From Brush to Ball: Erika Flores' Process Behind Painting Rest and Recovery
By Erika Flores
For year two of the Endy x WNBA partnership, we asked self-taught illustrator and multi-media artist, Erika Flores, to design a custom basketball that reflects the vision of the campaign. Read on for Erika’s full breakdown of her process, the images woven into her design, and her inspiration for this project:
Erika Flores: Behind the Scenes
The thing nobody tells you about doing what you love for a living: it’s still work. My name is Erika, I’m an illustrator and a multi-media artist. Even though passion was my starting point, the public doesn’t see the countless hours researching, practicing, building relationships, quietly celebrating any progress and overthinking every shortcoming. Before every finished project was preparation and hard work.Just like the athletes I admire on the court, preparation, discipline and rest is foundational to how I show up in my artistic practice.So when Endy came to me for this project, it felt like a perfect match.
THE BRIEF: PAINTING PEAK PERFORMANCE
As a proud sponsor of the WNBA, Endy asked me to create something special to kick off the 2026 season: custom hand-painted basketballs that capture the connection between athletic excellence, and the rest that makes it possible. I was inspired by Endy Sleep Ambassadors and Canadian WNBA players Aaliyah Edwards, Kia Nurse, and Laeticia Amihere.Endy’s tagline was at the heart of this concept: sleep isn’t time off, it’s time put in. Whether you’re a WNBA athlete, an artist, or anyone in between, great rest is the foundation to perform your best. In a society that romanticizes busy schedules and tireless work, the routine of prioritizing sleep is just as important.This value became the heart of my designs.
THE STORYTELLING: THE INTERSECTION OF CALM AND PRODUCTIVITY
Every design choice on these basketballs means something. The visual language of each ball represents two core themes: rest and sleep that restores you, and the energy and productivity that follows.I alternated each basketball panel between these two themes. To represent rest and calm, I painted with deep blues and Endy rubine hues – colours that feel like the gentle cloak of nighttime. I used my signature line art to flow in gentle motions that resemble ‘theta waves’ – the brain activity of deep sleep. Clouds, moons, stars, and feminine figures “sleeping” and “dreaming” were used as visual cues to represent WNBA athletes and honouring your nights.
The deep blues and Endy rubine hued section represents “rest and calm.”
For awake, alertness, and productivity, I opted for orange and yellow accents, and warm taupe hues that feel like daylight, while still featuring Endy rubine hues. My linework becomes sharper and more frequent here, referencing ‘beta waves’ (brain activity while awake).
The orange, yellow and warm taupe hues represent “awake, alertness, and productivity.”
Threading it all together are the athletes in the hand-painted designs. I drew from the dynamic movement and fluid athleticism of WNBA athletes - directly inspired by the games of Aaliyah Edwards, Kia Nurse, and Laeticia Amihere. I tried to bring movement and athletic energy into the design, juxtaposing with the feminine figures “resting” and “dreaming”, along with adding “clocks” on the basketballs to say that how you spend your time before the big moments matters, and rest plays a crucial role in being the best version of yourself.Because sleep is not time off,it’stime put in.
THE “WHY”: WHAT REST MEANS TO ME
This project sits at the intersection of everything I love: sports, art, and the everyday rituals that make doing what we do — whether it’s being an artist or athlete — possible. Channeling my admiration for WNBA athletes and my own value of prioritizing rest as a part of my routine into this project is a privilege I am truly grateful for.The best part is, you get a chance to participate! From now until August 2, 2026, click here to enter the Endy x WNBA “Our Time” contest for the chance to win my custom basketball and an Endy sheet set, along with tons of other great prizes!
ABOUT THE ARTIST
Erika is a self-taught illustrator and multi-media artist that is best known for her bold, vibrant illustration work and line art with clients such as Nike, NBA, WNBA, and Microsoft. Erika believes that representation begins with recognition - particularly through seeing yourself in the culture you consume. As the proud daughter of Filipino immigrants, Erika’s work is rooted in heritage, culture, and joyful resistance - weaved together in creative storytelling that centres marginalized voices and uncovers the art that lives within athleticism and sport.You can find her work @inkscrpt on Instagram, YouTube, and TikTok or at her website: www.inkscrpt.com
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