Connect With Me

To contact me directly, please send an e-mail to: erikaleesears@gmail.com or you can reach me by phone at: 503-332-2080.

Below are my latest contributions to the online world through my blog postings and tweets.

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• Blogged: Day 10- At Sea posted: 2 days ago.

  Eat/Drink/Eat/Drink/Pool/Nap/Eat/Drink/Sleep/

  
  

  

  This pic is from some island early in the morning :) Can you imagine living here?
  

  
  

  Early to rise on the cruise ship- before the crowds show up and you can get a good place by the pool.
  

  
  

  
  
  Here is a little clip to show the dining room- very Titanic.
  
  PS If you are reading this on my facebook- and you can't see the video. You have to go directly to my blog
  

• Blogged: Day 9- Sicily posted: 3 days ago.

  Consumed: 1 pistachio cannelloni, 1 large plate of pasta with crème and prosciutto, 1 large glass of red wine. 1 lemon granita-
  
  Ahhh Sicily- wish I could have seen more and eaten more. We only had about a 3 hour window to stroll the streets and climb to the top of an theater and be amazed at the view.
  
  We did find an incredible place for lunch which was a total priority. I think this was Tim's favorite place that we stopped. We wish we could have stayed longer. The town had little streets and everything was gorgeous.

  

• Blogged: Day 8- All Aboard! posted: 4 days ago.

  Consumed: 1 cappuccino, 1 croissant. - I am not going to put what I ate on the boat because I don’t want to embarrass myself on all the French fry runs and all you can eat ice cream stops. They say that the average cruiser gains 5-10 pounds on a week long cruise.
  We took a train from Roma to the coast Civitavecchia and already started meeting fellow Americans headed for the cruise the ship.

  Being on a cruise ship is like summer camp meets Las Vegas. There is a printed out itinerary every day and there are announcements over the loud speaker and he would give the weather report and always say- it's going to be Sunny! Sunny Sunny! There is a champagne bar, a pub, sports bar, pirate bar, a martini bar, a casino, a movie theater, an ice rink, a rock wall, a basketball court, mini golf (I whooped Tim shamelessly at mini golf), a gym, 2 pools, 5-6 hot tubs, an espresso cafe, all you can eat buffet almost all day, 4 calling birds, 3 french hens, 2 turtle doves, and a partridge in a pare tree.

  

• Blogged: Day 7- Last day in Roma posted: 5 days ago.

  Consumed: 1 Croissant, 1 café latte, 3 beers, 1 shot of sambuko (not my idea- the Italian waiter’s idea) 2 plates of pasta with Italian white sauce, 1 caprese salad, grilled chicken with French fries, 1 coca cola light, 1 fanta. 1 tiramisu - I know I need to be thinking about making sure I eat my vegetables.
  
  
  We saw the Parthenon today- were Raphael was buried. I think the most interesting thing about the Parthenon was the fact that when the Parthenon was built, there was no record of why it was built. I immediately thought secret society- maybe I’ve read too many Anne Rice or Twilight books. :)
  
  
  We walked and walked- our last day in Rome. Dropped coins in the Trevi Fountain and strolled the streets of old Rome. They say if you put a coin in the fountain- you will return to Rome.
  
  My only regret? Not eating more gelato.
  
  PS- if you are reading this on my facebook note- you have to go to my blog to watch the videos I have been posting.
  
  Just click here

  

• Blogged: Day 6-Roma posted: 6 days ago.

  Consumed: 2 café latte, 1 chocolate croissant, Split a bottle of Wine, cheese ravioli with butternut squash Italian sauce, Salami Plate, 2 beers, 1 coca cola light, 1 plate of spaghetti with prosciutto and crème sauce. 1 tiramisu- MMM pig pig pig … I know.
  
  
  We went to the Coliseum and it was huge- largest amphi theater in the world. So guess what happened? Of course I had to trip and fall and skin my knees in front of a large group of tourists. As I was falling I could hear the large OOOOOO from the crowd. I was fine, but all Tim could say was that do you know you shed blood where others thousands of years ago shed blood. I was suddenly inspired to watch the movie Gladiator all over again- who knew movies could be educational?
  
  Check out these sculptures outside of Rome's Museum of Modern Art or the Galleria Nazionale d'Arte Moderna. We went by and it was closed.

  

• Blogged: Day 5- The Vatican posted: 9 days ago.
  
  
  
  
  Consumed: 1 Café Latte, 1 pastry with chocolate in the middle, 1 coconut gelato, 1 orange crème gelato, 1 glass of champagne, 1 pizza with buffalo mozzarella, - I think I am eating less in Italy.

  The Vatican was beautiful… a strange quiet power. I think the most interesting part about seeing the Vatican was seeing all of the young nuns and priests. I can’t even imagine devoting yourself to something so early in life- its admirable but I had no clue about life when I was 20.

  In the Vatican Museum there are the old sections and the modern sections. It made me wonder how they rotated the collection and what’s exactly in the vault. The best thing about the museum was that at one point the Vatican decided to cover up the naked statues privates with little leaves.

  
  Did I mention Rome was Hot? I can see why people don't travel to Rome in the summer. The Vatican had these big fountains in the front and swear they looked like an Oasis. :)

  
  

  

• Blogged: Day 4- Italy- Welcome to Roma posted: 10 days ago.

  Consumed- 1 Café Crème, 1 croissant, prosucitto plate with buffalo mozzarella, 1 quatro fromagge pizza, 1 large glass of wine- we were traveling today and not much time to eat.

  I was a little sad to see Paris end- I felt like I didn’t eat enough or see enough. Hopefully we will be able to get back soon.

  We spent most of the day traveling- but did check out the Spanish steps and it was covered in tourists. Who knew everyone traveled to Italy in the summer time?

  

• Blogged: Day 3- Last day in Paris posted: 11 days ago.

  Consumed- 2 café crème, 1 pizza pastry type croissant, 1 salami baguette with butter, 1 coca cola light, 2 servings of steak with yummy French sauce, 2 servings of frits, 1 ice cream with coconut and chocolate. - Yum yum!- a little sad I didn’t have a macaroon and no croque mesuers. I couldn’t possibly eat everything in Paris could I?
  We went to Musee d'orsay- AMAZING. I wish we could have spent more time mulling around but the museum was packed. They have quite a collection of Van Gogh, Degas, Matisse, Monet, Rodin- and much much more. I think the painting that made the museum visit for me and I am going to be cliché and it's the self portrait of Vincent Van Gogh.
  

  
  
  
  
  
  
  I have been to MOMA in New York and have seen Starry Night, and I was disappointed. The self portrait took my breath away because it made him look as creepy and eerie as I think he probably was. I think one of my favorite things about enjoying a painting is when I can change my mind about a painting or an artist- because I just get it.
  
  Also something really neat, is that Paris is making some of the old into something , modern. This sculpture has been refitted with- yes a light saber. Pretty awesome. :)
  
  
  

• Blogged: Day 2- Paris posted: 12 days ago.

  
  

  
  
  
  Consumed- 1 chocolate croissant, cheese plate, 1 café crème, 1 orange fanta, 1 baguette with salami and butter, chicken with a curry sauce, 1 glass of rose champagne, 1 glass of red wine, 1 scoop of chocolate and 1 scoop of pistachio ice cream fromBerthellion . MMMM- jealous yet?
  
  Today was Eiffel Tower Day and we decided to go early because we wanted to beat the crowds. There are two levels of the Eiffel Tower- and we decided to go to the tippity top. I am deathly afraid of heights and when we got to the very top- I held on for dear life. There is even a bar up there, but I lasted maybe 10 minutes clutching to the center pole and sweating, before I had enough.
  
  There are a ton of beautiful bridges in Paris, including pedestrian only bridges. Many local Parisians will set up a picnic around sunset time and watch the sun go down. The funny thing about this bridge was there were a ton of locks in the links of the fence. If you are in love and you put a lock on the bridge then your love can never be broken. Romantic isn’t it? - only in Paris.
  
  
  
  
  

• Blogged: Day 1- Welcome to Paris posted: 13 days ago.

  

  
  
  Consumed: 1 ham/cheese/egg crepe, 1 café crème, baguette with sausage and butter, 1 coca cola light, 1 star bucks iced tea, 1 chocolate croissant, escargot, duck with some French sauce, 2 beers, a couple glasses of house red wine. - fine I am a pig. haha
  
  
  Tim and I thought it was a bright idea to try and combat the time change before we go to Paris- since Portland to Paris is about a 9 hour time change. We go to bed at 9 pm our time and wake up 3 am and our flight is at 8 am and we arrive in Paris the following day at 7 am Paris time. We would only sleep part of the way and wake up bright and fresh in Paris. Well I ended up only getting about 45 minutes of sleep and Tim got maybe an hour… all I could think about was sleep. Tim kept telling me that is like pulling an all night-er in college. Since when was pulling an all night-er in college fun?
  
  To put it simply- Paris was beautiful. We went to the Louvre and it was free day which meant the museum was packed. We made a bee line for the Mona Lisa- which was surrounded by about 4 feet of on lookers. Her curious smile and her eyes staring directly at me- everything I had hoped. I can honestly say the painting was more moving in person, and I was a little skeptical.
  
  
  Recommendations: Take a nap and everyone speaks in English.
  
  
  

• Blogged: Bonjour posted: 2 months ago.

  
  Tomorrow! Exit 21. I am the featured artist for June. Also I have 5 paintings in Herstory at Olympic Mills curated by Portland City Art. Trying to get as much painting in before I leave for Paris :). I am thinking about doing Gouache studies while I am there. Is it weird if I wear a beret in France?

  

• Blogged: June and Paris posted: 3 months ago.
  I can not believe that it's almost, June. It seems like winter and spring just simply flew by. I am stuck on these urbanscapes and I can't stop painting them!
  
  
  
  I am on a 45 day count down, until we leave for Paris. Woohoo! I have been attempting to practice my horrible French and I am probably going to embarrass myself. Tim said we could buy a little bit of art while we are in France :). He loves mixed media work, and I am a sucker for classic painting.
  
  Happy Memorial Day weekend, everyone :)
  
  

• Blogged: Herb and Dorothy posted: 3 months ago.

  
  
  Recently I watched a documentary called Herb and Dorothy. The film is about a couple of collectors which one is a librarian and the other a postal worker and it's about how they built their art collection in New York City. I think what I enjoyed most about the film, was that there is this seemingly average couple and watching their journey into the art world and collecting. They didn't just obsessively collect, but they meet the artists, visited studios, and went to gallery openings. It's also funny seeing their tiny apartment with cats and turtles and how its just stuffed with just art.

  
  
  I think the thing that I related to the most, was that I always love to look at work and see how work is made and enjoy the story of how something is made, since I to am obsessed with making things myself. It also reminds me that it is important to make something. The movie is on Netflix, instant watch :), in case anyone wants to watch it.

  
  

  
  

  
  
  

• Blogged: You better work! posted: 4 months ago.

  
  
  I have been going to several estate sales and the estate auctions which some what close to my house and as always I always come home with treasures. :) Well my husband told me that I need to stop coming home with junk! So now I have to fix up the furniture I picked up and I am hoping (actually praying) that everything turns out- so that I can continue to get more junk. I know that I am not a crafty gal but I can try. Does anyone have any good pointers on getting rust out of metal? The first thing that I am going to attempt to fix is this beautiful old chair- and I know to the naked eye you can't see the charm, but it was a dollar and I think there's something special to this chair.
  
  I am also knee deep in my work- getting ready for some summer shows. I will be at May, first Thursday in the Pearl. June, I am going to have some work at Olympic Mills organized with Portland City Art. I will also have some work up at Gallery Exit 21 on Hawthorne for June.
  
  :) Hope everyone is having a great week.

  

• Blogged: Library + Erika = awesomeness posted: 4 months ago.

  
  I have recently rediscovered the library. The funny thing about the library as that when I was a kid I totally lost books and videos, and was always afraid to go back because there would be some enormousness fine or I was on some black list of never being allowed in the library. :) Well the library in my area is linked to several libraries around town, including Oregon College of Art and Craft. Since I didn't go to art school- I read a lot of art books or used the internet for reference. Now you can order books online and have them shipped to your library of choice and you can either go pick them up or have them sent to your house. I think I might have overloaded on books.

  
  I have been in the studio working away at mainly some industrial paintings- I am just really enjoying doing the wires and how simple and complex that they can be. I am also loving how Portland is such a little city but the industrial district is small but large at the same time.
  
  Have a creative weekend and creative thoughts to one and all.
  
  

• Blogged: Alive! posted: 4 months ago.

  
  I had my wisdom teeth pulled this week and it was my first time to have to been knocked out. On my way being taken out to the car after surgery, I did give each nurse a big hug and thank them for taking care of me. :) I was pretty looped up. I am recovering pretty well and I have been back in the studio 2 days after surgery.
  
  Here is a little painting of before crossing the bridge back to Astoria, Oregon.
  
  Happy Weekend Everyone :)

  

• Blogged: SE Artwalk and Oysterville posted: 5 months ago.

  
  Just finished wrapping up this painting of Oysterville, WA- The funny thing about this place is they have cranberry bogs and oysters- what an unusual combination. If you go driving up here, you will see mountains of oyster shells and tiny little houses that sit very close together. Also the guy who invented the invisible band aide has a 200 acre estate up here. If you get up close to the gate there is this bird sculpture with a little video surveillance on top of its head. :)
  
  This weekend is the Southeast Artwalk and over 100 artist are participating and its free to one and all. :) Click the link and there is a map and I am spot number 13.

  

• Blogged: Beach and NYC posted: 6 months ago.

  
  
  So this week has been a pretty stressful week. I went to the dreaded dentist and let me tell you I had horrible dreams about all my teeth falling out and having all me teeth removed. his I haven't been in what seems like forever but I finally decided to go and the only bad news is that I have to have my wisdom teeth out. What makes matters worse is that my brother in law was telling me how horrible of an experience of having his wisdom teeth removed. Then I proceeded to read online about horrible wisdom teeth removal was. :( So I hope I don't go running and screaming out of the oral surgeon's office.

  
  
  Tim decided to surprise me and dragged me to the beach with our little dogs and it was beautiful out. Simply beautiful :) Now its back to raining but we had 4 solid days of sunshine.
  
  Here is a painting that I can't decide if its done yet. NYC and I was playing with the soft sky with the lines of the water and buildings.
  
  Creative thoughts and Productivity Vibes out to all :)
  
  

• Blogged: Love and little puppies posted: 6 months ago.

  My little dogs have been full of mischief this past week. Not sure why they have been leaving me surprises and chewing on things. Think its a cry for help? :) We do time outs occasionally for our dogs but when Winston is in trouble Yoda usually waits for him. Winston is more of the obvious trouble maker and we don't find out about Yoda's surprises until hours later.
  
  I decided to repaint my painting for the Love Show because I wanted to provide something that was more consistent with my current body of work. Let me tell you- trying to make an oil painting dry faster once its been painted- is tough. I read online about sticking the painting in the oven on a low heat or a blow dryer on low. I was afraid of sticking the painting in the oven because of the flammable materials. I also read about an artist who uses a McDonald's Fry Lamp to dry her paintings, which I thought was a little brave. I tried the blow drier on low for a couple of hours- I am not exactly sure how successful I was but its dry! (a little tacky but dry).
  
  Have a creative week everyone :)

  

• Blogged: Land of the Birds posted: 6 months ago.

  
  I can not believe we are already in February. February equals Valentines Day for me, which means hopefully I should be getting a surprise from my husband. (Hint Hint.. Timothy if you are reading this) :)
  
  I am participating in the Love Show - which the final artist count for the show is a huge 350 and opening night is next Friday.
  
  I am also working on a few paintings for a nursery and it's hard to have spring thoughts when we are in gross rainy winter. I decided to revisit doing some paintings of birds with some spring atmosphere. Here are two sparrows in a cherry tree with some fun stripes in the back ground.