While in Palm Springs...

Desert Palms (Watercolor, 9x12")

I am always inspired by palm trees.  They stand so tall, so strong, so solid...yet appearing to be fragile in so many ways.  A wise friend said to me about a month ago, "You just gotta force yourself, Erico.  You need to grab your art supplies, lock yourself in a studio or a place you can work...and just do it!"  Thanks, Renee Bebeau.  I did this on my last full day in Palm Springs ... out in the sun.  -Erico

Circles....and circles

Circle Tree (acrylic on wood, 12x24")

Interesting how ideas develop in one's mind and then become something so very different than what was originally imagined.

Doodling with color....

Sunburst (acrylics, 6x6") October 2015

Orange Mountain (acrylics, 6x6") October 2015

Silent Auctions...

Blue Cross (acrylic, 16x20")

Reach (acrylic, 16x20")

I am asked regularly to contribute to fundraisers.  Blue Cross was created for the silent auction to be held next week during the St. Francis of Assisi Parish Golf Outing.  Reach was created for the silent auction to be held at UW-Milwaukee's PALM fundraiser event in early October, raising scholarship monies for students.  Sometimes it's the giving of one's small talents that really can make a difference.  I'm happy to do my part.  -Erico

Sometimes the pain is too much to bear..

"Between a Rock and a Hard Place" (watercolor, 11x8) July 12, 2015

"Blind Ignorance" (watercolor, 11x8) July 13, 2015

"Enough" (watercolor, 11x8) July 15, 2015

Music is....

"Music is the Outburst of the Soul" (watercolor, 8x11) June 28, 2015

Inspired by Pedro Rubalcava's comments at the Hispanic Pastoral Musicians Conference in Las Cruces, New Mexico, I saw this sort of image in my mind as he stated what is now the title of this piece.  I am pleased that I went with vivid colors.  I love the ethnic quality of the vessel.  This piece makes me smile.  -Erico

More Fun With Faces...

Choral Response...

"Choral Response"  (acrylics, 24"x48")  April 2015

Created for my "Water Matters...and Other Matters" exhibit at the Italian Community Center, during Gallery Night/Day, April 17-18.

Latest donation to a cause...

"Spring!" (acrylics, 12x24") Apr 2015

Created for and donated to LaCausa for their Respite Care Center fundraising event to be held this weekend.  I hope it brings some good funds to the center.  -Erico

"Water Matters...and Other Matters" 

I am pleased to have an exhibit of my newest collection of paintings at the Itaian Community Center during Spring Gallery Night & Day in Milwaukee's Historic Third Ward.  I am proud of this collection because it has taken me out of my comfort zone over the past few months of preparation.  The title has two distinct meanings....well, maybe it's threefold...in that these paintings are predominantly watercolor paintings,  That's a first for me!  And the subject matter of many of them is water...and tropical waters...and water frolics.  But other subject matter crept into this collection of paintings.  I hope others will take to it kindly.

Also, I was asked earlier this month to contribute to a group exhibit entitled Spiritual Imagery in America: 20th Century Art and Craft at the UW-Sheboygan Fine Arts Gallery.

This exhibit opened in conjunction with the theatrical production of The Trial of Judas Iscariot and remains on display during the mont of April.

Spring has been busy!   -Erico

Interview?  Me?  Really?  

Sometimes what was perceived as a one-time project takes on its own momentum and becomes something more than what I had anticipated.  Such is the case with the book I published for the Sheboygan Visual Artists and the Mead Library Poetry Circle:  MAKING IT SPEAK: POETS & ARTISTS IN CAHOOTS!  

I was asked to participate in an interview by The Library as Incubator Project. There was definite interest in the art/poetry book but also in my relationship with libraries.  It was quite an enlightening interview... and made me think about something that had never crossed my mind before:  I think there would be a great deal of mutual benefit if libraries housed some sort of creativity center.  The possibilities of that sort of environment would be quite inspiring for a person like me.  This is the link to the article.  I welcome any comments and feedback.  -Erico 

http://www.libraryasincubatorproject.org/?p=16271

More watercolor fun...

                                  

I'm so intrigued by this medium, suddenly.  And it's proving to be a lot of fun creating images... especially faces, which I never felt comfortable doing.  Let's see where this leads.  -Erico

Strong, yet simple!

"The Palms"  (watercolor, 2014)

I was so inspired by the strength and beauty of the tall palms in San Maarten!  Simple, solid, strong, and self-controlled.  But in my mind, I see them as delicate and streamlined.  Their beauty inspires...and challenges.  -Erico

San Maarten...what a vacation!

Divi Resort

     

Shells

Upper pool

                    

Untouchable

The Palms

Under the Sea

A great stay at Divi Little Bay Resort in San Maarten... and a great opportunity to play with watercolor.