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Erik M. Gist

Erik M. Gist received his B.A. from SDSU in 1998. He began studying with Jeff Watts in 1996. Three years later, Erik’s training developed into teaching where he is now one of the lead instructors at Watts Atelier. Erik has worked in the video game industry as a concept designer and 3-D artist, and is now a successful freelance illustrator with a growing number of followers. Erik’s clients include Dark Horse Comics, TOR Publishing, Wizards of the Coast, Upperdeck, DC Comics, Boom! Studios, Palladium Books, Blizzard Entertainment, Viking Childrens Books, Monkey Brain Books, Quart Publishing, and Chiat-Day.

His work can be seen in Spectrum: The Best in Contemporary Fantastic Art, ten of the last eleven years, and Aphrodisia: Art of the Female Form Volume 1. Erik has been a finalist for the Illie Award, Chesley Award, Rondo Award, Pulp Ark Award, and he won the Horror Comics Award for best cover in 2012. Currently, you can see his work every month on the cover of Guillermo del Toro and Chuck Hogan’s The Strain published by Dark Horse Comics. Erik’s dedication as an instructor is greatly valued at Watts. He shares his earnest passion for the craft and encyclopedia-level knowledge (hence his nickname, “Erik-ipedia”) through his teaching.

For more information about Erik’s art please visit his website at www.erikgist.com.