Fog

Today we woke up to a deep dense fog.
Grey, hazy, smoky and smoldering, mysterious, eerie and romantic...
A perfect fog for the final scene of Casablanca.
A very film noir morning.

Happy & Healthy New Year!

Simply Gluten Free Magazine, Jan/Feb 2013

Kicking off the New Year with a nasty cold was not exactly what I had planned. I am all about the vision boards, resolutions, reviewing the past year, and setting my sights and goals for a new year.  I love that stuff!! But, this year I am easing in a little slower, taking care of myself, and taking the time to allow my body to get heal.

Today I am sitting in the sunny spot of my kitchen, soaking in the warmth of my chai tea - and the sun, enjoying my favorite magazine!  And, yes, I am quietly thinking about goals reached in 2012, goals to reach for in 2013... and beyond.

This magazine represents a life-long goal of illustrating for a printed magazine (you can find me on pg 21) and it was realized in  2012 with the premier issue.  It is especially important to me, to be part of something I believe in so strongly.  Living gluten-free gave me my life back, removed 30+ years of debilitating migraines, and gave me the ability, energy and focus to go for my goals.

Wishing everyone a Joyous, HEALTHY, Gluten-free New Year!!  

December Special, Printable Gift Tags

The Holidays are a time for sharing, so during the month of December all orders will qualify for a FREE GIFT from me to you.  

When you make a purchase you will have a choice of 1 of the 4 different FREE printable holiday gift tag designs... Pixie Elf, Holly Boot, Snowflake Stilettos OR Christmas Wreaths.
Once a purchase is made I will email you the pdf printable file of your choice... Pixie Elf, Holly Boot, Snowflake Stilettos OR Christmas Wreaths. When you buy through my etsy shop ErinGoPaint you can leave a message to seller with your choice of FREE printable tag page.  








If you make a purchase at Praline Pixies EGP or the GF Illustrator on Zazzle you can contact me on my Facebook at ErinGoPaint, let me know what you bought - and then I can email you your printable gift page.







Happy Holidays to all, 

and to all a good night!

Praline Pixies

After receiving many requests for my princesses, super heroes, and fairy tale characters on t-shirts I have created a place just for that.  

Introducing Praline Pixies... 
"Here you will find my original watercolor illustrations of young african american and multiracial girls as princesses, super heroes, and fairy tale characters. I am inspired by my daughter who at 3 thought all princesses and beautiful girls had yellow hair and peach skin. I started creating so she - and many others - can see that beauty is not confined to one look.

I believe they have a very positive influence on how young girls see themselves. I have been told by so many clients that their daughter thinks the painting is them. So they get to see themselves reflected as the beautiful princess, instead of a constant stream of images that look nothing like them. 

Life is certainly not all about beauty, but if young girls can grow up appreciating who they are and the beauty that they have, it will help them to grow into strong and confident women. "

My art prints are collected by buyers worldwide, hoping that the t-shirts and fun products available will find homes all over the globe.

Thanksgiving Reflections

Before the holiday weekend is in full swing I am taking a few moments of quiet reflection to consider all that I am thankful for.

I am thankful... our house stood strong during the wrath of Sandy, as so many others were not that fortunate.

Thankful that we were without power for only 8 days.

Thankful that our curbside tree fell into the street, and not the other way.

Thankful for a strong and helpful community.

Thankful for the supplies we did have on hand.

Thankful for our library where we and hundreds others found refuge, power, and recharging each day.

Thankful I had made all my October deadlines before Sandy forced me to take a 2 week vacation(?)

Thankful for our friends who invited us to their home each day.

Thankful that these friends have a gluten-free home, and that was one less thing I had to worry about.

Thankful for Betty at the fish counter for giving us 2 bags of ice when we couldn't find any.

Thankful to be illustrating for Simply Gluten Free Magazine.

Thankful for the GF community I have found on Twitter.

Thankful for my family, my friends, my husband, my daughter.

Thankful to anyone still reading my list!  :)

Wishing everyone a wonderful gluten-free Thanksgiving Holiday!

Guacamole

"Guacamole, a Balanced Diet", watercolor & ink on paper, 8x10, copyright Erin Rogers Pickering

I LOVE guacamole and I used to think of it as something to be saved for a special occasion. Just to be enjoyed sparingly.  That somehow because of its rich, creamy texture (SO rich and creamy) and the divine, savory flavor that it must be decadent.

Before I went gluten-free chocolate was my number 1 migraine trigger.  I went 23 years without chocolate (yes, 23 years!) and I used guacamole as my substitute when the chocolate craving hit hard!  That oh-so-fabulous Rich Creamy texture did the trick and curbed the cravings that drove me mad.  Those beautiful avacados kept me from having the chocolate trigger migraines that confined me to bed for 4 or 5 days at a time, and unknowingly I was also getting a mega health boost. 

Now that I know all the amazing benefits of avacado it has become a staple in our house.  I make and enjoy guacamole every chance I get, savoring every delectable bite.

Every Day

"Balanced Diet, Peppers", watercolor & ink on paper, 8x10, copyright Erin Rogers Pickering

Everyday you have a choice to eat healthy. Or not.  
A choice to improve and heal... to grow stronger, healthier, more vibrant.  
Every day, every meal YOU choose what you put in your body.  
It is in your hands and in your control.

What choices will you make today?