Eric Paul Erickson

Eric Paul Erickson’s unique background in theatre, media, politics have shaped his unique approach the the arts. and his multimedia studio Temple of the Cave has developed a reputation for cutting edge art and a unique vision that challenges the norm. They are known for distinct images using shadows and light and their unique groundbreaking audio work, as well as their work with the award-winning Marian Project.

Eric began his career as an actor, writer and director working with west coast theatre companies from Los Angeles to Canada and serving as the founder and artistic director of Inconceivable Theatre. His play "Voices on the Wind" broke ground and set precedence for Eric's later work by weaving fact and fiction and using real life digital technology, including a recording of former governor Massachusetts Michael Dukakis made specifically for the production.

Eric then joined the Chicago Tribune's City News Service beforing entering the political arena in the 2004 election as campaign manager for a U.S. Congressional candidate.

His 2005 Chicago Sun Times feature piece “Over the Ocean, Under the Knife” was the culmination of travels to Malaysia and Thailand to investigate medical tourism. He has co-authored two books from Publications International’s Armchair Guide series; "The Civil War" and "Weird, Scary and Unusual." In 2006 he presented his research paper “The Deluge Myths- Correlations, Separations and Oddities” at California State University- Fresno SESA Spring 2006 Conference Spinning the World- Myths and Legends.” In 2005 he was invited to teach English and writing at Hankook University in Seoul, South Korea.

Eric founded Temple of the Cave in 2006 in Chicago and moved the studio to Los Angeles in 2008. Since then TOTC has grown exponentially moving into the realms of audio drama, publishing, video and of course pushing the boundaries of photography with Eric’s trademark whitebox and lamplight styles.


His highly anticipated photography book “Atheist Bliss” was published in 2011. The book explored the world of freethinkers and raised money for the continued separation of church and state. Eric was awarded with a citation from the City of Los Angeles for his work with The Marian Project, a charitable program from Temple of the Cave that worked with abused women and strove to rebuild their self image through photography.


As a performer, Eric is an outspoken comedic critic of the modern world, his attention drawn in great part to the hypocrisy rampant in secular and religious institutions and the lack of common sense in common society. His viral videos have spawned debate with fans and foe of his work going toe to toe and his character Marvin Pencildick has become a cult favorite. He hosted the cult radio podcast "The Electric Carnival" and before that co-hosted "The Red Viking Show" with Meggan Anderson. He voices the character Red Colt on the popular eponymous Audio DropTM audio series from Temple Immersive Audio as well as lending his voice to other characters in the Temple Universe.