Zucchini Cheesy Bread

My Facebook page is riddled with video recipes these days.  They come across as so quick and easy. But much more time consuming then they appear.

Recently though a friend shared this recipe by Delish on Facebook and I was intrigued.  Intrigued and haunted! The Zucchini cheesy bread was in my dreams that night, so the next morning I ran out and stocked up on the ingredients. I had to!

Truth be told - any 'bread' that doesn't use flour or grains grabs my attention. That, and anything that even resembles pizza in any way.

Luckily I was given a food processor recently and it makes all the difference in speeding through the grating/grinding process. Hand grating 3 zucchinis and all that cheese could be quite laborious and time consuming.

The recipe was easy to follow though, and impressively mine came out looking exactly like the video.  And the taste!  The taste was a winner and everyone raved.  I have made it successfully three times now.
Tips to share:

1. Be sure to squeeze all the liquid out of the grated zucchini.  If it's too wet it takes twice as long to bake (how do I know? don't ask!) and it doesn't firm up as well.

2. Definitely serve it with a marinara sauce for dipping.

3. Excellent leftover too!

Enjoy!

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

Monday Motivation - Eating from the rainbow

 

Every Monday is an opportunity for a fresh start!  What extra vegetable can you add into your day? 

Try buying something different, something new, or something you haven't had in a long time.

What color will you pick from the rainbow?

"People often say that motivation doesn't last. Well, neither does bathing - that's why we recommend it daily."  Zig Zaglar 

 

If you enjoy my art you can find more in my Etsy shop Erin Go Paint.
Or check out my daily illustrations on Instagram

 

Into the Canyon

"Into the Canyon" acrylic on canvas, 12x12, copyright Erin Rogers Pickering

About 12 years ago when the need to paint became a steady roar inside of me. A roar that I could no longer ignore in pursuit of "more worthwhile" activities and career choices... I saw or rather felt a vision - a series of paintings that I needed to create. Something I needed to bring to life.
Persistently calling me, they were so very distant.  I told my boyfriend (who is now my husband) that I felt as if I was standing on one side of the Grand Canyon, and this soul-searching series of art that was begging to be created, was on the other side of the Canyon. 
Miles and miles away. 
With the most enormously deep and wide space between me and  my soul vision - the place I was supposed to be.
Greatly frustrated, I didn't know how to get there.  

"Yes, you do.  You need to go into the canyon. You need to paint your way through. There's no other way." (there's a reason he is now my husband)

And, so I went in a bit, came back out. Tentatively, in and out a few times.  Skirted and thoroughly explored the edges and trails on this side. The side I knew. For a while I set up camp - watching and keeping and eye on the distant place I would eventually need to travel to.

Now, it is time.
I am going in!
I would say 'Wish me luck', but I don't need it.  I've got my paints, my imagination, and faith. 

wow - reading this today, January 25, 2017, is a real eye-opener! By following my daily art practice, and the commitment to make something every day... now, I am truly in the canyon - and loving every minute of the journey!!

You can follow my daily illustrations on my Instagram page. 

Showing Up

Sunset over Puerto Vallarta, acrylic on Canvas, 24x36, copyright Erin Rogers Pickering

Sometimes I get lucky... lucky to go on an amazing vacation, and watch night after night of incredible sunsets.  And even years later, I close my eyes and I am in that hot tub on the beach, cocktail in hand, with my husband, watching the greatest show on earth.

Sometimes I get lucky... by setting up and showing up - out pours a painting as if by magic!  And I am purely the go-between that is mixing and moving the paint.

This painting literally exploded out of me. 

Last night it left me exhausted and conflicted.  

This morning I saw it with fresh eyes and attitude.  I went back to the easel this morning and painted from the heart, from what I felt, from the experience... and less from the literal.

I finished.  

I am pleased.

I feel very lucky indeed.

The Suffragette

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

The newest addition to my ongoing Vintage Closets series.  

A tribute to the women who marched before us... and for us! 

They marched encumbered by layers and layers of clothing, and certainly not the most comfortable shoes.  Many shoes to keep her feet going.

They stood for what they believed.

And, they changed the world!

Wildfire

"Wildfire" watercolor on paper, 8x10, copyright Erin Rogers Pickering

Wildfire, my newest watercolor, and I was singing the song from 1975, the entire time I was painting - which certainly influenced the intensity of color!  The more the song looped the more vivid she became.

That amazing, glossy coat like fire in the late day sun.  The more orange, gold, and reds I used - the more I could deepen the shadows with eggplant and aubergine (which beg to be used because both their hues and names are so wonderful!)

I captured her energy just in that moment before she bolted - and ran wildly, happily free!

Upcoming Watercolor Workshop - playing with paint

Evergreen, watercolor sketch, copyright Erin Rogers Pickering

My  little girl loves "water painting" with me!  We go through stacks of copy paper painting, experimenting, doodling, mixing colors and playing... okay, we both love it!  :)

Last week while painting with her I took out my Strathmore watercolor cards so I could 'play' a little more seriously.  I am starting to prep for a watercolor workshop on Jan 29th at Gerayln's Art Studio, and wanted to try out some salt techniques.  So using her crayola pan paints and some wacky, bent up bristle brush I tried out the salt on my tree.

Now, I love my Windsor & Newton series 7 brushes and my holbein tube watercolor paints (never giving them up!)... but I was impressed that I got decent results with kiddie brushes and paints because I had good paper.

And, she was super excited, and felt very grown up, to get to paint on Mommy's cards!


“When we engage in what we are naturally suited to do, our work takes on the quality of play and it is play that stimulates creativity.” – Linda Naiman

For details on playing with watercolors at my workshop check out Maplewood Patch. 

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.

What to Wear... to the French Court

Thinking of dressing up as Marie Antoinette for Halloween!  I've never done it but would love to.  All those delicious clothes, shoes, wigs would be SO much fun!

                  

'Beautiful Marie ....' by elfoto

All listings about and for beautiful and gorgeous women like Marie Antoinette :)Enjoy!

Paris French Pink Marie Masq... FrenchKissedPi... $75.00	Marie Antoinette Fantasy Gow... RomanticThread... $850.00	ECO Marie Antoinette's W... glaciermilk $169.00
French chic Marie Antoinette... VorontsovaART $4.29	Marie Antoinette - Lustre Pr... meluseena $18.00	Marie Antoinette shoes vivelareine $180.00
Marie Antoinette Style Cotto... PoshFairytaleC... $100.00	Marie Antoinette Decorated S... ProfMaelstromm... $112.00	Marie Antoinette Rococo Shoe... eringopaint $25.00
Sparkle Fantasy Marie Antoin... RomanticThread... $1250.00	Full Marie Antoinette Costum... mdalejohnson $300.00	Marie Antoinette Pink Fluffy... Oliviasromanti... $24.00
Marie Antoinette - Pink Fra... Narry $3.50	Halloween Wig Marie Antoinet... TiffanyDeMiche... $205.00	Marie Antoinette Of Our Hear... artisticcorner $45.00
COTTAGE Shabby Chic Marie An... VorontsovaART $4.19

Treasury tool by Red Row Studio.

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.

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.

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.

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!"

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!... 

Sketch of the Day - Gerbera Girl

My flower among flowers.

I was photographing a fresh bouquet and she wanted to be part of the action, so put on her petal headband. She posed and preened for the camera.  Then, I caught her in a rare quiet and reflective moment, unaaware of me and the lens - and captivated by the blooming color around her.

Week #7 of 52 Week Challenge

"Eye to Eye" watercolor on paper, 8x10, copyright Erin Rogers Pickering

Success!

The giraffe is finished and I feel like celebrating and crying (crying from joy, release and relief). I placed him on a shelf where we could view him, wiped my tears, and opened a bottle of wine.

Somehow, I turned a corner with this painting. A BIG corner. My demons were lurking but I faced them, and more importantly, got past them. The demons that try to derail the vision. The demons that make me question my ability. The demons that say there isn't enough time. The demons who torture me into thinking it is never quite finished.

It may be one little 8x10 watercolor painting but it is a giant step for me.

And, now it's time to start the next one!

Field of dreams

"French Cottage" acrylic on canvas, private collection, copyright Erin Rogers Pickering 

The movie was on TV the other night, and I watched it for the umpteenth time. It’s in my top 10, possibly top 5. I love the message.... Follow your dream, listen to the voice, stick with what has meaning to you even if others don't understand or think you are a little crazy.

Not only did Ray Kinsella create something magical that drew people to it and that had meaning to many others, but it gave him the opportunity to reconnect with his father whom he had lost years before. I love this movie but I can't watch it without crying.

I was drawn to create this blog (forgive the pun) and it struck me while watching the movie that by documenting my gluten-free journey I feel closer to my mother whom we lost 26 yrs ago. Telling my story has brought about a deep personal journey which sometimes becomes too intense for me. Explains my sporadic writing. Also explains why so many of my own postings make me cry.

I believe in my heart of hearts that my mother had celiac disease, which set the stage for stomach cancer.  This blog is an ongoing dedication to my mom who may have had a different fate had she known about celiac disease when she was young.  And dedicated to my own health & future that I am building one gluten-free day at a time.

I am building it - and SHE has come.

The Little Things

"Right hand drawing left hand, drawn with right hand" ink & pencil, 5x7, copyright Erin Rogers Pickering

I started wearing nail polish in the 7th grade. A woman on our street worked for a cosmetic company and gave me dozens of sample bottles. I loved it - another dimension in painting. And I loved the color sparkling at the tips of my fingers. It was not allowed at school so it was my weekend decoration only.

From High School on I was never without nail polish. I had long strong nails and loved the color accent. Most people who knew me had never seen me without it. It was my signature.

About 7 years ago I started noticing problems with my nails... Splitting, cracking, ridges, white spots, and the top layer appeared to be peeling off.  My dermatologist diagnosed psoriasis (along with patches on my face and arms) and said there was no cure. Oh - and to stop wearing polish. Two weeks layer my husband proposed and everyone I knew was checking out my ring - and my un-manicured hands.

Flash forward... A year after sticking strictly to my gluten-free diet my nails are all the same length, no spots, no ridges, no cracking, peeling or splitting… As strong as they used to be. (and my skin is clear)  I did my nails last night for the first time in years and I feel like that little girl again with color dancing at the tips of my fingers.

Sometimes, it’s the little things…

Doorways

Doorways of France I, watercolor on paper, 8x10, copyright Erin Rogers Pickering

I've always had a thing for doorways... I like to draw them, photograph them, wondering what lays inside and they have played heavily in my dreams and nightmares.

Especially my nigtmares... There was a time I had so many 'door' nightmares that it inspired me to quit the job I had at the time. After months & months of similar nightmares they abruptly ceased when I gave notice.

Doorways hold a significant place in fairytales and fables representing entering the psyche. 

They are all over frequently used expessions... The eyes are the doorway to the soul; When opportunity knocks be sure to open the door; Shutting the door on the past; A foot in the door; Katy bar the door; Beating a path to your door.

I met my husband by opening the door both literally & figuratively. So quite appropriately we used one of my doorway paintings as the cover of his book, Patches of Grey.

You are never quite sure what you will find when entering a door but the outside sometimes shows a suggestion of what you will find within. Sometimes there are surprises. 

On April 17 2008 I stepped through the gluten-free doorway (well, actually I probably crawled through). I found a whole new world within myself and in my surroundings. It is an amazingly beautiful place to have ended up. Believing I was entering a place of limits - never imagining it would be filled with unlimited possibilities. 

Facing Challenges

watercolor on paper, 8x10, copyright Erin Rogers Pickering

Recently a friend asked if I would do a portrait of the beloved family dog that they had while she was growing up, as an anniversary gift for her parents. I love her - and her parents - so agreed immediatetly.

Then, I got the photo of the dog. Yikes. Just one reference photo, an all black dog in shadow! With obviously no chance of seeing the dog myself. It was way more than I bargained for --- and was not at all sure how to proceed.

First, I avoided. Then panicked. Then avoided again. Then dipped my toes in by doing the initial sketches and congratulated myself on progress. Yeah right. The drawing was the easy part and I knew it. I also knew come hell or high water I was going to complete this painting. I can be very stubborn.

So I did some research on painting black fur, and looked at dozens and dozens of photos of black dogs, and truly examined the photo I was given.

And inch by inch I made progress. At times difficult, other times fun, frustrating, informative, experimental, but it pushed me to try. And to try. And by trying I learned and I grew and found I could do it - and succeed.

So like my challenge of going, and staying, safely gluten free. Easy enough to agree to, but a huge learning curve... avoidance, research reseach and more research, days of discouragment and accomplishment, days I saw my health improving rapidly, along with those of backsliding. And I continued and pushed and grew... And along the way became a baker, a blogger, a supporter, a resource, an advocate, and a painter of black fur! (and let's not forget - healthy!)

My friend loved the painting, and during our visit we discussed celiac disease and it's many manifestations. She had many questions for me, and was calling her doctor the next day to get tested. On the drive home I realized these challenges really did go hand in hand.