We’re looking forward to introducing you to Erika Pifher. Check out our conversation below.
Erika, so good to connect and we’re excited to share your story and insights with our audience. There’s a ton to learn from your story, but let’s start with a warm up before we get into the heart of the interview. What do you think is misunderstood about your business?
“Artists just paint or create all day.”
The realty is that many artists spend more time on business tasks than on making art — marketing, bookkeeping, inventory, shipping, posting content, networking, applying for shows, photographing work… the list goes on. It sometimes seems like a balancing act between work and play.
Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
Hi, I’m Erika Pifher — Artist, Nature-Seeker, Joy-Chaser
Painting isn’t just my career — it’s how I experience the world. I’m constantly inspired by the small, magical moments in nature: wildflowers blooming on a warm winter night, sunlight shifting across ocean waves, or that calm, expansive feeling I get when I step outside. My process is intuitive and rooted in play, building layers of color and texture until a piece feels like it’s truly alive.
My studio is my happy place — full of music, movement, and a little bit of beautiful chaos. It’s the place where I let ideas unfold freely, where I experiment, and where I connect most deeply with my creative voice. Growing my art practice in the coastal community of Wilmington has been a beautiful journey — full of new opportunities, collaborations, and connections.
At the heart of everything I create is joy – not the loud, fleeting kind, but the kind that settles in and makes you smile every time you see it. My hope is that my paintings become daily reminders of beauty, energy, and the uplifting moments nature offers when we slow down enough to truly notice.
Amazing, so let’s take a moment to go back in time. What part of you has served its purpose and must now be released?
I’m letting go of creating for approval or following what I think people expect of me. I used to focus on what I thought others wanted to see, but I’ve realized that the paintings I create from my heart — the ones that are loose, expressive, and intuitive — are the ones that truly connect. They’re often the first to sell, as if the energy and emotion I put into them can be felt by someone else across the room. Now, I’m committed to painting from intuition, following what excites me in the moment, and trusting that authenticity will reach the people it’s meant to reach. Releasing the need for external validation has been freeing — it allows my work, and myself, to fully breathe and expand.
Was there ever a time you almost gave up?
No — my journey as an artist has just begun, and I am continually learning to navigate the challenges and uncertainties that come with it. I don’t see obstacles as signs to stop, but as proof that I’m growing, stretching, and stepping into the life I’m meant for. Every new lesson strengthens my dedication and reminds me that I’m exactly where I need to be — still moving, still discovering, still creating.
Sure, so let’s go deeper into your values and how you think. Is the public version of you the real you?
Yes — what you see publicly is genuinely who I am. Honesty is one of my core values, even when it’s uncomfortable or vulnerable.
I show up as my real self — in my art, in my relationships, and in my daily life. Integrity matters deeply to me. What you see is what you get, and that authenticity is something I protect fiercely.
Okay, so before we go, let’s tackle one more area. What do you understand deeply that most people don’t?
What I understand deeply, in a way most people don’t, is the power and necessity of personal truth — and the freedom that comes from honoring it. I’ve lived through environments where facades were the norm, where people hid behind appearances, and where honesty was discouraged or punished. That experience taught me that living authentically isn’t always easy, but it’s essential for your well-being, your creativity, and your connection to others.
I also understand that energy and emotion are felt even when unspoken. In my art, I see it happen all the time: the pieces I create freely, without overthinking, resonate with people in ways I can’t always explain. It’s a reminder that being true to yourself — emotionally, intuitively, and creatively — carries a depth and impact that most people never realize.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.erikapifherart.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/erikapifherart/
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/erika-pifher
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/erikapifherart/
Image Credits
ERIKA PIFHER
