Dilek Yerlikaya was born in Erzincan. She completed her undergraduate studies at Mimar Sinan Fine Arts University (MSFAU) Fine Arts Faculty Traditional Turkish Arts Illumination Department Faruk Taşkale Workshop in 1998; and her graduate studies at MSFAU with her thesis themed “The Analysis of the Handwritten Qur’ans at SÜ. SSM Collection in Terms of Their Illuminations” in 2010. She took bookbinding classes from İslâm Seçen, marbling classes from Hikmet Barutçugil and miniature classes from Yakup Cem at the university. She worked as the manager of Vakko Beyoğlu Art Gallery between 1998-2002. Yerlikaya started her miniature studies with Taner Alakuş in 2002. She gives miniature classes at Fatih Sultan Mehmet Foundation University Fine Arts Faculty and Medipol University as an instructor, and at İSMEK Training Schools in specialization field. Yerlikaya, who participated in many personal and group exhibitions, continues her artistic studies at her workshop named ZER Art Miniature and Illumination Design Workshop. She won an award in drawing branch in 2015 International Biennial ‘The Art of Miniature’ Ruse Art Galeria – Bulgaria.