After graduating from Leilehua High School in 1987 Erik spent a year of intensive labor picking pineapple in the fields of central Oahu. Subsequently motivated to stimulate himself with further academic study, he enrolled at Leeward Community College where he soon developed a keen interest in ceramics.
Making a move to the Big Island the following year in 1989, Erik transferred to the University of Hawaii at Hilo, declaring a major in Art, specializing in ceramics while also dabbling in oil painting.
Upon graduating with a B.A. with high honors from UHH in 1993, Erik endeavored to start a small business making pottery from home. His aim was to provide the local community and visitors with affordable functional art. Erik dedicated himself to evolving as a potter, offering his wares primarily at farmer’s markets in East Hawaii with occasional forays to venues in Honolulu.
In 2016 Erik began teaching ceramics at the Volcano Art Center as part of the Fire Arts program here. The rewards of this experience have been great as he continues to evolve and grow as a potter, serving the local community with homegrown functional art and, now, helping to provide educational opportunities in the arts to residents of Hawaii Island.