Eric was born in Rotterdam, The Netherlands and raised in Laren, N.H. Because of its vibrant purple heather and silver birches, the village was made famous by the “Larense School” of landscape painters (such as Jozef Israels and Anton Mauve). Later, Eric studied traditional printmaking techniques at Atelier Mashuff in Brussels, Belgium, before studying at Philadelphia College of Art, where he graduated with a BFA in printmaking. He has taught at Philadelphia College of Art and Maryland Institute College of Art (MICA). Today, Eric’s studio practice is primarily focused on drawing and painting.

His prints are in the permanent collection of the Free Library of Philadelphia among others. His figurative paintings are in private collections as well as in the collection of Thomas Jefferson University, where he was honored with the annual commission of outstanding faculty members, a tradition dating back to Thomas Eakins, titled Herr Doctor Behrend. His work has been shown at the Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts, University of the Arts, and has won numerous awards such as ‘best in show’ at the Fleisher Art Memorial and the Long Beach Island Arts Foundation annual shows.