Poetically capturing the vibrant spirit of the California landscape, Erik Tiemens’s work reflects his strong admiration and appreciation for the Old Masters. In his latest paintings, Tiemens explores the theme of ruins reimagined in California, as well as the relationship between European art from the Dutch Golden Age and classical historic paintings from Rome in the 1600s. The similarities of the Roman Campagna and the Golden State’s oak-covered hillsides proves to be a fruitful area of discovery in finding a synthesis to the pictorial past.
Erik is known internationally as a painter of fine landscapes with a classical influence. He studied traditional drawing and painting at Art Center College of Design in Pasadena, California, graduating with distinction in 1990. He has since worked on many film and design projects, primarily as an art director for Industrial Light and Magic, creating storyboards, concept paintings and providing art direction. While working in the entertainment field he has never wavered from his passion for traditional art. Fueled by travels to European art museums and absorbing scenic cities and towns, Tiemens has always sketched and painted. This serves as a library of ideas and environments for his personal and professional work. Landscape painting has always captured his imagination and he enjoys studying old masters from the 16th – 19th centuries. This deep appreciation informs his palette and choice of subject matter. Tiemens’ current focus is toward creating romantic landscapes with dramatic use of light and shadow. Now living in Sausalito, California, his work has been shown in galleries and exhibitions around the world
He is available for private commissions. Visit Erik’s website at watersketch.com.
Read an excellent interview with the artist on the website of the digital magazine Boldbrush, here…
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View this artist's archived work
A Landscape From Memory
Watercolor and gouache on paper, 10 1/8″ x 14 1/8″. Painting only: $2,600.
Framed in a No. 300—2 1/2″ in quartersawn white oak with Saturated Medieval stain. Bronze waxed slip. (Inquire for other frame options).
Painting framed as shown: $3,400.
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Valley of Plenty
Watercolor and gouache on paper, 4 1/8″ x 9 5/8″. Painting only: $950.
Framed in a No. 300.6—2″ with bronze waxed sight edge. Quartersawn white oak with Dark Medieval stain. (Inquire for other frame options).
Painting framed as shown: $1,700.
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Bonnington’s Beach
Watercolor and pen and ink on French linen paper, 6 1/4″ x 9 3/4″. Painting only: $1,200.
Framed in a No. 322—2″ in quartersawn white oak with Saturated Medieval stain. Bronze waxed slip. (Inquire for other frame options).
Painting framed as shown: $2,000.
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Contours of Change
Watercolor and gouache on paper, 10 1/8″ x 14 1/8″. Painting only: $2,600.
Framed in a No. 2—2 1/2″ in quartersawn white oak with Dark Medieval stain. Carved and bronze waxed slip. (Inquire for other frame options).
Painting framed as shown: $3,500.
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Rhythms of Nature
Watercolor and gouache on board, 7 1/2″ x 11″. Painting only: $1,560.
Framed in a No. 328—1″ in quartersawn white oak with Medieval stain. Archivally framed with UV-resistant and glare-reducing Museum glass. (Inquire for other frame options).
Painting framed as shown: $1,950.
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Cliffs Before the Farallons
2021. Water-Soluble Wax Paint on wood panel. 16″ x 20″. Painting only: $2,750.
Framed in a No. 328—3″ in quartersawn white oak with Saturated Medieval stain. 18kt gilt slip. (Inquire for other frame options.)
Painting framed as shown: $3,600.
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Dance of the Clouds
2020. Water-Soluble Wax Paint on wood panel, 5″ x 7″. Painting only: $1,200.
Framed in a Custom No. 1.4 CV—1-3/4″ in quartersawn white oak with Saturated Medieval stain. 23kt gilt carved liner. (Inquire for other frame options).
Painting framed as shown: $1,700.
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Pastoral Spring
2020. Water-Soluble Wax Paint on wood panel, 5″ x 7″. Painting only: $1,200.
Framed in a Custom No. 1.4 CV—1-3/4″ in quartersawn white oak with Saturated Medieval stain. 23kt gilt carved liner. (Inquire for other frame options).
Painting framed as shown: $1,700.
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Path to Limestone Canyon
2020. Water-Soluble Wax Paint on wood panel, 18″ x 18″.
Framed in a Compound No. 480 + Sub No. 308—4″ in quartersawn white oak with Medieval stain. 18kt gilt slip.
$3,900 framed.
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