Mapping the Artist: Erika Wilk

Erika Wilk and Kathabela Wilson.

Erika Wilk, poet and artist, embraces life in a passionate, positive way, with open arms. She takes on the challenges and delights of life with strong feelings. She is poetic and creative in what she accomplishes, and works with diligence and artistic fervor at all she does.

By Kathabela Wilson

A microscope on the poet

Painting by Erika Wilk.

I’ve sensed your quietness and sensitive approach to your work, spontaneous and yet considered and careful, how do you accomplish this?

illuminated
by the moon
she awaits
the first star
to drop into her bath

I love being alone, to concentrate at the task. To write, to paint, whatever time I can give to the arts, that time is MINE! It gives me great satisfaction. My art and writing propels me into another space, where I can be alone. At first, after I retired, I decided to try to write my memoirs, but then I surprised myself with poetry. I’ve also painted for years, and love especially Monet and Picasso. Some of my paintings are inspired and even depict an image I love by these great artists. It delights me when I can evoke their inspiration strongly. I love silence while I write, and music while I paint.

A telescope on the poet

Erika Wilk at a poetry reading .

You seem so happy in Pasadena, but I know your life has been challenging and your beginnings were in a different world, what were your adventures?

I grew up in Salzburg, Austria, the city of stunning surroundings.

I’m from wartime Europe
occupation
from struggle I didn’t realize
… standing in line
for horse meat and bread
in the city of Mozart
… from walks along the river Salzach
rain and snowcapped alps
I am from shyness
kindness and truth
I am from the sound of music

I guess I absorbed it all by osmosis. Perhaps the peace I feel was developed the same way. I loved the theater and played/acted at age 10 -12 in several productions, including “Carmen,” to this day my favorite opera. Of course I had a crush, Don Jose! I always dreamed I’d be either an opera singer or a ballerina. I didn’t travel until I came to America. That was my first big adventure, and I’ve traveled back to Europe several times. I am well rooted in Pasadena now – for the past 57 years.

Pulse of the poet

Erika Wilk

One of the things I know you love are umbrellas! Quite a delightful statement for a Southern California poet. I love seeing you with them and share your pleasure in their light-hearted beauty. How did it happen?

My Collection. It was the forest green one I took on my long walk in the rain. The pattern of roses and larkspur soothing to my troubled thoughts of my mother’s sudden medical need. On its closing tab it reads Ralph Lauren, my favorite name in clothing. It was his fragrance that brought this umbrella into my life and home -a gift with purchase. And so it was with the rest of them. My menagerie of umbrellas is at a count of nine. Seductive Christian Dior reds, Oscar de la Renta’s refreshing splashes of pink and green, demure and feminine Anais – my sun shade- in peach and cream with green accents. They huddle in their stand next to the grandfather clock in the entry, ever faithful and ready when needed. Recently a little darling arrived from Tokyo – sky blue with lavender orchids, so delicate it was given a space of its own – opened and secured between the bricks of the fireplace. All of them a counter statement to our SoCal dry climate.

in my pantry
within reach
a box of Morton Salt

Compass of the poet

Erika with one of her paintings.

The challenges and pleasures of your artistic life include your family, I know, and your cheerful presence is contagious, how do you approach life, and embrace it so well?

I’m an optimist, accept life as it comes. Of course I would prefer the good part, but am up to a challenge as well and the birth of our now 44 year old son, Carson, with Down Syndrome certainly was a challenge. He’s the love of my life and I’m grateful for him and all things. Such is life!

From Carson I’ve learned
what’s really important.
I need him as much as he needs me
and cherish the hugs I can count on.

As an artist I look at life from multiple perspectives, with deeper feeling and a need to put forth and share. I always see my life and work as a process, and enjoy living in Pasadena for decades with my husband, Joel. We have three sons and three grandchildren.

________________________________________________________
*Erika’s tanka “illuminated” (above) won the 2011 Moonbathing (a tanka journal featuring women writers) tanka contest.