Born on the West Coast of Canada, Erika moved to Alberta as a young child. Her natural aesthetic was greatly influenced by this contrast of landscape, between coastal and prairie, which has lead to a lifelong passion for the beauty nature has to offer. Erika has also been greatly influenced by Asian Style and the Arts and Crafts movements. Perhaps the most important influence on her painting style however, is the work of the Scottish artist Margaret MacDonald-Mackintosh who inspired the "drawing with paint" technique which Erika employs in her own acrylic paintings, today.