Born and raised in a small Kansas town, Nicholas Erker learned valuable skills from a large family, with a focus on the art of storytelling. The importance of passing down family history through generations was emphasized, with the family being adept in the oral tradition. He has spent his professional life depicting images from that oral tradition and combining them with the visual arts. Memories and their fragility are central themes in his artwork. Another major part of his personal story involves his work as an art teacher, which gives him the opportunity to teach future artists new techniques. In turn, his students have taught him new and inventive ways of using materials, sometimes by making errors. In his work he includes errors and misused materials, which has led to new ways of applying paint and texture to a surface. These colors and textures add to the experience giving more depth and interest to the narratives. Nicholas received a degree in Visual Arts Education from The University of Kansas and a Masters Degree in Art History from The University of Missouri - Kansas City. Throughout his career, he has been dedicated to educating art students in the intricacies of art and design while also managing a personal painting studio.