Erik C. Lindgren

Artist / Illustrator / Model Maker / Train Chaser / Dad

Erik C. Lindgren

Erik C. Lindgren

Artist and Illustrator

Erik C Lindgren captures the history and the power of automobiles, locomotives and various images through color, graphic patterns and design. An avid train enthusiast since childhood, Erik demonstrates in his paintings his attention to detail and authenticity that comes with being a student of history. Erik’s camera captures trains in an effort obtain reference for his artwork. Using photos as reference, he hand paints every brush stroke in his extraordinary compositions.

A graduate of Rocky Mountain College of Art & Design in Denver, CO, Erik has illustrated for Authors, Automotive Clubs, and many magazines, and had several featured covers for The Narrow Gauge & Short-line Gazette – a publication for railroad enthusiasts – as well as for corporate and private collectors.

Erik makes his home in Arvada where he combines a passion for automobiles, trains and planes with spending time in nature photographing trains. The peaceful isolation of mountain peaks contrasts the detail precision he places in his paintings. 

Illustration clients have employed the award-winning talents of Erik Lindgren. He has shown his work in art exhibitions and has been featured in New York at the Society of Illustrators annual show. 

Erik as a hobby also has an extensive interest in Railroad Photography and shares his passion with friends and colleagues. 

About

Artist Statement

Being part of the railroad community brings me great joy.  I relish the stories that can be told from a painting or a photograph.  I have been passionate about railroading pretty much my entire life.  It has become important to me over the years to present images that tell a story while being historically accurate.  While being a member of a model railroad club, I grew fond of Narrow Gauge.  I drew my inspiration for many of my paintings from the narrow gauge railroads around Colorado.  The mountains provide a great backdrop for storytelling.  The landscape in my paintings is just as important than the train.  I also have a passion for the Chicago, Burlington and Northern route and completed a painting or two related to the CB&Q.  My first visit to East Portal was in 1982.  I remember vividly the sheer beauty of the mountains and pine trees and how they came together.  The backdrop of the Moffat Road has been my inspiration for photography as well as my paintings.  I remember even at that time, how I imagined scenes that would make impressive paintings. The fall colors along with dramatic lighting from spring and early summer storms contribute to the storyline of the art.  One of the greatest thrills is chasing down a great photo with the absolute best scenery.  Weather is also another element that is important to me.  I do my best to include something interesting like snow or fall colors in the paintings I create and the photos I shoot.  I look for and go after the best lighting from a thunder storm and if I am lucky (which I have been), I may even catch a rainbow in the shot.

Lives in Arvada, Colorado 

Group Exhibitions

  • Society of Illustrators Student Show, MET Museum of Illustration, New York, New York, 2009
  • Railroad Art Show, Canõn City Arts Center, Canõn City, CO, 2011

Awards

  • Society of Illustrators, Finalist, Society of Illustrators Student Competition, New York 2009
  • MacNider Art Museum, Stockman House Art Show, Best of Show, Stockman Family for the Arts Mason City, IA, 1997
  • 1983 Mill Pond Press Wildlife Art Competition, Best of Show, Maynard Reece Award, Des Moines, Iowa 1983

Publications

Talks

  • Rocky Mountain College of Art & Design “Railroad Art”, 2012
  • My Railroad Art, Canõn City Arts Center, 2011
  • Colorado Railroad Photography, Round Table Railroad Photography with Joe MacMillan, Arvada, CO 2018 
  • My Railroad Photography “Caboose Virtual Check-In” Caboose Ltd, Lakewood CO 2020
  • Fall in Colorado, Railroads “NHRS Online Slide Show” with Mike Yuhas October 2020