One of the perks of my business is that I get to have a little bit of holiday joy in my life all year round. Here I am in mid January, under a Christmas tree, playing with miniature trains. I get to play and call it “research!” Actually, it really does help get me into the right mindset to work on my next painting in the “Jolly Old Elf” Santa series. In fact, I’ve spent so much time with Santa lately, it seems more like November than January. Though Santa has earned the right to be lying on a beach…

It’s a brand new year, and after my much-needed Florida vacation, I’m back in the saddle again! I have long list of new paintings planned for 2017 and can’t wait to jump in and get started. In fact, I already have photo shoots scheduled for a couple of them… including one with my favorite collaborator and model. That’s right, Santa himself! He’s also rested up from his busy holidays and will be coming to my house tonight. From there, we’re headed to the home of one of my clients to take some photos for the next painting in the “Jolly…

I’m writing to you from somewhere along the interstate in Ohio on my first real day off since late October. I’m definitely ready for some downtime after finishing off another successful year at the People’s Gas Holiday Market in Market Square. After over a month of 12+ hour days, we were SO ready to be done that we had the Chalet completely packed up and ready to move out within a couple hours on the last day (December 23rd)! So you can imagine what it was like for me on Christmas Eve – a very intense catch-up day! Taking care…

Ho Ho Ho! And a Very Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays to all! I’m sure it comes as no surprise, but this is my favorite time of year. One of the things I love most about the holidays is how we come together and celebrate with family, friends, and colleagues. Here at my chalet downtown in Market Square, I’m meeting not only my faithful customers and readers, but amazing people from around the world as well. It’s rich and uplifting, and I’m loving it! In the midst of all this good cheer, festive decor, and lovely music, I realized something…

Can you believe it is December already? Where has this year gone to? They say time seems to pass more quickly when life is busy, and that has certainly been the case for the Barnicotts this year! The biggest event for us, of course, was the birth of little Aria Grace, our first grandchild – already 3 months old. Talk about time passing quickly! She’s just a perfect little person, and her smiles will melt your heart. It seems like she grows and changes every day (it’s really fun to watch how she’s begun to imitate everyone she sees). I’m…

I hope you’re having a wonderful Thanksgiving Day, happy and blessed, visiting, entertaining, feasting, or just relaxing with family and friends. But don’t forget to rest up for the big shopping weekend to come – Black Friday, Small Business Saturday, and Cyber Monday are all close at hand! Today I’m enjoying my only day off between Light-Up Night and Christmas Eve, and I’ll be back at the Chalet in Market Square, braving the cold tomorrow and every day for the next month. But I’m not complaining… I love being part of the festivities and excitement at the Holiday Market, and…

With a jolly Ho-Ho-Ho! Ready or not, it’s Showtime in Market Square! My elves and I have been working nonstop this week. We’ve had a blast setting up everything and putting together my wooden Alpine Chalet for the 2016 People’s Gas Holiday Market in Market Square. We tried some different things this year with my booth near the stage. This year we’re trying a brand new look and easier access to my art and gifts. With lots of new paintings and gifts adorning the Chalet, finding your holiday gift purchases will be fun! So everything’s in place… the Chalet is…

Wow! Another crazy week here in and around my studio. Though it’s definitely exhausting, I love the “busy-ness” of this time of year with shows galore and orders pouring in. And though it seems like we just put away our Halloween décor, next week begins my end-of-the-year marathon at the Peoples Gas Holiday Market in Market Square! In fact, I will be having a soft opening from 4 to 8 p.m. on Thursday, November 17th… then of course I’ll be there every day (except Thanksgiving) right up until December 23rd. CLICK HERE to view my Calendar of Events and find…

On Halloween night, Tom and I spent the evening outside, greeting the little children and passing out treats. I told Tom that breathing in the crisp, clear air on that chilly autumn evening reminded me of how it feels to be in my Chalet in Market Square. It also started me thinking about one of my favorite things about November and December – getting out of the studio, renewing old friendships and creating new ones. Definitely the “second-best” part of being an artist. My face-to-face encounters with all of you are what give me such joy at this time of…