Each artwork comes with a time-lapse creation video
"I'm the daughter of an artist and when I saw the work of Erika Darling, I was hooked! The family was brought to tears with the drawing I commissioned as a Christmas present. Just as cool is the video capture she does of the process... it is mesmerizing. Looking for a realistic drawing of your pet? How about that wildlife pic you captured on your last adventure?
VERY reasonable cost and faster than I dreamed possible!"
​ -Tracy B.
My Story
Hello! I’m Erika, the artist behind Catchlight Sketches, based in sunny Orlando, Florida. For as long as I can remember, I’ve loved to draw. As a child, I’d lose myself for hours sketching faces, animals, and anything that caught the light just right. But when it came time to choose a career, I was torn; I loved art as much as I loved math and science. Engineering won out, and for over two decades I focused my creativity on solving problems and designing systems.
​
In 2025, I retired from engineering and returned to something even more fundamental to who I am: making art. Graphite quickly became my favorite medium. It’s simple, honest, and portable enough to take anywhere — even in the car line while waiting for my kids after school!
​
I’m fascinated by details like the glint in an animal’s eye, the soft tilt of a head, and the mischievous look of a dog giving side-eye. Those little moments of connection are what I try to capture in every piece.
​
I began accepting commissions in 2025 and became a member of the Association of Animal Artists. I would love to share more of my work with you or help you bring a special moment or loved one to life through art.