N. Eric Oback (1920-1979) Born: Sweden; Studied: California College of Arts and Crafts (Oakland); Member: American Watercolor Society, Society of Western Artists. N. Eric Oback moved to Northern California from Sweden in 1946 and began to professionally exhibit his watercolor paintings in the early 1950s. From the 1950s until 1979, he lived in San Jose and was an art instructor at San Jose State College.