My favorite Bob Ross quotes - Monday Motivation

I hate to admit it but when Bob Ross was on television I was not a fan. Something about the show drove me nuts, never sure if it was his voice, the way he painted, maybe it was too quiet - I couldn't put my finger on it.

Looking back from where I stand now I would say it was watching someone paint - when I was barely touching art supplies. I had been convinced by others - and then myself - that it wasn't a worthwhile pursuit.  Sadly, I went through the better part of a decade creating no art. 
It was a mistake.
Just as it was a mistake that it took me so long to appreciate Bob Ross.  ("but there are no mistakes, only happy accidents.")

TREE pose, watercolor and ink, Erin Rogers Pickering

Now I create art pretty much on a daily basis, and though I don't watch his videos - I love reading his quotes and his thoughts on art and life - All gems!

These are some of my favorites:

--> “The secret to doing anything is believing that you can do it. Anything that you believe you can do strong enough, you can do. Anything. As long as you believe.”

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"Whatever makes you happy, you put in your world."

 

-->"Talent is a pursued interest. In other words, anything you are willing to practice, you can do."

"You need the dark in order to show the light."

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"Trees don’t grow even, they don’t grow straight… just however it makes them happy."

"

-->Create your own world right here on the canvas."

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“Just let go — and fall like a little waterfall.”

 And my all-time favorite....

"Every day is a good day when you paint!" 

I am off to follow Mr. Ross's advice.  I hope you enjoy your day and spend some time doing what you love!

You can find more of my art in my Etsy shop Erin Go Paint.
Or check out my daily illustrations on Instagram

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Looking for Sunshine, Daily Sketch

Day 6 of grey skies. We left summer behind and it seems the sun went with it.  Drags me down when we go this many days in a row without sunshine. Without brightness and sparkling light.  

The smoky cast over everything, the dark mornings,  the misty colorless afternoons.  It starts to wear on me when there is no sun to break it up.
So yesterday's drawing prompt for the sketch group I lead, was to draw something yellow. Look around and find something sunshiny- yellow!  Hoping that maybe as a group we could conjure the sun. And feel it's warmth by focusing and drawing yellow.

During my morning run a bright yellow leaf appeared along a stretch road that was all rust and grey and brown.  She stood out like a beacon of brightness, I knew then what I was going to sketch as I scooped her up.  Yes, she as this leaf had personality, it called out to me, and made me feel bright and happy and sunny.

For the rest of the run dozens of other yellow leaves stood out brightly - begging to be included.  By the time I arrived at home, I was carrying a bouquet of sunshine. 



You can see my more of my work in my Etsy shop Erin Go Paint.Or check out my recent 100 Day Project on Instagram

Do You Do What You Love Every Day?

I found this on Awakened Musings instagram page.
It immediately struck me - and I set to making my lists. At first glance I found I was including many of the things on my Happy List every day!  
But then I kept going, digging a little deeper, really thinking about my happiness list... and admitted to letting a lot slide by the wayside. Getting caught up in the daily to-dos and get dones, forever checking the calendar, the time, next, next, next... doesn't leave much space for it.

But this was an excellent reminder to take note of what does bring me happiness - the little things that make me smile, feel connected, content and joyful. 

Some were obvious to me like painting, drawing, mixing paint, walking/running, meditating and hugging my family.
 

But what about wearing beautiful shoes, drinking hot coffee and daydreaming as the sun comes up, deep belly laughs, poking around in a bookstore or antique shop, writing morning pages, and eating dark chocolate, to name a few.
This is certainly a work in progress and I intend to continue listing and adjusting, listing and adjusting. 


Will you take time to make yours today? 
And then, adjust accordingly...

 

Halfway to 100 Days - of watercolor illustrations

I was enamored with the idea of the 100 Days Project after seeing a friend, and fellow artist, Brooklyn Blue Day posting daily on Instagram.
So I made a decision to create a watercolor illustration for 100 days in a row... The process has had a tremendous impact on my art - and my life, and I will be sharing what I have learned soon.

                           Day 50 - Fresh Juicy Watermelon

Yesterday I celebrated the 50 Day mark!  It went SO fast and yet there were days that I struggled to make the time - or find the inspiration. But each day I persevered, and am looking forward to what comes up over the next 50 days.

Here are some of the crowd favorites from the first fifty....

 You can follow my daily progress on instagram at Erin Go Paint
And you can view my online portfolio at ErinRogersPickering.com

Daily Drawing - Fresh Limes

"I have learned that what I have not drawn, I have not really seen."
~ Frederick Franck

Limes - fresh, tart, juicy, and bright... using the wedges as I sketch.


To view my online portfolio visit ErinRogersPickering.com
To view my shop  please visit ErinGoPaint

Summer Camping

Recently we returned from a beautiful fun-filled camping trip.

It's been a crazy summer with too much going on and I hadn't really felt relaxed since school got out.

But put me in the mountains with...

Chilly mornings

Warm sunny afternoons by the pool

Cold evenings by the campfire toasting marshmallows

Full bodied red wine (yes, red wine even while camping)And I actually started to unwind! 
Because there is nothing quite like being in the mountains. (except maybe being at the beach, but that's a story for another day)

While there I went for an early morning run with breezes in the dense leaves, laughter of kids on bikes in their pajamas, scents of bacon cooking on open fires, coffee brewing in the open air, early campfires lit to chase the morning chill..  and I finally hit my stride. Literally.

Summer Sketchbook, "Leaves", watercolor and ink, Erin Rogers Pickering


Relaxed, calm, happy, totally chill and feeling wonderful.

Summer Sketchbook, "Leaves with Patterns", watercolor and ink, Erin Rogers Pickering

As I was finishing up my run a leaf fell right in my path.

One perfect orange and yellow Autumn leaf.

The first sign of fall - and just as I was hitting my summer stride.