Eric Nyberg’s first claim to fame came when he was born. He arrived in the world as a New Year’s Baby on Jan. 1, 1977.
Now 42, Nyberg has made a name for himself as an abstract artist. His talents were on display at the Chemainus home he shares with his mom Deborah Nyberg during the Spring Art Tour in April, encompassing a variety of works in Ladysmith, Chemainus and Cedar-Yellow Point locations.
Nyberg spent time as a youth in Holberg at the northern end of Vancouver Island, but grew up in Victoria and came to Chemainus a year and a half ago.
“I was living as part of an Outreach program for people who have mental illness,” he explained.
Since making the move to Chemainus, “we love it here,” said Nyberg.
Many people stopped by his residence over the three-day Spring Art Tour to check out his work. Nyberg also showcased some of his pieces before that at the Sooke Art Show and the Eaton Centre in downtown Victoria.
He works primarily with acrylic on canvas and calls it abstract expressionism.
“They’re all kind of different,” Nyberg noted. “I approach it with a basic idea, then it changes as it develops. I like vibrant colours.”
That is most evident in some of his striking pieces that definitely stand out in the crowd for the colour choices.
“I didn’t take it seriously till high school,” Nyberg recalled.
He credits Harry Stanbridge at Spectrum Community School for being a positive influence on him and facilitating his appetite for learning all about art.
Nyberg has sold his art for between $25 and $500.
“He’s got some little pieces,” his mom pointed out.
“He’s met some people now, they’ve asked him to come out and do a few things.”
“I work on and off,” said Nyberg. “If I get started, I can do it in a day sometimes. Sometimes I spend a lot longer on it, too.”
He used to have a space downstairs in the house to work, but “I’m going to be painting in the garage now,” Nyberg noted.
That’s working out nicely for the space he needs.
Nyberg is also a musician and plays the guitar. “So far I’ve released four discs,” he indicated.
