Craig Erlick, is a graduate of the Art Institute of Philadelphia, and Saint Leo University.
Craig developed and refined his sculptural work while living and working in Los Angeles.
His creativity gained velocity with powerful influences of color, expression, and character found in Indigenous sculptural folk art from around the globe. The subjects of his work are individually created by hand, expressing a joyful extravaganza of manic delight, and festive fun. Craig hopes the happiness he derives from his work is passed on to you.
In 2008, after relocating to Florida, Craig, with the help of his wife Devika, established the studios of Cirkel Artworks in the Tampa area, where he now produces a remarkable variety of vibrant and humorous sculptural projects. You can find Craig's work for sale at the Florida galleries listed below. You can also reach out to Cirkel Artworks for requests and commissions.
When not at his day-job as a commercial artist, or scuba diving off the Southern California coast, he composed sculptures at his kitchen table, using a variety of materials.
He eventually choose polymer clay as his primary medium, for its ease of use, and durability.
Of Craig's recent projects, the development of "Criggles" is by far his most enthusiastic achievement, and is also the most fun.
Criggles are a series of unique polymer clay sculptures which would be recognizable as nothing more than a frenzy of twisted shapes and intoxicating colors if not for some strategically placed features, such as manic eyes, toothy mouths, and curly, hair-like protrusions.
Criggles are completely hand-sculpted of a soft non-toxic plastic-based art material called "polyclay". A depression serving as the "mouth" and imported glass eyes are added to the base form. The polyclay will solidify when baked in a standard oven at a temperature of 275 degrees for approximately one half of an hour. After cooling, the base shape is coated with a polymer adhesive, then manually laminated with a prepared and pressed layer of color-pigmented polyclay much like applying a "skin" to the surface. The "teeth" are individually hand-formed of a semi-translucent polyclay and applied to the mouth. Additional colors can then be added individually to the outer skin, building up a more complex pattern. After a second baking, a protective polymer clear-coat may be applied for a shiny finish.
Humorous marine life sculptures can be found at Criggle Reef, a colorful community of sea creatures, nestled in the warm waters off of Florida’s coast.
These happy residents of the reef invite you to smile along with them, offering not only a lift to your day, but also some much-needed support for Florida’s marine environment. With every sale, a percentage of the profit goes directly to local marine conservation organizations such as The Mote Marine Laboratory Aquarium,and the Florida Reef Resilience Program.
Craig Erlick at the Mote Marine Aquarium
Average size of the following pieces are 10" x10"
Average size of the following pieces are 5" x 5"
Spleks are original sculpted polymer clay creations, not as abstract as Criggles. as they mostly relate to recognizable subjects. They do however, explode with a manic dose of intensity and color, which is directly inspired by the folk art animal sculptures of the rural villages of Oaxaca, Mexico. Spleks sculptures are made in much the same way as Criggles. Much more time and work is required in adding the color.
Wackolopes are inspired by folk fables such as the "Jackalope", "Wampus Cat", "Fur-Bearing Trout", and "Skvader". For over a century, these and other fictional creatures have often been portrayed as fake taxidermy icons. Wackolpes are one part folk fable, one part Dr. Suess, and ten parts Craig Erlick. They are mixed media pieces of original design, which dynamically bring together a wide range of materials in the sculpting process, including polymer clay, industrial resin, and various hair-like media.
Cirkel Artworks is currently represented at the following galleries throughout Florida:
Baobab Tree Gallery and Studio
1113 12th Street west
Bradenton, Florida 34205
941-447-3795
Clay and Paper Gallery of Art
362 Main Street
Dunedin, Florida 34698
727-736-0934
Simple Gestures Gifts and Art
4 White Street East,
St. Augustine, Florida 32080
904-827-9997
Cirkel Artworks can be contacted directly via email, at: craig@cirkelartworks.com
