Gluten-Free Dream Come True!

Recently I was talking with a friend about nightmares and stress dreams. And that now any and all of our stress dreams manifest as gluten nightmares.  Always the gluten.  
No matter the source of the stress.
Like eating something we shouldn't, and the ensuing panic, waking petrified and shaken.  Wondering if it was real. When I was being down-sized from my job I had terrible gluten nightmares - with anounomous people shoving gluten food down my throat as I walked down the street.  (Hmmm, there is a story for another day).

But today it is a truly happy dream.  
I am thrilled to announce that my Gluten-Free dream has really come true!
I will be illustrating food.
Gluten-free food.
For a Gluten Free Magazine.
For the fantastically, spectacular new Gluten-Free magazine... Simply Gluten Free!!! 

Three of my passions have come together in this wonderful place, and it blows my mind.  I keep pinching myself to be sure it is real.  
The premier issue of Simply Gluten Free Magazine will be Nov/Dec, perfect timing for your holiday preparations.  You can find more information on the magazine here: Simply Gluten Free Magazine, and Carol Kicinsk of Simply Gluten Free, and see all the amazing contributing editors.

Sometimes passions do align and dreams actually do come true!!
My pencils, paints and food are poised and ready to go.

Sweet Dreams!

Good Morning Gluten-Free

"The Strutting Rainbow, Gluten-Free", watercolor & ink on paper, copyright Erin Rogers Pickering

In celebration of mornings I created my GF rooster!  

He is nothing but happy! 

He is my testament to wonderful awakenings.

I am no longer slammed by pain upon waking, dragging myself from the bed, calculating how long it would be until I could lay down again. 

That is no way to start any day, and certainly not every day!

So, here is my rooster… Strutting his stuff through the kitchen in the early morning light.

Happy to greet the day!

Happy to be alive!

That, is exactly how I feel!

Beach Baby, sketch

"Beach Baby" rough sketch, 8x10, copyright Erin Rogers Pickering

Our little girl is most definitely a beach baby!  She believes that the beach is the greatest place on earth, well, maybe second only to an amusement park!

But, a day at the beach for her is really like going on vacation.  The water, the shells, sounds of crashing waves, the planes going by pulling ad banners, the bright umbrellas, all the kids, and last but certainly not least... the potential for sand castles!  

I think when she first approaches a new beach she imagines great big elaborate fantastical castles... with moats, towers, windows, and flags flying!  She never quite gets there, as that rhythmic, pounding surf continues to call her in and away from that castle of her dreams.

No matter, there is always next time!

Life is Short - be sure to LIVE!

"Life is Short", watercolor & ink on paper, 5x7, copyright Erin Rogers Pickering

Sadly, I was reminded this week again how short and precious life can be.  

I am very much an advocate of healthy eating and lifestyle choices, but sometimes, you know what, you just should eat the cupcake!  

And truly enjoy it - without guilt.

(As long as it is still within the safety range of your food intolerance.  I think 'cheating' on your allergies and intolerance is crazy - Pure crazy!)

For me the biggest and best treat of all is feeling healthy, energized, pain-free, and happy. And being able to do things that bring me joy.

Life IS Short... so take a chance, take a class, go back to school, tell him you love him, ask her to marry you, step out of your comfort zone, commit to eating healthy, commit to exercise, take a vacation, laugh, dance, dust off your resume, try something new, get out of the house, and off the computer, turn off the TV, take the leap, and as Nike says, "Find your greatness" and "Just DO it!"


Life is Short - eat the cupcake!

Red Hot Kitchen - Red Hot Peppers

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

I love painting peppers!  They are so sculptural, curvy, and yes - sensual!  Quite often resembling a body stretching, bending or relaxing. And, absolutely vibrating with color!  They almost glow in the sunlight... and that is natural antioxidant color.

Gorgeous, crisp and refreshing.

This illustration was bouncing around in my head for a while before I gave it the opportunity to be born on paper. (not sure why I hold them in so long sometimes).  But, once it burst to life on paper it made me want a red kitchen.

I put together this fun collection as I dreamed of what my crimson kitchen might look like...

              

'Red Hot Kitchen' by  eringopaint

Vintage Red Apron with White... CoffeeKlatch $18.00	vintage Dutch canister set, ... AtticAntics $85.00	Red Pink Vintage Handmade Wo... PearlsVintageG... $22.00
Vintage Tomato Slicer dovetailvintag... $9.00	Food Buy It With Thought Vin... 3LambsIllustra... $26.50	Star Home Decor / Whimsical... CarriageOakCot... $25.00
Heirloom Tomatoes Art print ... TheJoyofColor $21.00	Red blue nuno felted blouse,... jezek $112.00	Organic Jam Gift Basket of F... Northernlodge $25.00
CIJ SALE Crochet Strawberry ... FrejaToys $4.25	Red and Brown Floral Oven Mi... madebyemily $22.00	Vintage Metal TV Tray Marchi... TwoStoryVintag... $28.00
Red Apple Sugar Cookies guiltyconfecti... $21.00	CIJ SALE. Linen table runner... JBworld $18.99	food photography tomato &quo... sixthandmain $14.00
2 Small Pyrex Milk Glass Des... FoxandHoundsto... $8.00

Treasury tool supported by the dog house

Color Inspiration - Azure (#1)

The other morning I was struck by the beauty of the crisp clear blue sky as I went for a run.  A gorgeous blue sparkling in contrast to the bright, fluffy white clouds.  That color got stuck in my head for days.  It is a color, when paired with white, that seems to announce summertime!

Azure. Cerulean. Lapis Lazuli... ok, I know, too light to be Lapis but that name is lilting and magical, and I just had to use it.  

I have been collecting, noting, snapping photos of this color everywhere...

Bright and playful in a park.

Making a lively theater ensemble.

even an ordinary hydrant becomes charming.

and a fabulous garage tucked away just leapt out at me.

Not sure yet how I will be using this color, but it is certain to show up in something new as it swirls in and around me.

Purple Hydrangea

"Purple Hydrangea", watercolor on paper, 8x10, copyright Erin Rogers Pickering

Our area is a riot of color with the Hydrangeas in bloom!  
Lush, abundant, heavy with color and petals, they are spectacular.
Truly a feast for the eyes.
I love June in New Jersey!