Local artist grounds reality on canvas

Jeffrey Erken’s paintings are a reflection into his world. He’s refining his next image on the computer, a self portrait taken in a mirror, prior to putting brush to canvas. Lake Goodwin resident Jeffrey Erken is an artist, period.

No additional title is needed, warranted or required.

Yes, his painting “Going on with God” hangs at the Smithsonian Institution’s International Galley on the National Mall in Washington, D.C., with a contemporary art exhibition on disability, but he doesn’t feel defined by his disorder, as an artist or a person.

The 32-year-old was diagnosed with schizoaffective disorder, a form of schizophrenia, while attending the University of Washington (UW) 10 years ago.

“On the spectrum of schizophrenia, my disorder is more treatable,” said Erken.

He has ups and downs in moods, but the original psychosis he experienced years ago is in check.

After graduating from Arlington High School in 1996, Erken studied economics at UW; however, he continued to draw and paint on a regular basis.

Art was enjoyable, but simply a hobby — a means of escape and self-expression during a confusing time.

After several bouts with depression started interfering with his studies and daily life, Erken was tested by mental health experts.

“At the beginning, I was very averse to being diagnosed with schizophrenia,” he said.

A sense of denial overwhelmed him.

Erken credits his mother, Sandi Hamilton, for helping him cope.

“She brought home a book titled ‘Living with PHOTO BY ADAM STEWART | STANWOOD/CAMANO NEWS Schizophrenia,’” he said. “That’s when it really sunk in.”

At the same time, Erken found solace in painting.

“The art never left me,” he said. “It will always be there.”

The self-taught conceptual artist works from found images collected from magazines, newspapers, the Internet and photographs.

“I save everything that kinda grabs me,” he said.

From a single image loaded into his computer, Erken layers subsequent pictures into the software.

Erken shifts and distorts the compilation until “a theme is satisfied in my mind,” he said.

That’s when the oils and pastels come out.

“I want to create depth and layers in my work,” he said.

At the same time, Erken aims to simplify his paintings, to “get rid of extraneous elements.”

The juxtaposition of simplicity within a collage mirrors the artist’s internal struggles.

“I’ve been told that all of my work has to do with good versus evil,” he said.

Erken plans to continue that battle by developing a collection of paintings for his own show.

His recent showing at the “Revealing Culture” exhibition, as well as the sales of two of his early works, are indications that Erken’s tapped into something personal, and unique.

But, he’s not letting a disorder get in the way, for good or bad.

“I’m just an artist,” he said, “an artist willing to talk about what I have.”

For more information, or to inquire about Jeffrey Erken’s artwork, e-mail the artist at jeffrey.erken. art@gmail.com.

Staff Reporter Adam Stewart: 629-8066 ext. 115 or astewart@scnews.com.