Life certainly is full of surprises, isn’t it? The Friday before last, we were told the Pittsburgh Home and Garden Show would be shutting down two days ahead of schedule.  Just a couple days earlier, there were no plans to close early, but no one anticipated how quickly things would change as the COVID-19 virus spread and social distancing became our new reality. As we now are taking care to limit our time outside our homes, going out only for necessities, it’s more important than ever to use other ways to connect with each other. With no shows or events…

A couple weeks ago I was shopping at Aldi, and I saw the cutest little vase with a little bulb, white roots stretching down through the clear water and a few fresh green leaves popping out of it. It was a hyacinth, my favorite springtime flower. So of course, I had to give this precious little bulb a good home, and I placed in on my kitchen windowsill. Over the last two weeks, I’ve been giving it fresh water and turning it each day so that it would grow straight as the sun – growing stronger every day – showered its…

I have exciting news! After many long hours in the studio, my new painting, “Pittsburgh’s Tunnel Vision,” is finished!  With the Big Unveiling coming up in just one week, there was no time to sit back and relax.  The very next morning after finishing the painting, I headed off to my printer’s studio to make the prints.  Alex and I worked together all through the day, making sure we got the night sky and all of the reflective colors just right.  But that wasn’t all that had to be done on a tight schedule.  There were so many moving parts that had…

Today is one of those rare winter days in Pittsburgh, beautiful and sunny.  Too bad I’m “In The Zone” – holed up here in my studio and obsessed with my new painting.  Since I last wrote to you, eating, sleeping and everyday life in general have been on hold. I’ve hardly looked up from my painting to notice the weather or anything else. For all I know, we could be in the middle of a blizzard! I call it Being In The Zone because when I’m painting, I inhabit a creative dimension where time doesn’t exist, at least until I’m reminded that…

People often ask me what an artist’s life is like… questions like where do I get my ideas?  And what does an artist do all day anyway (other than hanging out in Parisian cafes while wearing a beret)? Do I paint every day? And if so, how much? As an independent professional artist, how I spend my days depends entirely on the season.  I’m likely to spend the most time in my studio in the Spring, which is when I create a lot of my new paintings.  Summertime is my big season for outdoor events and art fairs, then September…

Sorry I’ve been off the radar for the last couple weeks – I’ve been very busy doing Artist Things!  Also, Tom and I took a much-needed four-day weekend break to recharge.  We visited Pennsylvania Dutch Country and stayed in the lovely old town of Strasburg at the historic Limestone Inn, built in 1786.  It’s almost like having a time machine! Yet as much as we appreciated the time away, I still couldn’t wait to come home and get started on my new painting.  As you may remember, I recently asked my readers for suggestions for a subject for my next…

Welcome to Makeover Week at the Barnicott household! With original paintings departing for their new homes and the need to create some order in my chaotic studio and store room, my focus has been on redecorating and reorganization for the new year. Two big holes in my home gallery opened up this week – my original pastel painting of Heinz Field is vacating its space above my mantel and leaving for its new home in Florida, and the original “All Aboard with Santa” is also on its way to its new owner.  So now a big decision had to be made – choosing from my other…

With just a few days to go until the New Year begins, I hope you all are having a wonderful holiday season! The Barnicotts have had an especially delightful Christmas this year… especially compared to last year, when Christmas was still a work day for Tom, and poor Autumn spent the night at the hospital. But the best part this year was when we were gifted with a visit from Santa Claus himself on Christmas Eve.  Santa was kind enough to make an unscheduled stop (in the daytime!) on his busiest day of the year, and Aria was beyond excited…

Here we are already on December 13, with Christmas just 12 days away.  It has been a real pleasure to visit with so many people at my Chalet in Market Square, from my loyal readers who have been with me through many holiday seasons to new friends and fans… some of whom were just wandering through Market Square, and one of my paintings caught their eye, triggering memories of times gone by.  One of my favorite things about this season is hearing stories about how my paintings remind you and your loved ones of heartwarming memories. Can you guess which…

Holiday shopping can sometimes be a chore… but there will never be a better way to shop than at my Second Annual Holiday Trunk Show!  This is my event with the most intimate setting – here in my own home studio – with light refreshments, big savings, and good company.  If you’re in the Pittsburgh area this weekend, you’re invited to drop by for art, food, conversation, and a painless way to take care of some holiday gift shopping… all kinds of happiness! To get ready for the big event, Tom and I have been turning our home into a winter…