About Me/Sobre mí
Hola! I’m Erika, the founder of Colores de Napa Valley Studio — a bilingual art space where creativity, culture, and community come together.
As a teacher, artist, and mamá born and raised in Napa Valley, I’ve always found magic in color and creativity. School wasn’t always easy for me; I often lived in my imagination, caught between worlds, never feeling like I completely belonged here or there. But art and creative storytelling became the magic — they gave me a language of my own, one that didn’t need perfect words to express meaning.
Today, I’m proud to teach at Unidos Middle School, a dual-immersion school in Napa where I feel a true sense of belonging. Teaching in both English and Spanish allows me to connect deeply with my students and my community — blending my love for language, art, and creative expression. I’m passionate about mixing literacy, art, and learning to help students and young creators tell their stories in their own way.
Before opening my studio, I started Youth Art Coach — a small online space where I began finding my path as both an artist and an entrepreneur. It was there that I started to see how my love for art, education, and mentorship could come together as one. That season became the foundation for Colores de Napa Valley Studio — a place where creativity, language, and community could grow side by side.
Opening my first art studio in the same community where I once went to school is a full-circle moment for me. Colores de Napa Valley Studio is part of the 100 Coombs Art Collective, a vibrant group of studios in Napa’s Tannery Bend district where artists create, collaborate, and inspire one another.
I’m inspired by my family and mentors who overcame adversity, and I hope to do the same — empowering others, including my own children, to believe in their creativity and their voice.
At Colores de Napa, we mix more than paint — we mix stories, traditions, and dreams. From fall leaves to Día de Muertos, from poppies to butterflies, our workshops celebrate the colors that make Napa Valley — and each young artist — unique.
✨ Where colors tell stories, and kids learn about their world by mixing, experimenting, and growing along the way.
The Meaning Behind Our Logo
For me, the poppy has always been more than a flower — it’s a symbol of home, nature, and the beauty of seeing the world creatively. Its golden color reminds me of growing up here in Napa Valley, surrounded by rolling hills and warm light.
As a kid, I remember being told not to pick the poppies. They grew everywhere — even in the fields at my elementary school — bright, golden, and wild. Of course, I’d pick them anyway, curious about why they were so special. I learned quickly how fragile they were; the moment you pick one, it crumbles. It taught me something I carry into my art and my teaching — that beauty is often at its strongest in its natural form.
The poppy reminds me that we’re all connected to the earth, that we bloom when we feel safe and grounded, and that seeing the world through a creative lens helps us notice what’s truly beautiful around us.
The butterfly in my logo is a symbol of strength and transformation. It represents the journey we all take as we grow and change — sometimes quietly, sometimes boldly — finding beauty in the process of becoming who we’re meant to be.
And the hot air balloon represents home, hope, and possibility. There’s a certain magic in seeing a hot air balloon floating across the Napa sky — something I loved as a kid on my way to school, and now get to share with my son on our morning drives. To me, it represents the belief in a dream or a vision — the reminder that what once seemed impossible, like flying, can become real when you have courage, imagination, and heart.
About the Studio / Sobre el Estudio
Colores de Napa Valley Studio is part of the 100 Coombs Art Collective in Napa’s Tannery Bend district — a creative hub where local artists come together to share ideas, inspiration, and community.
The collective was founded by Linda Parks, President and CEO of Lixit Animal Care Products in Napa. Linda has long been recognized for her leadership and community impact, including being named Napa County’s Woman of the Year in 2018 by U.S. Representative Mike Thompson.
Through her decades of work at Lixit, Linda has created meaningful opportunities for adults with disabilities and built a company known for its sense of purpose and belonging. With the 100 Coombs Art Collective, she extends that same spirit of empowerment to the creative community — opening her space to artists and small businesses who are passionate about connection, collaboration, and growth.
At Colores de Napa, I’m deeply grateful to be part of Linda’s vision — creating a studio that blends creativity, community, and imagination in the same neighborhood where I once went to school.
Together, we’re part of a community that values creativity, connection, and the joy of making art.