Celebrating National Adoption Day

In honor of National Adoption Day all art prints and cards in my Etsy shop are 25% off now through Monday November 25th.
Use coupon code 4EVERLOVE25

Wishing everyone a beautiful weekend!

Mantle Monday - Ready for Halloween!

Preparing for Halloween, my 7 year old helped me decorate the mantle this weekend, or maybe I was helping her.  Based on her pumpkin snowman, I believe she may already have Christmas on her mind!!

Some produce from the farm stand, a piece of Mommy's art, a sparkling orange and black boa, and of course a little bit of self-adhesive bling!  And the Vampire Queen is happy! and the rock star, and Cleopatra (depending on the event).

Happy Halloween!

Sketching Romaine

"romaine lettuce studies" watercolor sketch 9"x12"

As I struggle through an allergic haze today, precious little has been accomplished!  And, in passing moments of clarity I am frustrated by this as I have a pile of art assignments needing my time and attention.

So instead of staring blankly at a wall (or FB) I cracked open my trusty sketchbook and painted before I ate lunch... focusing on the romaine leaves as they were an infinitely more interesting subject than the tuna salad!  

Happily, this shook me out of my haze long enough to get a few things done.

Monday Inspiration - Black Eye Susan's in the Sunshine

"Just living is not enough... one must have sunshine, freedom, and a little flower."
Hans Christian Andersen 

Granny's Summer House memories

"Granny's Cottage Door", acrylic on canvas, copyright Erin Rogers Pickering

When I was a child both of my Grandmother's had cottages in beach communities. I absolutely loved visiting them. I adored the freedom of the indoor and outdoor blending together... Evenings on the porch or in the yard, kids free to roam, wooden screen door banging as we ran in and out, and most especially the sunrise walks with my Grandmother through the neighborhood. Before anyone else woke, just me and her, in our pajamas (so exciting to go out and about in pajamas!). Together we enjoyed the quiet, peacefulness of those early mornings, strolling and holding hands. 

I was inspired by those memories to create this painting, and enjoyed the thoughts of my grandmother as I painted, and relived those special moments.

Happy Hour Painting - Next class Thursday June 27th

A relaxing and fun environment to tap into your creative side! 

It's a BYOB painting party with step-by-step instruction and demonstration as we go, and everyone will be able to complete a finished 14x18 painting during the 2 hour class.

Bring your favorite bottle of wine or beverage of choice - and we supply all the necessary painting supplies, step-by-step instruction, and encouraging guidance.
All levels are welcome.

No experience necessary!

The next class is Thursday June 27th.

We encourage everyone to arrive by 7:15 so we can start right at 7:30.

We ask that you reserve a spot in advance at Geralyn's Art Studio or by calling Geralyn's Art Studio at 973-275-1966.   Class size is small, a maximum of 10, so everyone gets personal assistance.  
And everyone leaves with a finished canvas!

Geralyn's Art Studio in Maplewood, 103 Baker Street.

Hope to see you there!

Custom House Portraits in Watercolor

Nothing quite like the feeling of home - your home!  And a house you have been in for years, and created memories in, becomes part of the family and your history.

Custom house portraits make a very special gift for an anniversary, moving, new home, birthday.

Let me know if I can capture a piece of your history - and a create a painting that can be handed down in the family.

Zebra - Looking for a Good Home

"Zebra in Lavender", 24"x24", acrylic on canvas, copyright Erin Rogers Pickering

Wanted: A good home for a peaceful Zebra
She's quiet.
Clean.
Majestic. 
Respectful if shown respect.
And will bring a peaceful feeling to any room she is in.

At 24"x24" she is large enough to make a statement, but small enough to fill the perfect wall.

Is there room in your life for some wildlife?

The "Boudoir" wall

The Boudoir Wall for The SOMA Studio Tour

Sunday June 2nd 2013

"Historically, the boudoir formed part of the private suite of rooms of a lady, for bathing and dressing, adjacent to her bedchamber, being the female equivalent of the male cabinet. In later periods, the boudoir was used as a private drawing room, and was used for other activities, such as embroidery or spending time with one's romantic partner"

Wikipedia

Zebra in Violet

"Zebra in Violet" acrylic on canvas, 24"x 24", copyright Erin Rogers Pickering

Counting down the final days to the SOMA Studio Tour and starting to hang paintings all over the house.  Every wall will have something... thank goodness for 3M Command Strips!

I just finished "Zebra in Violet" and she will get the place of honor over the fireplace.

TEN: The Soul of SOMA

This year marks the 10th Anniversary of the South Orange Maplewood Artists Studio Tour.   All the artists were invited to create a 10" x 10" piece to commemorate the anniversary. Last evening was the opening of the exhibition at The Baird in South Orange. 
You can find the schedule for TEN: The Soul of SOMA on the Baird Arts Facebook page.
Here are a few photos from the exhibition.

Under dressed, Studio Tour Sneak peek

Just 10 days until the SOMA Studio Tour and the paint is still flying in my studio!  I will run out of time before I run out of ideas and inspiration!  
And, for that I am grateful.

"Under dressed" acrylic on canvas, 12"x24", copyright Erin Rogers Pickering

I finished the corseted lady yesterday.  She is ready to join the other on the wall, even if she is a little scantily clad!
And, you can see a small slice of the shy zebra still in progess, hiding behind her.

The Unpredictable Muse

"Sisters", acrylic on canvas, 12"x24", copyright Erin Rogers Pickering

It's funny, though I shouldn't be at all surprised, but I had planned to paint a large series of paintings inspired by the Mississippi Delta Blues, music that moves me beyond words.  And, is my go-to music now matter what I am painting.

But, don't you know... my Muse had other ideas.  Every time I meditated or ran, the paintings that kept asking or rather demanding, to be painted were dress forms.  

I am not sure I can get them all done by the Studio Tour, June 2nd, but am surely being guided (pushed) by a source larger than me.  I have learned not to fight inspiration... and to let it take me where I belong...

"Tea with the Ancestors", 10"x10", watercolor on paper, copyright Erin Rogers Pickering

So, my studio has it's fair share of dress forms waiting to be unveiled. And they make me very happy. 

I am just glad they are on canvas and paper, and not actual forms on stands - otherwise there would be no room in here for me!!

SOMA Studio Tour 2013 Interview

Here is my interview for the South Orange/Maplewood Studio Artist Tour which will take place on Sunday June 2nd.  With over 70 artists showing throughout the 2 towns both in public/group spaces and in the home studios.

Sure to be an amazing and inspiring day.

Joan of Arc

Joan of Arc... Brave. Strong. Confident. 
Intelligent. Valiant. Courageous.

And, Steadfast in her Beliefs.

Qualities to instill and encourage in our girls!

Into the Canyon

"Into the Canyon" acrylic on canvas, 12x12, copyright Erin Rogers Pickering

About 12 years ago when the need to paint became a steady roar inside of me. A roar that I could no longer ignore in pursuit of "more worthwhile" activities and career choices... I saw or rather felt a vision - a series of paintings that I needed to create. Something I needed to bring to life.
Persistently calling me, they were so very distant.  I told my boyfriend (who is now my husband) that I felt as if I was standing on one side of the Grand Canyon, and this soul-searching series of art that was begging to be created, was on the other side of the Canyon. 
Miles and miles away. 
With the most enormously deep and wide space between me and  my soul vision - the place I was supposed to be.
Greatly frustrated, I didn't know how to get there.  

"Yes, you do.  You need to go into the canyon. You need to paint your way through. There's no other way." (there's a reason he is now my husband)

And, so I went in a bit, came back out. Tentatively, in and out a few times.  Skirted and thoroughly explored the edges and trails on this side. The side I knew. For a while I set up camp - watching and keeping and eye on the distant place I would eventually need to travel to.

Now, it is time.
I am going in!
I would say 'Wish me luck', but I don't need it.  I've got my paints, my imagination, and faith. 

Joan of Arc Illustration in progress

When I mentioned to my husband that I was going to illustrate another Pixie this week, he challenged me to "think outside the box."  He wanted to see me go beyond the expected, the mainstream, and push myself and my ideas.

This is a sneak peek of Joan of Arc in progress.  I love her!

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.