Meet Leigh Erickson of Boulder

Today we’d like to introduce you to Leigh Erickson.

Hi Leigh, it’s an honor to have you on the platform. Thanks for taking the time to share your story with us – to start maybe you can share some of your backstory with our readers?
I’ve always known I was an artist, but like many, my path wasn’t linear. I studied Graphic Design and Arts Administration, graduating just after the 2008 crash. I moved from Vermont to Salt Lake City for what felt like a dream internship with a ski company. But spending so much time on a computer left me creatively drained — I missed the organic rhythm of painting. I kept up side projects, but eventually felt called to reset. I set my sights on Portland, but you could say the Universe intervened, and I ended up in Santa Cruz, CA.

That’s where everything changed. I was deeply inspired by the local flora and landscape — all I wanted to do was paint what I saw. I became determined to have a studio and devote myself fully to my art. A serendipitous meeting at a coffee shop led to my first shared studio space. Soon after, I met Dana, who became both my co-founder and close friend. Within six months, we had turned our space into a gallery and co-founded The Art Cave, which quickly became one of Santa Cruz’s most vibrant art hubs.

After several years, I felt the pull to reinvent my creative process once again. I’d always been drawn to textiles and surface pattern design, and with my background in graphic design, it felt like a natural evolution. I dove into learning new tools and loved transforming digital illustrations into bold, expressive patterns. Since then, I’ve been experimenting across mediums — painting, illustration, digital, and pattern making — following wherever my inspiration leads.

Eventually, my family relocated to a small mountain town outside Boulder, Colorado. These days, I spend most of my time with my daughter and make space for art and astrology whenever I can, always seeking ways to weave the two together. I’m currently looking to reconnect with local galleries and shows. Over the years, my experiences have inspired me to share more of my journey, which led me to launch a podcast called The Art of Woo, where I talk about life as an artist, spiritual tools, and monthly astrology. My Patreon has become a space to express myself more freely and connect with others on this ever-evolving creative path.

I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
Our gallery, The Art Cave, was growing rapidly until 2020, when COVID hit. Suddenly, all of our live shows and gallery openings were canceled. Around the same time, Dana and I both found out we were pregnant, just months apart. Between the inability to host our usual gallery openings and not having the energy to fully pivot, we ultimately made the difficult decision to close our doors. We were fortunate to have fellow friends/artists and entrepreneurs take over the space and eventually transform it into their own creative vision — you could say we passed the torch.

A year later, on my daughter’s first birthday, we received news that she had a cancerous tumor. Unhappy with the care we were receiving locally, we heard about the Children’s Hospital in Colorado. Within weeks, our entire lives shifted — we packed up and left Santa Cruz. I had no idea we’d end up here for years, but it was the best decision we could’ve made. She had a successful surgery and is thriving today.

Relocating across states, becoming a new mom, and navigating so much change in a short period has made the process of rediscovering myself as an artist a long and winding one. But I believe it’s through lived experience — the pain, the healing, and everything in between — that we find the depth and texture that turns life itself into a work of art.

Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
I’m a fusion of painter and designer, working both analog and digitally depending on the season of my life.

I love creating abstract paintings, especially on reclaimed wood. Abstract work is one of my favorite forms of expression — I’m not a planner by nature, so it feels incredibly refreshing to create without a set outcome. To surrender to my subconscious and see what emerges. When I was pregnant with my daughter, I created a whole series for a solo show just weeks before my due date. It was called Womb With A View, and to this day, it remains one of my favorite bodies of work. That series marked a shift in my style: I moved away from hard edges and right angles and began embracing more fluid, organic lines. It felt like I was tapping into the divine feminine and letting my subconscious lead.

With a background in Graphic Design, I’ve also been exploring digital illustration and surface pattern design in recent years. It’s been such a fun way to merge my love of drawing with the tactile joy of seeing my work come to life on textiles, fabric, and printed accessories.

I recently completed a project for a mother-owned company called Good Night Moon Child, which helps new moms reconnect with their intuition while navigating sleep with a newborn. As a mother myself, the project deeply resonated with me, and inspiration came easily.

In addition, I’m passionate about astrology and have been using it as a creative muse. This year, I’ve been working on a series of illustrations — one for each zodiac sign as we move through the seasons — blending my love of art and the stars in a way that feels deeply personal and playful.

Who else deserves credit in your story?
I owe so much credit to my friend and former business partner, Danielle Peters. Without her, The Art Cave wouldn’t have existed — and we certainly wouldn’t have won awards, been featured in interviews, or received the recognition we did over the years. I used to joke that she was the dreamer behind every show, and I’ve always admired her boundless imagination and the creative vision she brought to each project we tackled together.

I’m also incredibly grateful to my husband for his unwavering support through it all. It hasn’t always been easy, but his perseverance and steady presence have carried us through more than I can say.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.leigherickson.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/leighericksonart
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/leighericksonartwork
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@leighericksonart
• Other: https://www.leighericksonastrology.com/

Image Credits:
Leigh Erickson