A Girl and her Doll

The late afternoon sun is casting long warm shadows through the window.

"A Girl and her Doll", watercolor on paper, 8x10, copyright Erin Rogers Pickering

The child sits in a moment of rare quiet and stillness.  Tenderly holding her favorite doll.

Whispering quiet secrets to the doll… her baby, her best friend, sister, confidant ... Changeable at a moments notice.  But, always steadfast and sweet.

The secrets will forever be safe with her.

4 Years Gluten Free!

This week I am celebrating my 4 year anniversary!  
FOUR years dedicated to no gluten.  

The improvements keep coming, it continues to get easier, and what I am capable in my life of keeps growing.  
The food we enjoy is fresh, delicious, and abundant.
It is a beautiful thing!


I continue to be very sensitive to cross contamination and even small accidental gluten - but the reactions now are much less severe than in the beginning.  And I am grateful for that.


I am deeply thankful to my daughter for providing my ah ha! moment.  She is a gem and a joy - and eating well gives me the energy and spirit to be the Mom I strive to be, and that she deserves.  Present and pain free.


One of the most profound changes for me is when I removed the gluten - I removed the migraines that had viciously plagued me since I was 12.  Since I was twelve years old I had lived a life of frequent debilitating migraines.  Over 30 years of trying everything under the sun!


Now they are a rare occurrence.


The migraines went from 1 - 4 per week, down to 3 or 4 per year!!  And if I get accidental gluten, it will trigger a migraine.  Without it, I am clear.


So, I am off to enjoy my 4-year mark and joyfully will be able to include red wine and chocolate in my celebration!!

Passion in the History

A lot has been said on following your passion, and creating what you love.  When I think back to school and was studying Fashion Design my absolute favorite course was Fashion History!

 "Retro SwimSuits 1920s", copyright Erin Rogers Pickering

I could not wait to go each week.

I was consumed by it. 

I was so interested that most of what I learned 30 yrs ago is still fresh in my memory. And for each Period we studied we got to create a garment of our own design from that period.  

Illustrated and rendered in watercolor, which is when I learned to adore, and respect, watercolor.  I could have taken this course over and over! 

I am smiling ear to ear while writing this as I remember that time.

 "Flapper's Closet" copyright Erin Rogers Pickering

This kind of project brought me nothing but joy!

So, I am revisiting it now... And am loving every minute of it! 

The research, sketches, inking, painting - and immersing myself in the time period.

"Edwardian Corsets" copyright Erin Rogers Pickering

Thinking of the history, the social norms - and restrictions, of the time… and how fashion played a part in all of it.

Total joy creating this art, and truly thankful to be in my present where I am free to live the life I live, and create the art that I love. 

Small Steps

It can be very difficult to change the way you eat.  And, many struggle with the transition to a gluten-free diet.  It takes thought, planning, never-ending label reading, and time.

It can be a daunting task to face.  Overwhelming.  It can feel too too big. And, you think... "I can't do this!"
But, what if you took it one day at a time?


One day. Today.


Just eat well, today.  Make good choices, today. 
Do it today and it will bring you one step closer to where you want to be - and need to be.  


I read a very inspiring article at The Skool of Life titled "Give it one More Day and Take Another Step Forward"
This article resonated with me - speaking to my art, my health, my parenting... and how I saw my gluten-free transition.
Everyday was one step forward - and one step closer!

I stuck with it, kept stepping... and ended up where I wanted and needed to be!


Just give it one more day.....

Looking for some sunshine...

Yesterday was grey and gloomy. 
Today we face another murky morning.  
Right now the sun is struggling to break through, but so far the clouds are winning that battle.  I am rooting for the sun- and brightness and light and warmth!   All that good stuff!


This time of year I crave sunlight.  A few gray days in a row really get to me.  So I am searching for sunshine wherever I can find it!

from My Home Ideas

I could cozy up in this kitchen in a heartbeat!!  I can almost feel the sun coming in those windows!!  And, while I'm dreaming... how lovely would it be to make my coffee in this kitchen and then curl up into this window seat....  ahhhh!

from Houzz.com

Me and my rhino would fit right in!!

"Green Rhino", watercolor on paper, 5x7, copyright Erin Rogers Pickering

Wishing you a sunny yellow day!

No Roses Please

The first time I told my husband I didn't want roses for Valentine's Day he thought it was a test.  Like, you say you don't want them but you really do and I am supposed to buy anyway kind of a thing?  or what?
Nope, not a test. Just no roses for me. 

But - what I would like is Calla Lilies or Gerbera Daisies.
Not that I have anything against roses but I LOVE Calla Lilies and Gerberas!  Love them! 
Inspired by them!

Calla Lilies for their sculptural shape, sleek lines and sophistication.

Gerberas for their color, their joyfulness.

And, if you can't find them for Valentine's day - a week later is okay.  Or as in the vase pictured above a random day in January he surprised me one evening!  Those are the best kind!

Happy Valentine's Day!  

May your day be filled with love and light and color!

Heat of the Sun

"Adobe in the Sun", 7"x9", watercolor on paper, copyright Erin Rogers Pickering

The heat and the vibrancy of the Southwest sun.  Love it!

I really pumped up the color of these buildings to capture the experience of that moment, and that trip... 

The heat, the vividness, the energy, the wonder, and the deep-down-all-over-amazing feelings of being in Taos.  The firey color palette brings it all back in a heartbeat!  I can feel the warmth of that sun on my face again.

Like getting a visual hit of vitamin D.  

Ah... that'll help get me through the rest of winter in NJ.