"This Is When We Were"—Selected Works by Erica Beyea

Erica Beyea is an artist from New Brunswick, Canada. She studied Fine Arts at the Ontario College of Art & Design (OCAD U), and graduated with a Bachelor of Fine Arts from NSCAD University in 2006.

She spent nearly half of her life in Toronto, where she worked as an art teacher and founded the non-profit organization Girls’ Art League. After years of engagement in Toronto’s visual arts community, she moved to Granada, Spain in 2017. In Spain, she exhibited in Granada, Cadiz, Malaga and in Madrid.

Her work is inspired by her daily life, what she observes and feels. Since moving back to the Maritimes in 2022, landscape has taken a larger presence in her paintings. After spending more than half of her life away, Beyea is able to see the natural beauty of this region with fresh eyes. Viewers will often find a figure, human or animal, within the composition–serving as a proxy for you to enter the painting yourself.

Erica Beyea's colorful portrait of a red-headed woman petting a bluish dog, titled "More than this" — “More than this.” 30” x 40”, oil on canvas

Using personal photographs as a jumping off point, each painting develops uniquely from there. Oscillating between representation and abstraction, Beyea tries to saturate each painting with the emotion and internal experience of the moment the photo was taken.

An exploration of our perception of place and how it morphs over time, her work attempts to reproduce the intangible via the fixed medium of oil paint, taking joy in the impossibility of the endeavor.

Beyea’s most recent collection of twelve paintings, “This Is When We Were,” are currently on display at the Wallack Galleries in Ottawa, ON through October 16, 2024. The imagery in this solo exhibit is sourced from personal photographs taken within the last decade of her life. During that time, she moved from Toronto, to Spain, and most recently to New Brunswick.

This decade of constant change has led her to be more introspective, finding home wherever she goes. She explores quiet moments of connection between people, animals, and oneself. Beyea’s use of color serves to bring these memories to life, charging them with emotion.

She focuses on the experiences that are most universal, relatable no matter where you are, or who you are. Reading, touching a loved one, having breakfast made for you–these are the small moments that make up our lives, and that make the intimacy feel immense.

Erica Beyea's colorful oil painting portrait of a blond woman holding a popsicle, titled "Diamond Dancer" — “Diamond Dancer.” 30” x 40”, oil on canvas

Upcoming Events:

“Homesick isn’t the same thing as seasick” at the Capitol Theatre, 811 Main St. Moncton, NB, August 13 through October 26, 2025To view more of Erica Beyea’s work, check out her Format portfolio and follow her on Instagram for work in progress.

Featured image by Erica Beyea: “We let it in.” Oil on canvas, 36” x 36”

Erica Beyea's painting of a greenish dog on a red leash sitting on the floor with people behind him, titled "Luz de perro" — “Luz de perro.” 30” x 40”, oil on canvas

Erica Beyea's vibrant painting of a woman walking toward a forest of red-barked trees, titled "Sunlight" — “Sunlight.” 30” x 40”, oil on canvas

Erica Beyea's colorful painting of a person sitting in a chair with a black dog in his lap, titled "Where will you go" — “Where Will You Go.” 30” x 40”, oil on canvas

Erica Beyea's richly colored painting of a woman in a flowered dress looking at a book in a library, titled "Face with a view" — “Face with a view.” 30” x 40”, oil on canvas

Erica Beyea's warm and colorful painting of the knees and hands of two women sitting and holding a plate and glass, titled "How we told it" — “How we told it.” 30” x 40”, oil on canvas

Erica Beyea Havin a think — “Havin’ a think.” 30” x 40”, oil on canvas

Erica Beyea's painting of a woman with brown hair sitting forward and touching her dangling strands of hair, titled "Quiet time in the park" — “Quiet time in the park.” 30” x 40”, oil on canvas

Erica Beyea Only comes around once — “Only comes around once.” 30” x 40”, oil on canvas

Erica Beyea's colorful painting of a man in a fur-trimmed hooded coat walking a white dog by the woods, titled "Last weekend" — “Last Weekend.” 30” x 40”, oil on canvas

Contributor

Amanda Whitegiver

Amanda Whitegiver is a photographer and writer based in Southern Maine. She specializes in family and personal brand photography and has contributed both as a photographer and writer to local publications, spotlighting women in Maine. A BFA graduate from Maine College of Art and Design, she draws on her 20 years as a small business owner as well as her fine art background to support creative professionals who are building their practices.

View all posts