A Conversation with my Youngest Art Collector

 "Mothers... Past, Present, Future", watercolor and charcoal on paper, copyright Erin Rogers Pickering

Last night I met with a collector who was purchasing "Mothers... Past, Present, Future" and my 8 year daughter was along for the meeting. She listened to our conversation about art, Moms, parenting, loss, life and age-old friendships. She also watched me like a hawk when she saw me tear up as we were saying goodbye - to the collector and to the piece.
"Mom, how can you sell a painting you love if it makes you sad to let it leave?"

I explained that is was my job to create art and release it to the world. And, that I wasn't truly sad, since I was thrilled it was being purchased, but that is never easy to let a favorite go. But, if my art has deep meaning to me, then it probably will to others. So the more emotional or connected I feel to a piece, the more others will be too. The bottom line really is if I can sell my art, then I can keep painting.  

This morning she was in my studio studying the Vintage Lavender Dress painting, yet again.

"Mom, if I had enough money would you sell me this one? I love it, but I do not want to make you sad."  
As my heart swelled with love, so did my eyes with tears.

I am hanging it in her room today - and the original is hers forever! 

Custom Dress Painting

 My wedding gown has been in a box, in the back of a closet for the last 10 years. Maybe someday my daughter will wear it, but not sure how many times that actually works.  I have tons of lovely photos of our wedding but I still want to create a special painted keepsake. Something I could have on the wall in my bedroom or studio to see - and appreciate.  This dress below is not actually my gown, but it is one I designed based on vintage dresses.  I still need to get to my gown!

Custom Wedding Dress Painting, 8x10, watercolor on paper

Just like I need to get going on my daughter's communion dress - her date is coming up fast.  It will be her surprise gift (a hint of it was greeted by screeches of joy!)  So I am guessing it will be a hit.

I did this pair of paintings for a family with twin and I can't wait to hear what the girls think. So while I am in the flow, I will get hers started today! 

Mother's Day, 3 Generations

"3 Generations... Maiden, Mother, Crone" 

watercolor & charcoal on paper, 16x20, copyright Erin Rogers Pickering

Vintage dress forms, elegant in their faded beauty holding the spirit and the story of all the women they helped dress.

Wishing everyone a Happy Mother's Day... past, present and future mothers!

Art Opening Reception "Shadows of the Past"

I am so happy to announce my one woman show at Gallery 103 - opening reception on Friday, April 4th, 6:30 - 8:30pm. 103 Baker Street, Maplewood, NJ, 07040.  

I have been in a painting frenzy with ideas coming fast and furious for the last few months... and now it is coming together and coming to life!

Here is a brief description of the show to fill you in on the thought behind the art...

From early childhood I was fascinated with old movies and period piece costuming.  One of the highlights while studying Fashion Design at FIT was going behind the closed doors of their costume museum for an up-close presentation of 80-100+ year old lingerie and sleepwear.  Creating this series “Shadows of the Past” gave me the chance to re-visit that love and dwell in a world of antique clothing, past memories, and my own creative process.

I started with the dress and corset pieces, which opened the door for all the dress mannequin paintings - which arrived fully painted in my imagination. It was a matter of sitting down and allowing them to come through me.  These pieces asked (demanded) to be painted.  Like a crowd of people waiting, jostling, pushing to get through a narrow doorway – the images needed me to let them through, using my hand to come to life. The best I can describe the process... it was as if I was painting my ghosts, my ancestors, the spirits of my past.

Many of the paintings are lighter and softer in color than I am used to working, adding to the sense that they are a memory which passed through leaving an imprint on the paper.

Through this collection I am not only exposing the “unmentionables” and the ghosts in my own attic, but have also 'exposed' my artistic process.  Included are pieces taken right out of my sketchbook, and in many paintings the underlying drawings are in charcoal showing the bones of the work. 

The mannequins stand silently telling their story, a reminder of our link to the past.

Hope you can join us at the opening reception!

Finding What Makes You Happy

My sketchbook makes me happy.
to work on it
to flip through it
and to catch glimpses of it... all makes me happy!

So I put this practice tile by the kitchen sink with my "possibility' stone.  An uplifting daily reminder.

and I leave my sketchbook out in different locations each day so I can see it when I am not expecting to.  And that peek can turn my day around.

The coasters that I hand draw, paint, letter and stamp are like an extension of my sketchbook, lovely 4" squares of sketchbook stone possibility - and I am loving the process of working on them!

As I dig to discover what about my sketches brings me joy I realize...

it represents freedom, acceptance, fun, courage, exploration, comfort, confidence, abundance, satisfaction, contentment.

All that with a little paper, ink and paint.

I've learned that my sketchbook packs a powerful punch.

Friday Inspiration

This says it all!

Gentle Reminders

I have this collection on the windowsill at my kitchen sink.
A shell from my favorite place, the beach
A rock printed with my favorite quote
And a tile coaster I hand sketched

A sweet, small collection that I see daily, no matter what craziness is going on - seeing this bring me joy, peace and hope! 
Everytime.