Artist of the Month: Erika Kramer ‘22

Julia Baggini ‘25 | Kassidy Kryukov ‘24

Erika Kramer ‘22 is December’s Artist of the Month for her excellence in 2D design. Kramer explains that her passion began in seventh grade when “Mr. Sigel made the Art of Invention Elective…that was the start of me loving art.” Kramer continued her artistic journey by taking Foundations of Art as a Freshman, and ever since has been involved with the Honors Art courses offered at EA. 

David Sigel, Upper School Art Department Chair and Kramer’s mentor, describes that Kramer has the ability to convey her feelings in her work, as “she may talk softly, but she roars in her art.” Sigel continues by saying that what makes Kramer an exceptional student is “her resolve to always give her best. I think she is extremely skilled, has a natural talent, and has the discipline to allow that to happen and to come to life through her art. I think she is incredibly insightful and sensitive and kind. All of those characteristics come to life in her subtle movement and manipulation of the medium and materials.”

Kramer’s greatest strength is her understanding of color and realism, which have grown tremendously throughout her years of practice. Kramer explains that compared to the beginning of her art career “I think I have a better understanding of how to use color and shape in realism. Looking at my first realistic painting, it was really hard for me to navigate which color should go where and why the shapes and objects I created didn’t look like the reference photo. Mr. Sigel told me something one day basically along the lines of…thinking in the shapes of color rather than what you immediately think a painting should or should not look like is a much easier way to go about painting in realism.” 

Sigel recognizes this dedication and explains that Kramer is “unwavering in her discipline and always strives for excellence in whatever she does. She is one of those students who is willing to put down a mark or create a visual and then step back and reflect on it so she can make a strong assessment of what to do next. Oftentimes it’s an honest approach where she then is willing to erase, change, and make the mark that she invisions.” 

William Sargent ‘22, Kramer’s classmate, agrees with Sigel’s assessment and adds, “I think her art is very meticulous. There is never a detail that is undertheorized; every single part of it is so detailed and clean and refined.”  

In the future, Kramer aims to stray away from realism and explore abstract art. Kramer explains that this would entail “less defined, realistic pieces where I can just be more free with my paint strokes. I don’t want to limit myself to what I see, but expand to what I feel about whatever I’m creating.” 

Despite this curiosity with abstract work, Kramer says that her personal favorite painting that she has completed is of Vietnamese sea monsters swimming through waves. The painting displays Kramer’s knowledge of color and form, while also showcasing her dexterity with paint. She explains “I liked how it turned out and captured the intended meaning. I was able to paint something and add a little bit of realism with acrylic paint, which I don’t normally do.”  

Although she really appreciates this project, Sigel and Sargent believe her self portrait painting is the most skillful piece she has done. “It was an amazing piece that showed her ability and skill of capturing nature,” Sigel observes, “but also having a keen, creative voice that shared what she wanted to share with the world.” Her self portrait is a depiction of a reflection of her in leaves with a sycamore tree. The splash of light painted on her face accentuates her knowledge of light and color, and allows the viewer to further appreciate her ability to render detail and create appealing pieces.

Although art has played a large role in Kramer’s high school experience, she does not plan on pursuing 2D design as a career. Kramer explains, “I’ve always done little, artsy things, so I think I will do that in the future. I used to sew, I used to make a lot of jewelry. I probably will have little hobby phases.” Sigel supports her decision by adding, “My only wish is that she goes forth and continues to celebrate her own creativity.”