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!

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!

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!

Fairy Dreams

"Fairy Dreams". watercolor and ink on paper, 8x10, copyright Erin Rogers Pickering

What do you see in the shadows?

Hold fast to your dreams - and your imagination!