and markets.

Wieringa began his art career on his parents’ farm in Midwest Michigan. There his imagination grew and developed, turning everyday items into imaginary locations, story-telling props, and tools. He began drawing the stories that he was creating, and over time, became an illustrator. His first formal training began when he was at Indiana Wesleyan University, where he discovered narrative painting. To further develop his abilities, he went on to the University of Hartford, where he earned his Master’s of Fine Arts degree under renowned artists such as Murray Tinkelman, Gary Kelley, Dennis Nolan, and Ted and Betsy Lewin.

Wieringa now works as a freelance illustrator in Missouri, with his wife and daughter. He also works with children with Autism and other developmental disorders. He teaches his students coping strategies and behavioral tools using art to express themselves. While at Sterling College, Wieringa will speak with several art classes on his technique and do a live demonstration.

For more information about the exhibit at Sterling College, contact Daniel Swartz at dswartz@sterling.eduor (620) 278-4361.