Erik Westlund bio

Don't let the boyish face fool you. Born in Silver Spring, Maryland Erik is an artist with a diverse and varied life story. He graduated with his BFA degree in General Fine Art from The Maryland Institute College of Art located in Baltimore, Maryland and later earned his MFA degree in Computer Art from Savannah College of Art and Design located in Savannah, Georgia.

The arts have always been a large part of Erik's life as has learning in all areas including music, movement, and many traditional mediums of visual expression. He has participated in group exhibits of traditional painting, worked in publishing as a graphic designer, and has had examples of his independent animated shorts screened in various festivals around the US. In contrast Erik has also worked in many practical trades, on a factory production line, in heavy construction, in high-end electronic prepress, in computer support, and assisted teaching severely emotionally disturbed adolescents Baltimore City Public Schools as part of a public/private partnership. Developing a career in animation has allowed Erik to combine all his interests and the stories from his diverse life experiences into one creative arena.

In one form or another teaching has been a significant part of Erik's life for more than two decades. Currently, Erik teaches Animation at the The Art Center Design College located in Tucson, AZ.

Oh dear, and now he has a blog too.