Her latest framed creations feature interlocking wishbones and yes, there is a story behind them. In 1984, Hopper was sharing her first Thanksgiving with her husband, Gary, a local dentist. They carefully pulled the wishbone from the turkey carcass, cleaned it and tucked it away.

Last year, while cleaning their Rancho Mirage home, Hopper found a tiny box tucked in the back corner of her jewelry box. "I opened it, unwrapped the tissue and found the wishbone," she says. "It brought back many happy memories."

It also inspired a trio of oil paintings — Three Wishes, Autumn Wishes and Wishes in Tango — on display at the gallery. The wishbones appear to dance on the canvases.

Erica is not an artist who sticks with one theme," says Lisa Dempton, co-owner of the gallery. "She is constantly evolving and always delighting. It's hard to choose my favorite work of art by her because it seems as soon as I like one piece, she brings in something even greater. Each piece tells a story, down to the tiny brush strokes."

Hopper explains: "My moods change and I don't do one subject matter a thousand times. Traveling around the world gives me new ideas on how to mix shape, texture and colors."

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Hopper, 53, works primarily in oils, but her background as a textile designer gives her the confidence to create on oiled, waxed paper. "I love the texture of this paper and the challenge," she says. "As an artist, I believe it is important to grow and take risks. And your work has to show that growth."

This spring, she unveils a series profiling the many emotions of women. The work captures the contented solitude as well as the hopefulness of a full life.

"When I began, I painted what people wanted, but now I am able to paint what I want and what I see and experience so my personality is coming out," she says. "It's gratifying that people seem to enjoy my work as well."

As for the wishbone in her jewelry box, she and her husband have no immediate plan to take hold of each end and make a wish. "It's our good luck charm," she says. "Maybe some day we will make a wish, but not today. We'll know when the time is right."

Erica Hopper exhibits her art at A Gallery Fine Art, 73 -956 El Paseo, Palm Desert; (760) 346-8885.