I’m taking a break to write to you now that I’ve just finished setting up my Holiday Market Chalet down in Market Square! Tom took this photo of me decking the walls earlier this week. Not only did we have to decorate, but we’ve also had to stock up on inventory for the coming 32 days! If you’ve been to the Holiday Market in Market Square in Downtown, Pittsburgh in the past two years, you would have found me on the end near the walkway that goes to the PPG Plaza skating rink. This year, I’ll be one chalet over…

It may just be a week or two after Halloween, but Costco and Target aren’t the only ones who already have their holiday decorations up! Because of the way my business operates, I have to get a jump start on the holiday season in early November, or it doesn’t get done! Since I’ve been participating in the Holiday Market show in Market Square for the last several years, I don’t get a day off from mid-November until Christmas Eve… that’s 32 consecutive days without a break. If I don’t get my home decorated for the holiday season before then, it…

Last Thursday night, I had the honor of attending the Oakland Catholic High School Gala at the Westin Hotel in downtown Pittsburgh. If you remember, in the spring of this year, I was approached by their board to create a painting that would honor each of the schools that joined together to become Oakland Catholic – Our Lady of Mercy Academy, Sacred Heart High School, and St. Paul Cathedral High School, with Oakland Catholic itself as the foundation. Back when the dogwoods bloomed, I visited each of the former schools to take supporting reference photos. Love and pride was evident…

I’ve had a whirlwind week getting ready for the big day! Our church will be doing a “Reverse Trick or Treat” this weekend. Basically, we older folks will go from door to door, but instead of receiving a treat, we’ll actually GIVE one, courtesy of our friends at First Bethel UMC. The treats will include candy (of course), a note, and one of my notecards, personally signed by me. It’s a fun way to let our neighbors know we care. The notecard that will be included in the treat bags features my painting, “Celebrating Kennywood’s Fall Fantasy.” So today, when…

As I get ready for another fast-paced, show-filled Holiday season, I’m planning out the details of my jam-packed November/December schedule. It seems like just yesterday I was finishing up at the Market Square Chalets, and here I am stocking my shelves, ordering more packaging, and organizing my calendar for the 2015 holidays. Somehow the season is already upon us! Check out my “Calendar of Events” to find out more about my busy holiday schedule. Of course, the season has an early start for me because I have to prepare for shows, build up my inventory, and set up artist meet-and-greets…

That’s right! The Jolly Old Elf – Santa Himself – will be joining me from noon till 3 PM on Saturday, October 17th at the Courtney-Laughlin Frame Studio and Gallery at 531 Third Street in Beaver. This is a very special event… after all, it’s difficult to for Santa to get away from his duties at the North Pole this time of year! Jamie and Kathy have created a Christmas wonderland at the gallery with special holiday perks to welcome Santa and our guests, including live music and refreshments. Click Here to find out more about this event. There’s even…

Seems like I’m always on the move these days! With my super-busy Fall Schedule, if you blink, you might miss me! For now, I’m back in Nashville again, spending some time with my Mom until the weekend. I swear I’m done traveling for this year – I have so much to do in the Pittsburgh area, there won’t be time to go anywhere else. When I return in a few days, I’ll dive right into my painting projects and get revved up for a full schedule of “Meet the Artist” opportunities around Pittsburgh. You can predict my whereabouts by checking…

I hope you’re all doing well this week and ready for a great weekend! Show Season is underway, and my next stop is the Washington County Covered Bridge Festival on Saturday and Sunday, September 19th and 20th between 10:00 AM and 5:00 PM. My booth will be in Mingo Creek Park by the historic Ebenezer Bridge. I would love for you to come visit me under the bridge! So if you’ll just print out this blog and bring it with you to the Festival, I’ll give you what will probably be your very first Christmas Card of the Season! I’ll…

You may have noticed that my regularly scheduled newsletter is a little late this week! I got caught in a tight spot when I had a Thursday morning deadline on the Oakland Catholic High School project… then I had to hop on a plane to Nashville that afternoon to spend some time with my Mom. Which means I had to pack not only a week’s worth of clothing, but (because this is a “working vacation”) quite a few painting supplies as well. With all of that going on, there just wasn’t time to sit down at the computer and put…