How can it be time for me to get started on the holiday season already? I haven’t even had time to enjoy my backyard garden yet! Though summer will soon be just a memory, I’m very excited for the holiday season this year – I have something really big in store for 2019… something new and special I’ve created that will only be available for a limited time. Despite the summer heat, I was thinking not long ago about the things that remind me of a cozy, old fashioned Christmas. Things like hot cocoa with marshmallows, listening to carols, and…

Picklesburgh was tons of fun!  Who knew there were so many pickle-loving people in Pittsburgh? You never know who you might meet at a show… and thanks to one of those random encounters, long story short, Grandpa Joe’s Candy Stores will soon be carrying my Pittsburgh-themed magnets. I also wanted to let you know that my work is now available at Pittsburgh International Airport! The two main stores are the new Pittsburgh Exchange and the Black and Gold store as well as five Travel Marts. As you can see, they have done a wonderful job of displaying my work. Now that Picklesburgh is part of the past (won’t you…

Tom and I are back from Sedona. We’ve traveled to many different places around the US and Canada, and we agreed that Sedona was definitely one of the most beautiful areas we’ve visited.  So the big question is… Would anyone out there like to see some paintings of brilliant red rock against gorgeous green trees in a majestic mountain setting? Hint: It just may happen! So now that we’re back, the first order of business is preparing for Picklesburgh 2019 this weekend! Our plane may have landed on Monday, but my feet have barely touched the ground since then – driving around,…

We had a wonderful time in the desert in Sedona, Arizona. Sedona is such an inspiring place for an artist. The desert landscape feels exotic and unique to this particular artist from Back East, with its dramatic, austere beauty so different from the lush green hills of western Pennsylvania that I’m used to. We had lunch with an old schoolmate of Tom’s who lives and works there. When they asked if I might paint Sedona someday, my immediate response was “Absolutely yes!” I think I could paint Sedona forever and never run out of inspiration. Though our time in Arizona…

I’m on the road again this week – Greetings from Red Rock Country, Sedona, Arizona! As we enjoy some downtime in the dry desert, it’s hard to believe that just a few days ago we were manning my booth through a very wet (and also hot!) weekend at the Westmoreland Arts & Heritage Festival. It rained through almost the entire show, but despite the weather, there was a great turnout, with so many precious moments shared with folks stopping by my tent. One of the fun features of the Festival is the Town Crier, who strolls around the festival grounds with…

The 4th of July has always been a great holiday for fun with family and friends. As you can see, our girls are growing up fast! The twins are coming up on their 1st birthday later this month, and Aria will be 3 at the end of August. It’s been quite a ride! However, this week my family’s biggest story is Tom Barnicott, TV Star! Tom, as you know, isn’t your typical retiree.  Instead of finding a new hobby and catching up on his reading, Tom landed his dream job as a guest relations ambassador for the Pirates at PNC Park.  Basically, his…

Rain, rain, go away, come again another day… I know rain is good for the flowers, but enough is enough! For me, there’s an upside to all this wet weather. It keeps me indoors, and that means more painting time to finish my latest pastel piece. But before I get into telling you about my new painting, I’m going to share a little bit of personal history… Anyone who has met me in real life knows that my teeth are… let’s just say they’re somewhat more front and center in my face than is the case for most people. My husband says…

With my Forbes Hospital mural now in the hands of the printers and the originals at the framer, I’m finally free to turn my attention to new summer projects. And just in time, a new opportunity has come along! I have been asked to consider painting a piece for Pittsburgh’s annual Picklesburgh festival! Picklesburgh has been named America’s #1 Specialty Food Festival. In fact, Picklesburgh 2019 will be double the size of last year’s event to accommodate the huge crowds. Picklesburgh will take place on July 26-28 on the Roberto Clemente Bridge and extending to the riverside lanes of Ft. Duquesne Blvd. I’m not sure exactly…

Last weekend, Tom and I went on a road trip to somewhere we’ve never been before – Asheville, North Carolina, a small city nestled in the palm of the Blue Ridge Mountains. My #1 impression of Asheville is that it’s a city that loves art and honors its resident artists. There is beauty everywhere you look… it seems as if there are galleries and artists on every street! And while the beauty created by the gifted artists of Asheville is amazing, the majestic gifts of nature surrounding the city and its incredible mountain setting are even more inspiring. If you ever…

Remember that big painting project I’ve been working on for the past couple years but haven’t been able to tell you about? (Hint: It’s the Forbes Hospital History Wall.) Well, late last week, around midnight, I put the finishing touches on the very last section of the last panel. Then while everyone else in the house slept, I did the Happy Dance! I can’t actually share the completed paintings with you yet, as I’m not sure how the hospital wants to present them. But I don’t think they would mind if I shared one small piece of it – one of over a…