Back when I was painting my Kennywood series, I would often see my friend Jim when I passed through the Group Sales office. For two years, every time I walked in, he never failed to look up from his desk and tell me the same thing every single time… that there was a Pittsburgh landmark that I had so far neglected to paint. He was referring to Gus and YiaYia’s ice-ball and treats cart in West Park, a beloved North Side institution that has been delighting people for decades. And every time, I would say, “I will… someday.” I suppose…

From the time I was just a new arrival in Pittsburgh as a young bride and now as a grandmother, one of my favorite places to visit around Easter and Mother’s Day has always been Phipps Conservatory. Tom and I had many romantic dates there, and sometimes we would go with friends. Then later when our children came along we would bring them, too, and introduce them to the beauty of the flowers. There’s just something about flowers that makes your heart sing no matter what your age. Many years ago, long before the remodel of the entrance, I used to dream of…

Mother’s Day is just around the corner. I’m glad that once a year we set aside a day to celebrate women who care for others… a special day when we remind them how much they’re loved and appreciated. As a grandmother, I have another generation of little girls to cherish, and the love that flows between them and my daughter makes my heart smile. There’s nothing that makes me happier than seeing my little granddaughter Aria give her mom hugs and kisses – without even being asked! Just this week, I spent some time at my daughter’s home, helping her with…

This week was Opening Day for the Pittsburgh Pirates as well as the start of a new chapter for our little family. Tom put on his uniform for the first time on Monday and reported for his new job at PNC Park. His retirement didn’t last long! Though the opener didn’t end the way we would have liked, Tom was in his glory! Of course, on his first day on the job, the game went into extra innings, so it was a very long day at PNC Park. But Tom didn’t mind one bit! Thinking about him up in the Suite section talking…

As many of you know, moving into our new home has been quite a long and complicated project. Finally all the furniture and clothing and pots and pans are in the new space. But as an artist, a house doesn’t really feel like home to me as long as there are empty walls, and my pictures are sitting stacked up in a corner, hiding their inner beauty. The thought of hanging all those paintings is very daunting – much more so than when we moved into any of our previous homes. That’s because Tom and I have always lived in…

Time really does fly when you’re having fun, and it’s hard to believe that we’ve come to the end of another year at the Pittsburgh Home and Garden Show. We have a tradition where every year after the last piece of art goes into the truck, we take an annual photo. The smiles on our faces reflect a job well done, another year’s show successfully put to bed… not to mention how exhausted we all are after loading up my entire booth into that truck! It also makes me smile when I think about how lucky I am to have…

Can you believe Spring is here? It may not feel like it outside, but inside the David L. Lawrence Convention Center, it sure looks that way! Yes, it’s that time again… today is Opening Day of the 2019 Pittsburgh Home and Garden Show. This year promises to be bigger and better than ever. In fact, the 2019 Farm to Table Conference is now a part of the Home and Garden Show, adding a whole new section – including live chickens! I’ve spent the last few days getting the booth set-up for the show. Ready or not, the doors open at…

The first robin hasn’t appeared yet, and there’s still snow on the ground, but Pittsburghers know Spring is just around the corner when billboards for the Pittsburgh Home and Garden Show start popping up. Opening Day is tomorrow! It’s hard to believe that this year will be my 25th anniversary at the Home and Garden Show. It brings back so many memories of my very first time as an exhibitor… could it really have been a quarter century ago? Because I was young, inexperienced, and broke, I actually shared my booth with another vendor, Black Swan Gallery.  Booth rental that…

As an artist who owns her own business, it’s sometimes within my power to make someone’s wish come true. And on this Florida vacation, I had the opportunity to do just that! During the holidays, I was contacted by a customer who was interested in purchasing one of my paintings. She wanted something to remind her of her Pittsburgh home while she was at her condo in Florida. Eventually she decided on “Waiting for You Under Kaufmann’s Clock” – she had fallen in love with it after seeing it on a new metal piece I had at the Chalet. But…

We’re only one month into 2019, and it’s already been a year of big changes for Tom and me. In the last few weeks, we have moved to a new home, Tom has officially retired, and as of this past weekend, we’re on a much-needed two-week vacation. All this in about four weeks! Not to mention planning and successfully pulling off a surprise retirement party with over 200 friends. So needless to say, I’ve been a little busy. So busy in fact, that last night as I was sitting in the car waiting for Tom to run an errand, I…