Eric Wilkerson has had an unhealthy addiction to science fiction since 1987. The genre is something he’s been passionate about ever since being introduced to Star Trek as a child. He was captivated by the franchise’s message of unity between diverse groups of people; different races, different species, all working together for a common goal. It was something that he embraced immediately because there were people on the screen that looked like him and they weren’t servants, criminals or anything stereotypical. Science Fiction at its best has always been a form of social commentary. Precautionary tales and imagery that cover issues such as politics, race, prejudice and inequality. Over the past few years Eric has been focused on painting imaginative realism that showcases more ethnic diversity and has been increasingly interested in making art with more social commentary rather than creating benign genre paintings with no real message beyond the surface details and composition.

Eric was born in 1978 in Poughkeepsie, New York. Originally intending to be a comic book artist, Eric enrolled as a cartooning major at the School of Visual Arts in 1996. His plans were forever altered early into his college life when he was introduced to the works of J.P. Targete, Thomas Blackshear and Michael Whelan. He switched his major to illustration and began intensive professional training to land work as a scifi illustrator and concept artist.

Since graduating in 2000, Eric has walked an eclectic path working as a staff and freelance illustrator, concept artist, theatrical costume designer and digital matte painter for companies such as Disney, Activision, Scholastic, Weta Workshop, Blue Man Group, Dark Horse, Upper Deck and Marvel.

Eric lives in Northern New Jersey with his wife, two children and 5 of the10 seasons of “Smallville” on DVD.

Visit Eric at ericwilkersonart.com.

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