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.

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.

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.

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.

Snow White

"Snow White chooses an Orange!", watercolor & ink, 8x10, copyright Erin Rogers Pickering

In my story Snow White says, “No thanks. I’d rather have an orange!”  She remains strong, healthy, and in charge of her own destiny!

What if we all stayed away from food that robbed our health? That poisoned us?  That slowed us down?  That was filled empty or useless calories? And allowed ourselves to heal and grow strong, healthy and in charge! 

Two things I hope my pre-school daughter learns from me…

See the beauty that you are so that you don’t fall prey to others dictating beauty. And beware the lure of harmful food.

Food and Fairy Tales

Sneak peek of "Snow White" 8x10. watercolor & ink, copyright Erin Rogers Pickering

My daughter, a few months shy of four, loves fairy tales. Fairy tales, fables, myths – you name it.  Books, stories, videos, movies, toys. The fantasies and characters seem to swirl and dance through our home, ever present.  They peek and lurk around books, by the princesses found at every turn, and near the dragons, knights, castles, unicorns,  and - more princesses, that dictate our decor.

I was inspired to illustrate her as the princesses and heroines of her favorite stories so that the big "D" wouldn't be her sole source of how a princess can look.

Inspired and driven.

And as I started to create them, some with my own twist of knowing, and a pinch of my daughter’s wit and imagination, it occurred to me how many of the stories have food as an integral factor… Food that is the distraction, the downfall, the carrier of poison, or the evil lure.

Ah, and so my circle back to celiac and gluten.

To be continued…