About the Artist

Biography

Tammra Erickson’s love for animals started when she was a young girl. She began drawing animals at the age of 6. She has always known she had God given talent for art. Erickson would draw chalk drawings on her sidewalk for people walking by her house when she was 7 years old. Her sidewalk drawings were featured in the local newspaper. She continued drawing throughout her school years, winning art competitions, selling artwork, and doing commission pieces in high school. 

Erickson attended two universities where she studied Art and Interior Design. She continued to draw and paint on occasion throughout her 20’s.  In her mid-to-late-20’s, Erickson worked for an artist, who was an exceptional watercolor artist. Erickson helped paint, frame her pieces and do art shows. She learned a great deal about the hard work involved in running an art business. She taught private art lessons to children and adults for 19 years. Erickson continued to paint and draw while she was raising her own children. 

In 2008, Erickson’s move to Wyoming provided an opportunity to combine her love of art and wildlife. Erickson became an art instructor at a local Community College. In Wyoming, she has experienced much of the western cowboy lifestyle and developed an intense relationship with horses. In 2017 she became a professional horse trainer. Her relationship with horses has allowed her to study their behavior, conformation and movements-allowing their realistic portrayal in Erickson’s art. The western lifestyle began to embed in her life. Her natural fascination and passion with western wildlife and lifestyle are shown in her drawings and throughout her paintings. 

Erickson finds inspiration from other artists. Erickson and her sister, Gwen Rinaldi give each other confidence and motivate each other to improve. . 

Erickson is inspired by the incredible realism of Karmel Timmons, who is an excellent artist in her graphite pencil drawings. She is also inspired by Mark Mckenna, and Christopher Remmers, who are artists that have expression, realism, color, light and glow to their paintings. Their ability to portray reality and the use of color draws their viewers into the world of their pieces. Erickson also follows the work of Carla Grace, who uses the realism of her pencil drawings to enhance the details of her acrylic and oil paintings. 

Erickson tries to focus her work on subjects that elicit a strong sense of emotion with a storyline that is tied to who she is.  She loves outdoors-working, playing, and relaxing in nature.  She has a passion for animals and is fascinated by how they survive and thrive in the harsh climate of the Rocky Mountains.  

She loves to share these daily experiences and the nature around her through her artwork.  Erickson is immersed in these beautiful views, and she wants to bring them to everyone with a care or passing eye.  She loves the stories behind each piece she creates. Her life, in her later years, was a storybook of western culture and awe-inspiring wildlife found within it. She hopes each piece of her artwork can serve as an illustration for your western journey.  

Exhibitions and Galleries

• 2025 Star Valley Arts Council Plein Air Event Star Valley, WY
• 2025 Star Valley Quick Draw Competition Afton, WY
• 2025 Alpine Star Valley Arts Council Auction, Alpine, WY
• 2024 Alpine Star Valley Arts Council Auction, Alpine, WY
• 2023 Reserve Our Gallery Woodland Park, CO
• 2022 - 2025 Exhibition - Lincoln County Arts and Crafts Fair Afton, WY
• 2022 Art Show - Star Valley Art Trail Afton, WY

Awards

• 2025 Lincoln County Arts and Crafts Fair Afton, WY – Overall Grand Champion
• 2024 Lincoln County Arts and Crafts Fair Afton, WY – Best in show
• 2023 Lincoln County Arts and Crafts Fair Afton, WY – Best in show
• 2022 Lincoln County Arts and Crafts Fair Afton, WY – Best in show