The Dressmaker, a vignette

Enter the Dressmaker's charming cottage.  She leads you up the staircase to her studio,  the air heavy with the past.  With history.  With memories of all the dresses, and the women, and the stories that came before you. So many stories.  Some memories faded and receding. All held within the dress form.

What will she create and craft for you?  How will the fabric, the mannequin and your story guide her? How does she see you?  How do you imagine yourself?  Will she bring to life a commanding stiff brocade,  a shimmering iridescent taffeta,  or a soft, flowing and ethereal chiffon.  

She will be inspired by your story,  your essence,  your dreams.  So cozy up on her workroom sofa, sipping the hot tea and she will quietly, gently ask questions as you examine the fabrics. And she will learn your story. She will create a dream of a gown that is for you alone.

And your story will be held and cherished by the mannequin on which it was sculpted, adding to it's rich history.

A Conversation with my Youngest Art Collector

 "Mothers... Past, Present, Future", watercolor and charcoal on paper, copyright Erin Rogers Pickering

Last night I met with a collector who was purchasing "Mothers... Past, Present, Future" and my 8 year daughter was along for the meeting. She listened to our conversation about art, Moms, parenting, loss, life and age-old friendships. She also watched me like a hawk when she saw me tear up as we were saying goodbye - to the collector and to the piece.
"Mom, how can you sell a painting you love if it makes you sad to let it leave?"

I explained that is was my job to create art and release it to the world. And, that I wasn't truly sad, since I was thrilled it was being purchased, but that is never easy to let a favorite go. But, if my art has deep meaning to me, then it probably will to others. So the more emotional or connected I feel to a piece, the more others will be too. The bottom line really is if I can sell my art, then I can keep painting.  

This morning she was in my studio studying the Vintage Lavender Dress painting, yet again.

"Mom, if I had enough money would you sell me this one? I love it, but I do not want to make you sad."  
As my heart swelled with love, so did my eyes with tears.

I am hanging it in her room today - and the original is hers forever! 

Custom Dress Painting

 My wedding gown has been in a box, in the back of a closet for the last 10 years. Maybe someday my daughter will wear it, but not sure how many times that actually works.  I have tons of lovely photos of our wedding but I still want to create a special painted keepsake. Something I could have on the wall in my bedroom or studio to see - and appreciate.  This dress below is not actually my gown, but it is one I designed based on vintage dresses.  I still need to get to my gown!

Custom Wedding Dress Painting, 8x10, watercolor on paper

Just like I need to get going on my daughter's communion dress - her date is coming up fast.  It will be her surprise gift (a hint of it was greeted by screeches of joy!)  So I am guessing it will be a hit.

I did this pair of paintings for a family with twin and I can't wait to hear what the girls think. So while I am in the flow, I will get hers started today! 

Mother's Day, 3 Generations

"3 Generations... Maiden, Mother, Crone" 

watercolor & charcoal on paper, 16x20, copyright Erin Rogers Pickering

Vintage dress forms, elegant in their faded beauty holding the spirit and the story of all the women they helped dress.

Wishing everyone a Happy Mother's Day... past, present and future mothers!

Art Opening Reception "Shadows of the Past"

I am so happy to announce my one woman show at Gallery 103 - opening reception on Friday, April 4th, 6:30 - 8:30pm. 103 Baker Street, Maplewood, NJ, 07040.  

I have been in a painting frenzy with ideas coming fast and furious for the last few months... and now it is coming together and coming to life!

Here is a brief description of the show to fill you in on the thought behind the art...

From early childhood I was fascinated with old movies and period piece costuming.  One of the highlights while studying Fashion Design at FIT was going behind the closed doors of their costume museum for an up-close presentation of 80-100+ year old lingerie and sleepwear.  Creating this series “Shadows of the Past” gave me the chance to re-visit that love and dwell in a world of antique clothing, past memories, and my own creative process.

I started with the dress and corset pieces, which opened the door for all the dress mannequin paintings - which arrived fully painted in my imagination. It was a matter of sitting down and allowing them to come through me.  These pieces asked (demanded) to be painted.  Like a crowd of people waiting, jostling, pushing to get through a narrow doorway – the images needed me to let them through, using my hand to come to life. The best I can describe the process... it was as if I was painting my ghosts, my ancestors, the spirits of my past.

Many of the paintings are lighter and softer in color than I am used to working, adding to the sense that they are a memory which passed through leaving an imprint on the paper.

Through this collection I am not only exposing the “unmentionables” and the ghosts in my own attic, but have also 'exposed' my artistic process.  Included are pieces taken right out of my sketchbook, and in many paintings the underlying drawings are in charcoal showing the bones of the work. 

The mannequins stand silently telling their story, a reminder of our link to the past.

Hope you can join us at the opening reception!