What to wear... while last minute Christmas shopping

You'll be ready for Santa in cute little booties of holly and sleigh bells!  Making music while you walk.

Early Morning Elf

Our Elf on the Shelf has basically backfired this year!


Last December our then 4-year old was all about being as well-behaved as possible because 'Lula-Belle' was watching.


This December the only behavior our elf is affecting is how early our now 5-year old wakes up!  It's ALL about seeing where she landed the night before.  So as we approach Christmas, the mornings get earlier and earlier - and earlier.  
On the bright side, I've seen some amazing sunrises recently!

What to wear... to a Holiday Tree Lighting

Blank Card 5 pc Set, the Mrs Claus Collection, copyright Erin Rogers Pickering

Stand out from the crowd - and above it - in these sky high, bright scarlet beauties!  Inspired by Nutcrackers and wooden soldiers these stiletto peep toes will keep you in Holiday style.

Christmas is Coming!

Still a month away but our 5 year old is already talking about it non-stop!  Actually she talks about Christmas year round, but now the conversation is daily!!

But, this weekend her Elf on the Shelf will make her debut appearance for the season.  And her (our elf is LulaBell) upcoming return inspired me to create this.  Painting to commence tomorrow!  No time to loose.  

Princess and the Frog - Part II

Will she kiss him?  I don't know... what do you think???

Princess and the Frog - Part I

I envisioned a Princess and the Frog illustration that would...


1. show some Tiana influence in the dress but not be a replica
2. have a cape
3. be wearing a crown
4. and a cornrow-to-beaded braids hairstyle


Actually #4 was my first requirement... since that is how I was seeing her in my imagination.  I'm super happy with the results and anxious to bring her to life with paint. 

What do you think??

What to Wear Wednesday... Spice

Variety is the spice of life.  And - so are shoes!!


Preparing to ship a large order of 11x14 prints.  They looked so bright and lively spread out on the table - they just lit up the room!  My client will be selling these as framed prints... and they will certainly light up any space.


I hung a test print of one in my studio - and am loving having it here.

What to Wear... to the French Court

Thinking of dressing up as Marie Antoinette for Halloween!  I've never done it but would love to.  All those delicious clothes, shoes, wigs would be SO much fun!

                  

'Beautiful Marie ....' by elfoto

All listings about and for beautiful and gorgeous women like Marie Antoinette :)Enjoy!

Paris French Pink Marie Masq... FrenchKissedPi... $75.00	Marie Antoinette Fantasy Gow... RomanticThread... $850.00	ECO Marie Antoinette's W... glaciermilk $169.00
French chic Marie Antoinette... VorontsovaART $4.29	Marie Antoinette - Lustre Pr... meluseena $18.00	Marie Antoinette shoes vivelareine $180.00
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Marie Antoinette - Pink Fra... Narry $3.50	Halloween Wig Marie Antoinet... TiffanyDeMiche... $205.00	Marie Antoinette Of Our Hear... artisticcorner $45.00
COTTAGE Shabby Chic Marie An... VorontsovaART $4.19

Treasury tool by Red Row Studio.

What to Wear... Leaf Peeping

These boots were made for walking - these boots were made for Autumn!  
The leaves may still be green today but before I know it the rich, warm colors will be all around. And, most especially the spectacular, and very old, sugar maple in our yard.
I'll be standing by in my boots, with rake, camera and candy corn at the ready.


Happy Fall!

Monday Inspiration - Fall Harvest, Tomatoes

Ah - tomatoes!  I look forward to the late summer, early autumn just for them.   And, I could eat them at every meal so I took this photo as soon as I could - before they were gone.  They are sneak preview of leaf colors that we will see as we move deeper into the Fall.


The colors are simply gorgeous - vivid, inspiring and bottomless.


So as with all my visual obsessions... I have to paint them.  I painted this basket of tomatoes a few years back.  And my biggest challenge was the depth and vibrancy of the color - that color goes beyond red!  I used layers and layers of glazed color, many of which were lemon yellow, to achieve the luminosity.

"Fruit of the Gods" watercolor on paper, 8x10, copyright Erin Rogers Pickering

The original painting hangs in my kitchen bringing me a vivid reminder of those stunning colors year round. 

Inspiration Monday - Quote of the week

"Thumbelina Ballerina" watercolor and ink on paper, 8x10, copyright Erin Rogers Pickering

"And the day came when the risk to remain tight in a bud was more painful than the risk it took to blossom."  ~Anais Nin

Inspiration Monday - Crayons

Crayons! 

They were my favorite as a child... I can still remember when I got my first box of 64!  with-a-built-in-sharpener AND everything!!!!  I think I felt the earth move that day!  And, how I treasured that box of umlimited possiblities.  Color galore.  Brings happy tears to my eyes.

Crayons still make me a little giddy. And, happily my 5 year old daughter loves to color and craft. We spend many an hour coloring side by side.  I with my (well, technically they are hers) crayons, her with her markers... which are her favorite. Who knows... maybe years from now she will be writing almost the same thoughts about markers! :)
I also now work out color schemes of paintings while I color with my girl.  I'll scan my black and white drawing, print out a few copies, and experiment with crayons.

When is the last time you played with crayons? grabbed a handful and went crazy with color and abandon?
Go ahead... take a fistful, take a deep breath of that glorious crayony smell --- and go create something fun and wonderful.  That's were I'm headed now....

Super Girl!

"Super Girl with Natural Hair" watercolor and ink on paper, 8x10, copyright erin rogers pickering

Super Girl... what's the source of her strength...?

Her brains


Her curiosity

Her style


Her attitude


Her amazing hair!


Guess you'll have to ask her!



Inspired by my 5 year old daughter who continues to give me terrific material to work with. Forever costumed, inventing stories and characters.


A true adventure girl!

 

What to wear Wednesday...

"Watermelon Stiletto" watercolor & ink, 5x7, copyright Erin Rogers Pickering

The Watermelon Stiletto is What to wear to this weekend's picnic.

You'll get some extra distance in the seed spitting contest perched on top of these juicy stilettos!

Good luck - and have a blast!!

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.

SOMA Artist Open Studio Tour, June 5th

Had a great day at the 2011 SOMA Studio Tour!  Lots of lovely people stopped by the house.  Will be recuperating today and packing up my yellow Gerbera Daisy for shipping to its new home.

SOMA Artist Open Studio Tour... countdown

"Sunset over Vieques", acrylic on canvas, 30x40, copyright Erin Rogers Pickering

Only 2 days to go to the SOMA Artist Open Studio Tour.  I have a list a mile long of things I still need to do.  Not the least of which is to clean the house.

And, all I really want to do is paint!  Preparing for an exhibition like this makes me take a really good look at my work. Inhabit it.  Be back in the space when I created each piece.  

It feels good. 

And it inspires me to want to create more... and more.

Though there is no time or space for painting in the final days/hours leading up to the show that is where my thoughts keep returning. So I am taking notes on what I want to work on come Monday and, I will be super charged to jump right in.

SOMA Artist Open Studio Tour, June 5th

"Zebra 3" acrylic on wood panel, 8"x8", copyright Erin Rogers Pickering

SOMA Artist Open Studio Tour, June 5th, 11am - 5pm. 

5 days and counting---  Framing, cleaning, finishing and setting up. I can't wait!

"Zebra 3" acrylic on wood panel, 8"x8", copyright Erin Rogers Pickering

Rapunzel II and the 2 strand twists

"Rapunzel II", watercolor and ink on paper, 8x10, copyright Erin Rogers Pickering

My art director (my 5yr old) on this project has pronounced her finished!  Actually screamed and squealed when she saw it!  And, she won't let me touch her with another drop of paint.  

She believes it's perfect as is.  I appreciate that!  Normally I would have to be the one who proclaims a painting complete (Ok, I always decide when its complete) but for this project I let go and followed her direction.  My gut said to go with her gut,  so the background will not be painted... and am very happy with the finished piece.  And enjoyed the process of following her direction.

The original will hang in her room, the prints are available in my etsy shop.

Rapunzel II - its all about the Hair!

Had to show her hair!  Rapunzel is obviously ALL about the hair, but once the dress is painted it may have to share the limelight. 


My daughter LOVES the hair and went crazy when she saw this stage of the painting.   The hair which was inspired by her recent 2 strand twists.  The twists took me forever to do, but I intend to keep practicing.

Rapunzel II in progress

Rapunzel II is taking shape and coming to life.  I love the stage where all is still black and white, paper and line, except the rich skin tones.  Like she's caught between fairy tale and reality.


She'll be ready for adventure soon!

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.

Sketch of the Day - Hand to Hand

"Right hand drawing right hand, drawing left hand", pencil and ink, 5x6, copyright Erin Rogers Pickering

Happily, so happily, spending the afternoon drawing.

Happy Hours!

"Luau", watercolor & ink, 10x4, copyright Erin Rogers Pickering

A string of gorgeous sunny spring days has brought about lovely afternoons and evenings out on the deck. Nothing quite like an adirondack chair and an icy cocktail to inspire thoughts of a tropical vacation, and the many happy hours of summer to come!... 

Sketch of the Day - Gerbera Girl

My flower among flowers.

I was photographing a fresh bouquet and she wanted to be part of the action, so put on her petal headband. She posed and preened for the camera.  Then, I caught her in a rare quiet and reflective moment, unaaware of me and the lens - and captivated by the blooming color around her.