The Dream

Erika .

The Dream

Dedicated to my friend, Jordan

Self -portrait

I tried to capture the color of dreaming and softness of sleep that’s found in this poem. I was experimenting with mixing different mediums in order to get a certain soft effect.

Mixed media on drawing paper. (watercolor and pencil)

The Dream

evening ascends the throne
and wraps the world
in violet silk,
indigo sleep falls upon me as

i sail the skies of silver
and periwinkle dust
and glide on soft waves of wishes
that gently rock me
as my saffron thoughts
glimmer in the half-light
under a bronze sky of dreams

then Golden Sleep envelopes me
with its silken threads of pearl
and in the evening silence
whispers gently once again
the name of the one
who hopes I dream of him:

and I smile like a child
for my dream is in you

Featured in Inspired By Poetry, Image Writing, and First Things

The Dream belongs to the following groups:

1 on 1: The Fine Art of Portraiture , ! Inspired Art !, All Around the Styles, All Things Poetic, Artistic, Philosophical, Art For The World, Artrageous RB Artists - Self Portrait Gallery, Bubbler Portraits, Core [C.O.R.E], Creative, Talented, and Unknown, Featured Features - For Featured Art, Photography, T-Shirts, Writing, Fine Art approaches to Figure and Face, First Things, Freedom In Words & Art, ImageWriting (2/24), Imaginative Realism, in-between, Inspired By Life, Live, Love, Dream: , Mixed Media, Rising Star, Self Portrait, Shameless Self-Promotion, Solo Exhibition, Something To Say, Strictly Human Faces , The beauty of poetry, The true beauty, Unconventional Artistry - 3 per day, Vibration in Art and Verse - VAVoom!, Works On Paper and Young enthusiasts Available for sale as

Greeting Cards, Matted Prints, Laminated Prints, Mounted Prints, Canvas Prints and Framed Prints

The Dream by Erika .
  • mimi yoon

    mimi yoon

    very beautifully done erika…. this hopelessly dreamy art illustrates your beautiful poem so perfectly… : ) xxx

  • Erika . replied

    aw Thanks Mimi, I was really hesitant about uploading this one. Not really my best, but it’s different. But I’m so glad I was able to illustrate my poem, it’s actually one of my favorites. :) So, thank you, Mimi. Your words mean a lot. xxx

  • GittiArt

    GittiArt

    Great soft portrait ..for me looks like the hair are in flames ! Great work !!! Bravo Erika !!!

  • Erika . replied

    haha! yes, I also thought my hair looked like it was on fire when I finished. I wanted a golden glow, but it turned out more fiery-looking than warm. Oh well, at least I tried. :) Thanks so much for visiting GrittiArt. I really admire your work.

  • Anthea  Slade

    Anthea Slade

    Oh this is a beautiful self portrait Erika fits perfectly with your dreamy poem my friend.

    with its silken threads of pearl
    and in the evening silence
    whispers gently once again
    the name of the one
    who hopes I dream of him:

    and I smile like a child
    for my dream is in you

    Words and portrait are pure magic Erika. Together perfect.

  • Erika . replied

    aw Anthea! So glad both go well together! I was really hoping I illustrated my words well. Your words are always so encouraging my friend. Thank you xx

  • Anne Hale

    Anne Hale

    Wonderful, Erika! You have captured the serenity of sleep and dreams. She looks like she is smiling and, therefore, having pleasant dreams. :)

  • Erika . replied

    oh she is indeed having pleasant dreams ;) And so glad she looks like she’s smiling, that’s the expression I wanted to capture. I am very happy this looks serene. Thank you so much Anne. I enjoy your visits. xx

  • Tracey Mac

    Tracey Mac

    Such a beautiful poem and gorgeous artwork Erika! You certainly achieved everything with both, so peaceful and serene….........

  • Erika . replied

    Your words make me smile! So glad this works! Thank you so much my friend! x

  • Lisa  Jewell

    Lisa Jewell

    Absolutely stunning…..you are an Angel…xxx

  • Erika . replied

    oh Lisa. Reading your comments is like floating through the clouds. They’re always so beautiful, heartfelt and dreamy. xx

  • annamora

    annamora

    Erika … I remember this poem well … and this drawing/painting is gorgeous … another one to cherish for ever …. I love what you have done with the composition … as the colourful hair takes a main stage … but because the facial features are shaded in pencil in such lovely detail – our eyes are drawn to them, therefore the balance happens here … beautiful

  • Erika . replied

    oh wow Anna. You have described this beautifully and noticed so much more than I expected. You are a true artist. Thank you so much for your words, my friend. xx

  • Reynaldo

    Reynaldo

    you are one talented little girl dear, wow…love this painting very well done x

  • Erika . replied

    Thank you Reynaldo! what a beautiful comment, my friend. x

  • catherine walker

    catherine walker

    well done ..she’s wonderful !

  • Erika . replied

    Thank you Catherine! x

  • Emma  Wertheim

    Emma Wertheim

    stunning x

  • Erika . replied

    Thank you so much dear Em. xx

  • Abhishek2

    Abhishek2

    It would make anybody want to go and start dreaming! I think its some brilliant work:) absolutely beautiful!

  • Erika . replied

    It would make anybody want to go and start dreaming...then I managed to capture the mood I wanted! Thank you so much Abhishnek! :)

  • Plum

    Plum

    This is beautiful >:

  • Erika . replied

    aw thank you very much Plum! x

  • JonoCarrick

    JonoCarrick

    Gorgeous! I love the hair that looks as if it is aflame.

  • Erika . replied

    haha! I know! It does look like it’s on fire! I tried to make it softer, but I think it’s the colors that make it look fiery :)
    Thank you so much for visiting Jono.

  • Claudia Alves

    Claudia Alves

    wonderful work Erika!!!
    well done

  • Erika . replied

    thank you so much Claudia, my friend. xx

  • JonoCarrick

    JonoCarrick

  • Erika . replied

    Thank you Jono! This makes my day! :D

  • JonoCarrick

    JonoCarrick

    That fire give it an ethereal quality!

  • Erika . replied

    Oh I see now. :) Interesting! Thanks my friend.

  • RebeccaWeston

    RebeccaWeston

    Congratulations Erika – a very well deserved feature XX
    Becca

  • Erika . replied

    aw thank you my dear Becca XX

  • Solomon Walker

    Solomon Walker

    beautiful work of art!

  • Erika . replied

    Thank you Solomon! It’s an honor to have such a talented painter as yourself say this. :)

  • Nancy Stafford

    Nancy Stafford

    Very Beautiful artwork.

  • Erika . replied

    oh WoW!!! :D (big smile) This makes my day! Thank you so much!

  • valzart

    valzart

    wooOOT! wonderful sweetheART great painting ..;} happy hippy huggglez

  • Erika . replied

    Thank you so much Valzart! I truly appreciate it!

  • Mikyle

    Mikyle

    Oh Erika. The expression that you have captured here is one of such peace, satisfaction and contentment… It feels as though you have wrung the very ink out of the words of my brother’s beautiful poem, and then perfectly reconstructed this piece into a gorgeous artwork.
    I absolutely love this drawing… You are exceptionally talented. x

  • Erika . replied

    Oh wow Mikyle….you have described the very essence of this work. I can only say thank you, my friend. It pleases me you like this. It means so much, xx

    (oh and I wrote the poem :) Perhaps I should say I wrote it in the description box, what do you think?)

  • Tara  Turner

    Tara Turner

    beautiful!

  • Erika . replied

    Thank you so much Tara!

  • Shoaib .

    Shoaib .

    wow … you are getting really good at faces… the proportions are really spot on and the hair is bright like flames… i think this perfectly depicts the sereneness of a fream :) awesome work erika !!

  • Erika . replied

    hahaha! this perfectly depicts the sereneness of a fream....haha! you mispelt dream! it sounds so funny when you read it out loud! :D

    But I’m happy I was able to capture a serene expression! And I’m glad I’m showing improvement in drawing faces, definitely not easy when you start out, but you get the hang of it. And yeah, the hair does look like it’s in flames, you’re the third person to mention that. But even though it’s “flamey” I’m glad I still captured a peaceful mood.
    Thanks so much for commenting, Shoaib, and for the favorite! :)

  • Erika . replied

    oh yeah and you also mispelt “serene”.....you wrote, serennene...hahaha! It’s just so funny when you read it out loud! try it! haha! :D

  • Erika . replied

    no, i’m wrong…you wrote… sereneneness.....that’s even funnier! :D

  • Shoaib .

    Shoaib .

    lmaoooo haha sorry ! i cant type :((((( you know i meant DREAMMMM lol
    fream does sound funny
    FREAM – A FUNNY DREAM !!! LMAOOO

    you know whats sooo funny – i was gunna say her hair is “FLAMEY” and i was like .. i dunno if that is a word !!!!! hahahahhaa

  • Erika . replied

    oh, I see! You meant to say “a funny dream” but the words just ran into each other, right?! :DD
    No, I’m just kidding I now you meant dream
    hahaha! “flamey”.....actually I don’t know either! I’m pretty sure it is…

  • Mikyle

    Mikyle

    Oh,I’m so sorry!!! I thought that my brother wrote this one… He wrote one similar I think. So sorry… Feel like an idiot… Beautiful words Erika. I remember reading this now. It’s in my favorites. x

  • Erika . replied

    hahaha! Don’t worry! It’s totally fine :D But I see why you got the poem’s mixed up, they are pretty similiar. Thank you so much though, for favoriting and for everything... xx

  • Shoaib .

    Shoaib .

    Klearly i cant spellzzz :)

  • Erika . replied

    haha! no, I just think your fingers can’t catch up to your train of thought :D

  • MistressZombie

    MistressZombie

    Tender.

  • Erika . replied

    Thank you Ms. Zombie! Nice to see you again! ;)

  • Cassidy JK (Ra Or Emraeh)

    Cassidy JK (Ra...

    Everything about this is perfection.

  • Erika . replied

    aw Cassey. Thank you always.

  • linaji

    linaji

    your talent is quite amazing dear one.. this is the feeling of your poem.. exquisite!

  • Erika . replied

    Linaji, your words are always so heartwarming. Thank you my friend. xx

  • Janis Zroback

    Janis Zroback


    Congratulations..you have been featured in the First Things Group

  • Erika . replied

    Thank you so much! This really makes my day! x

  • annamora

    annamora

    congratulations Erika :)

  • Erika . replied

    Thank you always, dear Anna x

  • Scott  d'Almeida

    Scott d'Almeida

    brilliant art

  • Erika . replied

    Thank you so much Scott. Your visits are always appreciated. :)

  • Songwriter

    Songwriter

    Everything has been said that could be. I am an echo to it all. You deserve all the features. :0) Song

  • Erika . replied

    And I can’t thank you enough for such a kind and generous comment Songwriter. Thank you. xx

  • Sally Omar

    Sally Omar

    This is so VERY OUTSTANDING…SHE IS GORGEOUS…I CAN PICTURE
    THE BEAUTY OF HER DREAMS!!!!!!!!!!! xoxoxoxo

  • Erika . replied

    aw Thanks Sally! I’m glad I was able to capture the beauty of dreaming. It means so much, my friend. Thank you. xxx

  • JUSTART

    JUSTART

    wonderful work

  • Erika . replied

    Thank you so much JustArt!

  • Jordan Busson

    Jordan Busson

    You say this is not your best but, my friend, I beg to differ.
    You are incredible.
    I don’t know how often you are told this, or whether it’s yet become blasé. Perhaps it’s lost some of its meaning, but, it has lost none of its truth. The serene beauty of your face seems to extend beyond the simple page.

  • Erika . replied

    Jordan, what you have said, your words, mean more to me than I could ever express in words…..really, a simple thank you is just not enough and doesn’t capture how grateful I am.
    I am just overjoyed you liked this, mon ami....xx

  • doreen01

    doreen01

    I missed your delicacy when I was gone! :)
    Eloquent expression, romantic and delicate work Erika!

  • Erika . replied

    aww thank you Dorina! This really means so much for me coming from a very talented painters as yourself. I’m so pleased you liked this. xx

  • elenaoleniuc

    elenaoleniuc

    Very expressive !

  • Erika . replied

    Thank you so much Elena!

  • secretagentman7

    secretagentman7

    Erica ,

    YOU ARE A GIRL . A BEAUTIFUL , FASCINATING GIRL , I MIGHT ADD .

  • Erika . replied

    oh you are too kind! But thank you so much for your beautiful compliment. I truly appreciate your words. :)

  • kevinmawson

    kevinmawson

    This is Beautiful work Erica,you are so very talented,congratulations on your very well deserved Features!

    km.

  • Erika . replied

    aw, thank you so much Kevin! I was really surprised when this piece got featured….I was so unsure about it. In fact, I still think I can fix it up even more. But this is how it turned out.
    Thanks again Kevin. I appreciate your comment. :)

  • Cee Neuner

    Cee Neuner

    Wonderful work of art!!! A fav in my book.

  • Erika . replied

    aw so nice of you to say Cee. Thank you! x

  • corinna wagner

    corinna wagner

    lovely …

  • Erika . replied

    Thank you so much Corinna!

  • RajeevKashyap

    RajeevKashyap

    Absolutely wonderful work

  • Erika . replied

    Thank you Rajeev! Glad you liked this. :)

  • Alessandro Pinto

    Alessandro Pinto

    wonderful… really a dreamy image !

  • Erika . replied

    Thank you Alessandro! So glad it’s dreamy! It’s what I was going for. :)

  • secretagentman7

    secretagentman7

    YOU ARE QUITE WELCOME, ERICA !

  • Erika . replied

    :D XX

  • secretagentman7

    secretagentman7

    I mean Erika (sorry about the accidental misspelling) .

  • Erika . replied

    aww thanks for taking the time to correct it. :) I appreciate it.

  • misfit1965

    misfit1965

    Wow! You are so talented Erika. I love your art as well as your poems.

  • Erika . replied

    aww thank you. So nice of you to say so. I truly appreciate it. x

  • secretagentman7

    secretagentman7

    YOU ARE QUITE WELCOME. YOU ARE CERTAINLY WORTH TAKING THE TIME TO CORRECT IT !

  • Erika . replied

    haha! Why thank you, I’m quite flattered ;D

  • secretagentman7

    secretagentman7

    Your welcome , amazing girl !

  • Erika . replied

    Thank you again :)

  • secretagentman7

    secretagentman7

    Glad to oblige, beautiful , idyllic Erika !

  • Erika . replied

    :)

  • secretagentman7

    secretagentman7

    PEACE BE UNTO THEE .

  • Scott  d'Almeida

    Scott d'Almeida

    amazing

  • Erika . replied

    Thank you Scott! I really appreciate it! x

  • TaniaLosada

    TaniaLosada

    beautiful!

  • Erika . replied

    Thank you dear Tania! xx

  • James Watson

    James Watson

    It is a very good day to DREAM

  • Erika . replied

    Everyday’s a good day to dream for me! ;D
    Thank you James for visiting :)

  • Del Millar

    Del Millar

    It’s a long time since I saw anything so fabulous Erika.. facial
    expression spot on, a beautiful work altogether,
    your poem a gem.
    Love to you oxo

  • Erika . replied

    oh thank you so much Del Millar! What a beautiful comment to read. It means so much. Love to you too, xox

  • Julialala

    Julialala

    WOW WOW WOW!!!! This is incredible, Erika! Your artistic ability is amazing, so expressive, so emotive, it really captures the viewer! Have I sent you Feels Like Sleep by The Dykeenies?? This picture makes me think of that song =]
    xxxxxxx

  • Erika . replied

    Julia, dear friend! Thank you so so much! I’m so happy I captured what I wanted in this drawing…..and I kept your advice in mind as I drew this: just keep drawing even if you make mistakes, don’t erase them, just keep going....That just helped a lot! So thank you Julia.
    And no, I don’t think I have that song! Send it PLEASE! :D
    xxxxxxxx

  • Antanas

    Antanas

    so lovely work

  • Erika . replied

    Thank you very much Antanas…this piece is one of my personal favorites :)

  • Fiona Christensen

    Fiona Christensen

    WHAT is this monstrosity! I havent sen or commented on this specatcular piece! that is disgusting! (of me of course…) ;)

  • Erika . replied

    haha! aww Fiona…you shouldn’t beat up on yourself like that ;D You’re too kind of a friend, how could I hold this “monstrosity” against you?! haha! never! ;D Love you. xxxx

  • Fiona Christensen

    Fiona Christensen

    arg!!!! hahaha, thanks! ok now i can finally comment, benefits of a third/second world country is our internet, it chooses when to work when its convenient for it and not for me!!! hahahaha! ok… focus… this is really stunning my dear, i love the colours, especially the yellow as that is my current favourite colour, is so expressively happy and free don’t you think! :D and by golly you can draw, the face and all its proportions are briljante, you are truly beautiful my friend!!! and the poem is…ahhh..dreamy, i love it!!! it takes me away then Golden Sleep envelopes me
    with its silken threads of pearl
    ... and of course i love that you use saffron, its my future name for one of my children, i love its texture and earthiness… and you have certainly captured all that earthiness and dreaminess in your portrait… you are certainly a talented young woman Erika, do continue creating this amazingness that you conjure up, its awesome!!! Lots of love! :) xxxx

  • Erika . replied

    Well look at you throwing out all these beautiful encouraging compliments at me…I’m quite speechless and very thankful to have you say such wonderful things my friend. It means so much.
    So thank you for everything Fiona, and your insight. Love reading your comments. Oh and saffron! Now that’s an amazingly unique name for a child! Awesome..the child should also be quite extraordinarly unique then…just like the mom ;D haha!
    Love you Fiona. :) xxxx

  • Peter Searle ( the Elder )

    Peter Searle (...

    Beautiful work Erika. You are certainly multi-talented.

  • Erika . replied

    ah Peter thank you! What a beautiful compliment, I truly appreciate it! And thank you for scrolling down all the way to the bottom of the page to comment.. :)

  • Stephen Thomas

    Stephen Thomas

    Wonderful selfportrait!

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