About Erika Stanley
Erika Stanley International Visual Artist
Based in the Netherlands, Erika creates expressive paintings and visual storytelling projects that explore color, human expression, symbolism, and the poetry of everyday life. Her work is collected internationally and bridges private, public, and business spaces.
Biography
Erika Stanley is a Costa Rican-born visual artist, based in the Netherlands and active internationally since 1995. After growing up in Costa Rica, she moved to Europe in 2006, living first in Belgium and later establishing her studio in the Netherlands. These cultural experiences have deeply influenced her creative perspective.
Artistic Approach
Erika’s work includes painting, sculpture, and visual storytelling projects that connect art with everyday life. Her creative process combines imagination, observation, and experimentation, transforming ordinary moments into vivid visual experiences.
She often explores the human spirit, feminine strength, mythology, and playful interpretations of life, bringing color and expression into homes, shared spaces, and private collections.
Erika Stanley Artistic Curriculum
Stanley’s work moves between expressive painting, thematic series, and commissioned artworks created for collectors and businesses. Today, she continues to develop new series, collaborations, and custom projects from her studio, sharing creativity globally.
Artistic Career Highlights
- 2005 Visitor of Honor of Bayamon City, Puerto Rico
- 1997 Graduation with honor of last year of fine art studies, specialty in painting, Universidad de Costa Rica, San José, Costa Rica.
- 1996 First price in National Contest of Cinema and Video, category Fiction Amateur, San José, Costa Rica.
- 1995 First price student painting contest "University View", Faculty Of Fine Arts, University Of Costa Rica, San José, Costa Rica.
- Price Of Honor in New values contest “Fausto Pacheco”, Cultural Center Costarricense Norteamericano, San José, Costa Rica.
Collective Exhibits
- 2015 Eye-Candy 7. Roosendal, The Netherlands.
- 2010 Latin American Art Feria Etnia VI. Brussels, Belgium.
- 2009 Latin American Art Feria Etnia V. Brussels, Belgium.
- 2007 “Female Artists", Art Gallery Festl & Maas, Reutlingen, Germany.
- 2006 “32 Female Artists from 32 Participating Countries In The World Cup. Football (Soccer) 2006”, Art Gallery Festl & Maas, Reutlingen, Germany.
- 2002 "Recent Paintings", Gallery Kandinsky, San José, Costa Rica.
- 2001 "Recent Paintings", Gallery Real, San José, Costa Rica.
- 2000 "Women Of The 2000", Latin American Art Museum, Miami, EE.UU
- "Latin American Synthesis", Latin American Art Museum, Miami, EE.UU - 1999 Gallery Pléyades, Managua, Nicaragua.
- 1998 “Drawing Contest Of The Caja Costarricense del Seguro Social", National Gallery, Costa Rican centre of Science and Culture, San José.
- 1997 “Female Artist Collective”, Gallery Enrique Echandi, San José, Costa Rica.
- "The Woman Today And Always", Gallery Arte Nativo, San José, Costa Rica-
- "Graduation Exposition", Faculty Of Fine Arts, University Of Costa Rica, San José, Costa Rica.
- 1996 Female Artists Collective, Technologic Institute Of Costa Rica, Cartago, Costa Rica.
- 1995 Student painting contest "University View", Faculty Of Fine Arts, University Of Costa Rica, San José, Costa Rica.
- French Alliance, San José, Costa RicaCollectieve expositions.
Erika Stanley
Born: 1973, San José, Costa Rica
Period in Belgium from 2006 - 2012
Based in: Netherlands (since 2012)
Studio & Shop: erikastanley.art | erikastanley.nl
Education & Training
- Studies in Fine Arts, focus on painting. University of Costa Rica
- Assistant in Master of Arts program. University of Costa Rica
- Technical Diploma in Film and Video Production – direction and production
Individual Exhibits
- 2021 "Rotterdam Als Van Gogh series projected" Rotterdam Ahoy, The Netherlands.
- 2019 "Rotterdam Als Van Gogh experience" Art Cube. Rotterdam, The Netherlands.
- 2017 "Rotterdam Als Van Gogh" LantarenVenster, Rotterdam, The Netherlands.
- 2016 "Rotterdam Als Van Gogh" Thyade Art Gallery, Rotterdam, The Netherlands.
- 2012 "Intimate spaces", Topacio Gallery, Bayamon, Puerto Rico.
- 2012 "Notes on the wall", Fundation Omar Dengo, San José, Costa Rica.
- 2008 “Hanging Music”, Valanti Gallery, Los Sueños, Costa Rica.
- 2007 “Hanging Music”, Valanti Gallery, San José, Costa Rica.
- 2006 “Hanging Music”, Valanti Gallery, Los Sueños, Costa Rica.
- 2005 “Sub Worlds”, Topacio Gallery, Puerto Rico.
- 2004 “Sub Worlds”, Arteconsul, Panama.
- 2002 "Eros And The Dreams", Alternative Space, Museo de Arte Costarricense, San José.
- 2001 “Sub Worlds In Cages”, Valanti Gallery, San José, Costa Rica.
- 1996 “Sub Worlds”, Gallery Kandinsky, San José, Costa Rica.
Publications & Media
Erika’s work has been featured in publications, media outlets, and online platforms internationally, reflecting the impact and reach of her artistic journey.
