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!

Wildfire

"Wildfire" watercolor on paper, 8x10, copyright Erin Rogers Pickering

Wildfire, my newest watercolor, and I was singing the song from 1975, the entire time I was painting - which certainly influenced the intensity of color!  The more the song looped the more vivid she became.

That amazing, glossy coat like fire in the late day sun.  The more orange, gold, and reds I used - the more I could deepen the shadows with eggplant and aubergine (which beg to be used because both their hues and names are so wonderful!)

I captured her energy just in that moment before she bolted - and ran wildly, happily free!

Upcoming Watercolor Workshop - playing with paint

Evergreen, watercolor sketch, copyright Erin Rogers Pickering

My  little girl loves "water painting" with me!  We go through stacks of copy paper painting, experimenting, doodling, mixing colors and playing... okay, we both love it!  :)

Last week while painting with her I took out my Strathmore watercolor cards so I could 'play' a little more seriously.  I am starting to prep for a watercolor workshop on Jan 29th at Gerayln's Art Studio, and wanted to try out some salt techniques.  So using her crayola pan paints and some wacky, bent up bristle brush I tried out the salt on my tree.

Now, I love my Windsor & Newton series 7 brushes and my holbein tube watercolor paints (never giving them up!)... but I was impressed that I got decent results with kiddie brushes and paints because I had good paper.

And, she was super excited, and felt very grown up, to get to paint on Mommy's cards!


“When we engage in what we are naturally suited to do, our work takes on the quality of play and it is play that stimulates creativity.” – Linda Naiman

For details on playing with watercolors at my workshop check out Maplewood Patch. 

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
Marie Antoinette Style Cotto... PoshFairytaleC... $100.00	Marie Antoinette Decorated S... ProfMaelstromm... $112.00	Marie Antoinette Rococo Shoe... eringopaint $25.00
Sparkle Fantasy Marie Antoin... RomanticThread... $1250.00	Full Marie Antoinette Costum... mdalejohnson $300.00	Marie Antoinette Pink Fluffy... Oliviasromanti... $24.00
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.

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.

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.

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.