Utah-based artist Erik Linton has built a career on uncovering the stories hidden in wood and landscapes. Known for his large woodblock prints created from tree rings and his evocative paintings, Erik’s work explores resilience, impermanence, and connection to place. Since 2015, he’s grown from side hustle to full-time artist, collaborating with collectors, designers, and major brands worldwide-all while staying rooted in nature.

Discovering Art in Tree Rings

Erik’s turning point came when he looked closely at the rings of a tree.

“Each ring tells the story of a tree’s life; the good seasons, the struggles, the resilience.”

From that moment, he began carving woodblocks and pulling prints that captured these natural stories. Over time, painting became another way to interpret the environments he loved. Together, his mediums balance precision and expression, science and creativity.

Inspired by the Outdoors

Much of Erik’s inspiration comes from being outside-hiking in Utah’s mountains, camping with his family, or noticing the smaller details in everyday landscapes. His work isn’t about capturing “pretty pictures” but about reflecting on our connection to nature and the passage of time.

A Patient, Layered Process

Erik’s creative process begins with exploration: finding fallen trees with meaningful patterns or landscapes that resonate. For woodblock prints, he sands a cross-section until the rings emerge clearly, inks the surface, and presses each print by hand. His paintings evolve through sketches, color washes, and layers of depth until the work feels alive.

Both processes demand patience-and trust in letting the story reveal itself.

Materials With Meaning

“I only use fallen trees or reclaimed wood, never cutting live trees for my prints. Each piece of wood already has a story-it’s lived its full life, and I get to tell that story through art.”

This sustainable approach underscores Erik’s respect for the natural world. His art becomes a way to honor the life of each tree and invite viewers to reflect on resilience and impermanence.

Memorable Connections & Collaborations

For Erik, the most rewarding part of being an artist is seeing how his work connects with people. Collectors have told him a print reminds them of their childhood home; designers commission large-scale works that anchor a space.

He’s also collaborated with global brands like Four Seasons Hotels, Maker’s Mark, and Anthropologie, where his work became part of environments that bring people together.

“Seeing my art integrated into hotel interiors or curated retail spaces feels especially meaningful.”

Custom Commissions & Trade Clients

Erik views commissions as collaborations. He begins by learning about the client’s story, space, and vision, then develops sketches and refines them together.

• Lead time: Most commissions take ~3 weeks; larger, complex projects may take longer.
  
• Customization: Size, color palettes, or even specific tree species are common requests.
  
• International shipping: He ships worldwide, ensuring safe packaging and smooth delivery.
  
• Framing & installation: Erik can provide framing guidance and works closely with designers/installers for large-scale pieces.

Erik Linton’s Journey With Wescover

When asked about Wescover, Erik emphasized the platform’s impact on his career:

“Wescover has been a great way to connect with people who are looking for original work and who care about the story behind it. It’s opened doors to clients and designers I might not have reached otherwise.”

One standout project came when a designer discovered him on Wescover and commissioned a large tree ring print for a renovation.

“It was one of those collaborations where everything clicked; the right piece, the right space, the right client.”

Being part of Wescover has grown Erik’s visibility while reinforcing the authenticity at the core of his art.

Influences & Community

Erik credits both Utah’s supportive art scene and the wider U.S. art community with fueling his journey. Utah’s deep connection to nature naturally aligns with his work, while the broader community has given him opportunities across galleries and innovative platforms.

Looking Ahead

Currently, Erik is exploring new ways to bring art into unexpected places and experimenting with larger collaborations. This season of growth feels like an expansion-new techniques, new audiences, and new ways of connecting people to the stories of nature.

Advice for Collectors & Designers

“Don’t just pick art that matches your furniture. Choose what resonates emotionally. Art has the power to shift the mood of a space and remind you of what truly matters.”

Closing Thoughts

At the heart of Erik’s practice is connection-to nature, to time, and to one another. Each woodblock print and painting carries a story that goes beyond décor, offering daily reminders of resilience, beauty, and belonging.

👉 Explore Erik Linton’s work on Wescover