Tuesday, December 13, 2011

Early Morning Elf


Our Elf on the Shelf has basically backfired this year!


Last December our then 4-year old was all about being as well-behaved as possible because 'Lula-Belle' was watching.


This December the only behavior our elf is affecting is how early our now 5-year old wakes up!  It's ALL about seeing where she landed the night before.  So as we approach Christmas, the mornings get earlier and earlier - and earlier.  
On the bright side, I've seen some amazing sunrises recently!

Wednesday, November 30, 2011

What to wear... to a Holiday Tree Lighting


Stand out from the crowd - and above it - in these sky high, bright scarlet beauties!  Inspired by Nutcrackers and wooden soldiers these stiletto peep toes will keep you in Holiday style.

Monday, November 21, 2011

Christmas is Coming!



Still a month away but our 5 year old is already talking about it non-stop!  Actually she talks about Christmas year round, but now the conversation is daily!!

But, this weekend her Elf on the Shelf will make her debut appearance for the season.  And her (our elf is LulaBell) upcoming return inspired me to create this.  Painting to commence tomorrow!  No time to loose.  


Monday, October 31, 2011

Princess and the Frog - Part I





I envisioned a Princess and the Frog illustration that would...


1. show some Tiana influence in the dress but not be a replica
2. have a cape
3. be wearing a crown
4. and a cornrow-to-beaded braids hairstyle


Actually #4 was my first requirement... since that is how I was seeing her in my imagination.  I'm super happy with the results and anxious to bring her to life with paint. 

What do you think??



Wednesday, October 19, 2011

What to Wear Wednesday... Spice





Variety is the spice of life.  And - so are shoes!!


Preparing to ship a large order of 11x14 prints.  They looked so bright and lively spread out on the table - they just lit up the room!  My client will be selling these as framed prints... and they will certainly light up any space.


I hung a test print of one in my studio - and am loving having it here.



Wednesday, September 21, 2011

What to Wear... Leaf Peeping




These boots were made for walking - these boots were made for Autumn!  
The leaves may still be green today but before I know it the rich, warm colors will be all around. And, most especially the spectacular, and very old, sugar maple in our yard.
I'll be standing by in my boots, with rake, camera and candy corn at the ready.


Happy Fall!

Monday, September 19, 2011

Monday Inspiration - Fall Harvest, Tomatoes



Ah - tomatoes!  I look forward to the late summer, early autumn just for them.   And, I could eat them at every meal so I took this photo as soon as I could - before they were gone.  They are sneak preview of leaf colors that we will see as we move deeper into the Fall.


The colors are simply gorgeous - vivid, inspiring and bottomless.


So as with all my visual obsessions... I have to paint them.  I painted this basket of tomatoes a few years back.  And my biggest challenge was the depth and vibrancy of the color - that color goes beyond red!  I used layers and layers of glazed color, many of which were lemon yellow, to achieve the luminosity.


The original painting hangs in my kitchen bringing me a vivid reminder of those stunning colors year round. 


Monday, September 12, 2011

Inspiration Monday - Quote of the week

"Thumbelina Ballerina" watercolor and ink on paper, 8x10, copyright Erin Rogers Pickering



"And the day came when the risk to remain tight in a bud was more painful than the risk it took to blossom."  ~Anais Nin


Monday, August 15, 2011

Inspiration Monday - Crayons


Crayons! 
They were my favorite as a child... I can still remember when I got my first box of 64!  with-a-built-in-sharpener AND everything!!!!  I think I felt the earth move that day!  And, how I treasured that box of umlimited possiblities.  Color galore.  Brings happy tears to my eyes.

Crayons still make me a little giddy. And, happily my 5 year old daughter loves to color and craft. We spend many an hour coloring side by side.  I with my (well, technically they are hers) crayons, her with her markers... which are her favorite. Who knows... maybe years from now she will be writing almost the same thoughts about markers! :)
I also now work out color schemes of paintings while I color with my girl.  I'll scan my black and white drawing, print out a few copies, and experiment with crayons.

When is the last time you played with crayons? grabbed a handful and went crazy with color and abandon?
Go ahead... take a fistful, take a deep breath of that glorious crayony smell --- and go create something fun and wonderful.  That's were I'm headed now....

Thursday, July 21, 2011

Super Girl!

"Super Girl with Natural Hair" watercolor and ink on paper, 8x10, copyright erin rogers pickering


Super Girl... what's the source of her strength...?
Her brains

Her curiosity
Her style

Her attitude

Her amazing hair!


Guess you'll have to ask her!



Inspired by my 5 year old daughter who continues to give me terrific material to work with. Forever costumed, inventing stories and characters.


A true adventure girl!
 






Wednesday, July 20, 2011

What to wear Wednesday...

"Watermelon Stiletto" watercolor & ink, 5x7, copyright Erin Rogers Pickering

The Watermelon Stiletto is What to wear to this weekend's picnic.

You'll get some extra distance in the seed spitting contest perched on top of these juicy stilettos!
Good luck - and have a blast!!

Thursday, June 30, 2011

Cleopatra... A Classic Beauty

"Cleopatra", watercolor and ink on paper, 8x10, copyright Erin Rogers Pickering

Cleopatra... a brilliant, strong-willed queen who dreamed of a greater world.  
Empowering my daughter with strong female leaders and role models.

I believe this painting painted itself... I was just the middle man.  It has been driving me forward, and not letting me sleep or think of little else.  She is now complete, in all her royal beauty and splendor. 

Now I can rest.


Wednesday, June 29, 2011

Cleopatra... the emerging Queen



Here she is about halfway complete.  Scanning and looking at a painting on the screen gives me a fresh perspective that I don't get as I hover over a piece.  And I do tend to hover over the details... This way I get a better look at the work as a whole.


Tomorrow I get to paint all her beads and jewels- and the Cobra!  Looking forward to working on the decorations.

Thursday, June 23, 2011

Sketch of the Day - Cleopatra

I woke up this morning with a clear picture of this in my head.  So happy to see on paper what was swirling in my imagination.   Can't wait to add color- vivid, rich and majestic.


Cleopatra in progress... to be continued.

Monday, June 6, 2011

SOMA Artist Open Studio Tour, June 5th


Had a great day at the 2011 SOMA Studio Tour!  Lots of lovely people stopped by the house.  Will be recuperating today and packing up my yellow Gerbera Daisy for shipping to its new home.


Thursday, June 2, 2011

SOMA Artist Open Studio Tour... countdown

"Sunset over Vieques", acrylic on canvas, 30x40, copyright Erin Rogers Pickering

Only 2 days to go to the SOMA Artist Open Studio Tour.  I have a list a mile long of things I still need to do.  Not the least of which is to clean the house.

And, all I really want to do is paint!  Preparing for an exhibition like this makes me take a really good look at my work. Inhabit it.  Be back in the space when I created each piece.  
It feels good. 
And it inspires me to want to create more... and more.

Though there is no time or space for painting in the final days/hours leading up to the show that is where my thoughts keep returning. So I am taking notes on what I want to work on come Monday and, I will be super charged to jump right in.





Tuesday, May 31, 2011

Rapunzel II and the 2 strand twists

"Rapunzel II", watercolor and ink on paper, 8x10, copyright Erin Rogers Pickering

My art director (my 5yr old) on this project has pronounced her finished!  Actually screamed and squealed when she saw it!  And, she won't let me touch her with another drop of paint.  

She believes it's perfect as is.  I appreciate that!  Normally I would have to be the one who proclaims a painting complete (Ok, I always decide when its complete) but for this project I let go and followed her direction.  My gut said to go with her gut,  so the background will not be painted... and am very happy with the finished piece.  And enjoyed the process of following her direction.

The original will hang in her room, the prints are available in my etsy shop.

Thursday, May 26, 2011

Rapunzel II - its all about the Hair!



Had to show her hair!  Rapunzel is obviously ALL about the hair, but once the dress is painted it may have to share the limelight. 


My daughter LOVES the hair and went crazy when she saw this stage of the painting.   The hair which was inspired by her recent 2 strand twists.  The twists took me forever to do, but I intend to keep practicing.



Rapunzel II in progress



Rapunzel II is taking shape and coming to life.  I love the stage where all is still black and white, paper and line, except the rich skin tones.  Like she's caught between fairy tale and reality.


She'll be ready for adventure soon!

Thursday, May 19, 2011

Snap Crackle and Pop!

"Snap!" pencil on paper, 3x5, copyright Erin Rogers Pickering

Rice krispies. I grew up on them. I had 2 favorite cereals as a kid, and this was one! As an adult it continued to be a favorite breakfast - and dinner in a pinch.

But I hadn't had them in 10 years.  Not since stripping most gluten out of my diet. (It wasn't until 3 yrs ago that I learned I needed to go completely gf).

Because gluten is everywhere and seemingly in every big brand produced food, no matter what it is, I eat more and more food from the smaller companies. Those companies that safely produce for gluten intolerance (read NO shared facilities). So I was hesitant when I first heard about Kellogg’s coming out with Gluten Free Rice Krispies!  Really?!

And then I heard they are using a GF facility! Now I was getting interested.

I was sent a complimentary trial box - and got very excited. You mean I was going to get to eat a childhood staple?! Safely?!    Cue nostalgia and teary eyes. Truly.

My first bowl was a bit of an event with sliced bananas and a touch of honey. Once the milk hit the bowl the very familiar crackling started. They looked and sounded the same. My fingers were crossed under the table as I took the first taste… Ahhh. Exactly the same as I remembered. Delicious. So I munched my way thru the bowl, and down memory lane.

Thank you Kellogg’s.

PS- my 5 year old who eats GF too fell in love with them. And a friend who was recently diagnosed with celiac almost cried when I gave her a box. She is thrilled with them and only stopped long enough to say "yummy!"

Friday, May 13, 2011

Rapunzel - the second

"Rapunzel II" in progress, ink on watercolor paper, copyright Erin Rogers Pickering

I accepted an assignment from my toughest client this week - my 5yr old daughter.  She wanted a rapunzel with "long hair, everywhere. Not puffy and up all around."  She was looking for something more literal than my original.


Inspired by her new 2 strand twists look- and the terrific pose she gave me when taking photos of her new 'do'. I decided to accept.

Last night she (whole heartedly) approved the rough sketch. Now the finished drawing is ready and waiting for her color direction.

I wouldn't dare paint that gown before she let's me know if its going to be pink or purple.
But, who knows... Maybe she'll surprise me.

Thursday, May 12, 2011

Sketch of the Day - Hand to Hand

"Right hand drawing right hand, drawing left hand", pencil and ink, 5x6, copyright Erin Rogers Pickering


Happily, so happily, spending the afternoon drawing.

Tuesday, May 10, 2011

Happy Hours!

"Luau", watercolor & ink, 10x4, copyright Erin Rogers Pickering

A string of gorgeous sunny spring days has brought about lovely afternoons and evenings out on the deck. Nothing quite like an adirondack chair and an icy cocktail to inspire thoughts of a tropical vacation, and the many happy hours of summer to come!...