Eric Nelson was born in New York City, but has lived in Northern Virginia for more than 30 years. Eric has bachelors and masters degrees in Economics. For most of his adult life, Eric was an international lobbyist for a telecommunications trade association. Eric decided in his forties that he needed to jump off a figurative cliff and focus his attention on his artwork—a side of himself that he loved, but had never committed himself to very seriously. At first, he put his artwork in galleries along the east coast, from Manhattan to Ft. Lauderdale. Later, he opened a small retail chain called Artfully Chocolate—four stores that were part art gallery, part chocolate shop. Ready to move on to other avenues to promote his artwork, in June 2015, he closed the last Artfully Chocolate. Eric uses several techniques in his art, including mosaics in bas relief, translucent acrylic on mylar and translucent acrylic on windows. Eric draws inspiration for his artwork from a quote by 19th century French philosopher who said “if you asked me what I came into this world to do, I will tell you I came to live out loud.” Eric’s artwork is bold and colorful and filled with vitality. Eric has served as president of the Del Ray Business Association. He has also served on the Board of Visit Alexandria, the Alexandria Chamber of Commerce, the Torpedo Factory Art Cener, and the MidCity Business Association in Washington. Eric currently lives in Alexandria and Colonial Beach with his husband.
