This week I’m working on what I call the “excitement” in my new painting – filling in the tiny details of the Hills Christmas shoppers as they come and go. One by one, I’m working my way through the crowd, finishing each of the figures. Just three people are left to paint… including Pittsburgh Dad! The poor guy is overloaded with bags full of toys and struggling to carry them all. If all goes well, I’ll finish this weekend… wish me luck! I’ve also been working on new giftware that will debut at the Pittsburgh Home and Garden Show. I…

As my art business grows and evolves, sometimes older product lines are discontinued to make room for new ones. With a new line of Christmas ornaments in the works for 2017, I’ve decided to stop production on my ceramic ornaments. The last time they will be available is at the Pittsburgh Home and Garden Show in March. I am discontinuing the entire product line (don’t worry… I will still be offering my existing Wendell August Forge metal ornaments with new additions for the 2017 Holiday season). Therefore, all the ceramic ornaments must go. Selection is limited – some ornaments sold…

Despite the freezing temperatures and occasional snow, Spring is not that far away. Punxsutawney Phil tells us we have six more weeks of winter, but we Pittsburghers know that Spring officially arrives with the Home and Garden Show! This year, however, we were lucky enough to have another great show to tide us over until the Home and Garden Show (March 10-19) and help us Think Spring… Last weekend I exhibited at a brand new winter event, “Pittsburgh’s Travel Showcase,” at the David L. Lawrence Convention Center. I was the only artist there, so of course some folks were curious…

The sun was just peeking over the horizon on Saturday morning when Tom and I arrived at our location for the big Hills Department Store photo shoot. We chose this store for our photo shoot because it was very similar in appearance to the former Hills store I’ll be painting; it even had a red neon sign that reminded us of that familiar Hills sign from back in the day. If only we had a time machine! The warm glow of the rising sun was reflected in the store’s windows and onto the ground in the parking lot, inspiring me…

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…