Biography

Having won his first art contest in 4th grade, Eric always wanted to be an artist. Taking Art classes in High School, instead of Shop classes, Eric was always the best student in class.

Eric grew up up in a very Blue Collar neighborhood on the railroad tracks outside of Chicago. Eric's father owned a Machine Shop. His three older brothers were all gear heads, mechanics, and machinists. These early mechanical influences shaped his drawings and  choice of subjects for a lifetime.

Formal Art education continued with classes at The Art Institute of Chicago, Triton College of Fine Art in suburban Chicago and Arizona State University. Eric holds a BFA in Graphic Design with studies in painting and printing technology as well. With his formal training completed, at which he excelled, he moved in to the business world of art. Successful ventures over the years included a Graphics firm, several Screen Printing businesses, and a Product Design firm.

Tiring of the business grind and longing to return to his artwork, Eric and wife Suzanne sold the business so he could concentrate full time on his paintings. He quickly realized that to become a world-class artist, you need to paint what you know.

Having ridden bikes for over fifty years, painting them and the biker lifestyle is a natural for Eric. A lifetime of experiences at any race around, from the Drag strip to an Oval track has given Eric the understanding of what it takes to go racing as well. His knowledge of the subjects is what makes an Eric Herrmann painting stand-alone. He has won acclaim for not only his depiction of vehicles, but his use of composition and color as well.

Collectors and corporations in over forty countries worldwide seek after Eric’s art. His art has been shown at The Petersen Museum in Los Angeles, The American Motorcycle Association Museum in Ohio, The Barber Museum in Birmingham AL, The San Diego Automotive Museum, and numerous Galleries throughout the world. Eric exhibits his work at all the major motorcycle events as well as numerous racing venues annually. His artwork is used for advertisements, novels, menus, clothing lines, collectible coin sets, and fine art prints. Eric’s commissioned paintings include work for Jack Daniel’s, The Barrett-Jackson Auto Auction, Discount Tire Co., The Indianapolis Motor Speedway, and numerous other motorcycle and automotive related corporations. His art frequently appears in magazines such as Easyriders, Hot Bike, American Rider, Playboy, Brandweek, The Robb Report, and Phoenix Magazine.

Eric has been sponsored by some of the largest Fortune 500 Companies  in the world, displaying his art at various promotions nationwide. From this travelling R.J. Reynolds Semi -Trailer Art Gallery, to Display's with Jack Daniel's at The Daytona 500, Eric's artwork always draws a crowd.

Eric’s original paintings take several months to complete. They are all done by hand with only a brush on canvas and acrylic paint.  Eric’s originals have sold for over $70,000.00. 

Eric & Suzanne live on the edge of the Tonto National Forest, hidden in the hills, outside of Cave Creek Arizona. With three grown children, Ian, Dustin, & Morgen, they are now enjoying  the recent Grand kids. Napalm, the Doberman roams the property & keeps an eye on the Motorcycles, Trucks, & Trailers they've collected over the years.