Looking for Sunshine, Daily Sketch

Day 6 of grey skies. We left summer behind and it seems the sun went with it.  Drags me down when we go this many days in a row without sunshine. Without brightness and sparkling light.  

The smoky cast over everything, the dark mornings,  the misty colorless afternoons.  It starts to wear on me when there is no sun to break it up.
So yesterday's drawing prompt for the sketch group I lead, was to draw something yellow. Look around and find something sunshiny- yellow!  Hoping that maybe as a group we could conjure the sun. And feel it's warmth by focusing and drawing yellow.

During my morning run a bright yellow leaf appeared along a stretch road that was all rust and grey and brown.  She stood out like a beacon of brightness, I knew then what I was going to sketch as I scooped her up.  Yes, she as this leaf had personality, it called out to me, and made me feel bright and happy and sunny.

For the rest of the run dozens of other yellow leaves stood out brightly - begging to be included.  By the time I arrived at home, I was carrying a bouquet of sunshine. 



You can see my more of my work in my Etsy shop Erin Go Paint. Or check out my recent 100 Day Project on Instagram

Zinnias in Bloom

About 6 weeks ago I stumbled upon zinnia seeds on clearance and couldn't resist them. I knew it was really past their planting season but I bought the box anyway. I had just delivered a house portrait to a client and was captivated by the home directly across the street - with hundreds of zinnias in bloom.
Besides, I couldn't pass up a big box of seed for only 50 cents!  I figured there was enough time before the late fall frost to at least see some bloom.  
That evening my husband came home from work with the same box of seeds!  
Not just more zinnia seeds - but the identical box!

We were clearly of like mind that day so had to check the meaning and symbolism of zinnias and found out they have several meanings including: of the heart, lasting affection, and daily remembrance.
Very apropos!
It is also believed to mean joyous endurance - happy to bloom in the broiling heat of summer. My seeds survived a super hot and dry summer, and even with Fall right around the corner we have lots of joyous buds opening this week! They were my inspiration for my daily watercolor illustration.
Next spring I will be sure to plant loads of them so we can enjoy them all summer long.

You can see my more of my work in my Etsy shop Erin Go Paint.
Or check out my recent 100 Day Project on Instagram

 

Daily Drawing - ginger root

"You can't do sketches enough. Sketch everything and keep your curiosity fresh."   ~John Singer Sargent


May your curiosity, and your ginger, always be fresh!  
Love the knobby, woody crazy shapes of ginger roots.  
Oh, and that divine aroma.
The best cure for the stomach that ails you.

To view my online portfolio visit ErinRogersPickering.com
To view my shop please visit Erin Go Paint 

Sketch Course set for Jan Feb 2016

Regular/daily sketching is a challenge for professional artists, beginners and everyone in between - and yet it is the most recommended practice to: 

Improve your skills

Develop greater focus 

Sharpen observational skills

Experiment with new ideas/concepts.

The First Sketch course of 2016 has been scheduled for the following dates:
Tues Jan 12
Tues Jan 26
Tues Feb  9
Tues Feb 23

7:00 pm - 8:30pm

At Geralyn's Art Studio, 103 Baker Street, Maplewood NJ 07040.

Details:

All levels welcome as everyone will work at their own pace/level.

$50 per person for a total of 4 sessions over a period of 8 weeks

Sketch from life, objects, people at meetings with Drawing exercises at each meeting

Sketch ideas and drawing prompt emails will be emailed every 3 or 4 days to help keep you going.

Shared creative environment

Accountability to help keep you sketching

Encourages daily sketching from life and observation

We are working on securing a clothed model for for two sessions - there will be additional model fee of $5.

Sketchers acquire all their own supplies (small portable sketchbook, pencil, a permanent marker, and a small travel watercolor set if you are interested in watercolor sketches). Choose a sketchbook that is easy to keep with you daily.

Facebook group page for members to share their sketches in between meetings.

To register contact Geralyn's Art Studio at 973-275-1966
Payment will need to be made in advance to reserve your space.  

There is a maximum of 14 students for this course.

To view more of my work online visit my portfolio

and my online shop ErinGoPaint

Sketching Club Course

Regular/daily sketching is a challenge for professional artists, beginners and everyone in between - and yet it is the most recommended practice to: 

Improve your skills

Develop greater focus 

Sharpen observational skills

Experiment with new ideas/concepts.

The Sketch Group course will run on 3 Tuesday evenings (and 1 Wed evening), starting on Nov 3rd, 7-9pm, as follows: 
Tues Nov 3 
Wed Nov 18
Tues Dec 1 
Tues Dec 15
At Geralyn's Art Studio, 103 Baker Street, Maplewood NJ 07040.

Details:

All levels welcome as everyone will works at their own pace/level.

4 sessions over a period of 8 weeks

Sketch from life, objects, people at meetings with Drawings exercises at each meeting

Daily emails of sketch idea that will also serve as your sketch reminder. 

Shared creative environment, and accountability.

Encourages daily sketching from life and observation

$48 per person for a total of 4 sessions

Sketchers acquire all their own supplies (small portable sketchbook, pencil, a permanent marker, and a small travel watercolor set if you are interested in watercolor sketches)

Pinterest group page for members to post their sketches in between meetings, and for sketch idea prompts.

Any questions just let me know.

To register contact Geralyn's Art Studio at 973-275-1966
Payment will need to be made in advance to reserve your space.

Summer Camping

Recently we returned from a beautiful fun-filled camping trip.

It's been a crazy summer with too much going on and I hadn't really felt relaxed since school got out.

But put me in the mountains with...

Chilly mornings

Warm sunny afternoons by the pool

Cold evenings by the campfire toasting marshmallows

Full bodied red wine (yes, red wine even while camping)And I actually started to unwind! 
Because there is nothing quite like being in the mountains. (except maybe being at the beach, but that's a story for another day)

While there I went for an early morning run with breezes in the dense leaves, laughter of kids on bikes in their pajamas, scents of bacon cooking on open fires, coffee brewing in the open air, early campfires lit to chase the morning chill..  and I finally hit my stride. Literally.

Summer Sketchbook, "Leaves", watercolor and ink, Erin Rogers Pickering


Relaxed, calm, happy, totally chill and feeling wonderful.

Summer Sketchbook, "Leaves with Patterns", watercolor and ink, Erin Rogers Pickering

As I was finishing up my run a leaf fell right in my path.

One perfect orange and yellow Autumn leaf.

The first sign of fall - and just as I was hitting my summer stride.