Yes, it’s too early for the first robin, and the days are still short and cold. But I’m feeling warmer already because last night I attended an event that to me is the “First Sign of Spring”. Every February for the last 20 years, I’ve attended a meeting for exhibitors at the Pittsburgh Home and Garden Show. I think I must be the only veteran of the show who actually turns up every year for this meeting! In fact, I’ve heard it so many times I could probably offer Executive Director John DeSantis some assistance in delivering the program. It’s…

After my relaxing Florida vacation, I’ve had a busy week of catching up, and at last things are more or less back in order here in my studio. I have just a few more orders to fill, some loose ends to wrap up, and I’ll be ready to jump back into creating new art and launching new projects. 2015 promises to be a very busy year full of exciting challenges and new and different paths to follow. As I mentioned last week, I’m really excited about the Forbes Hospital history wall project. It’s thrilling to take on a commission like…

Happy New Year from my studio to your home! I hope your holidays were filled with joy, and if you gifted a loved one with my art, I hope they enjoyed it. I just got back from my much-needed vacation in Destin and Panama City Beach, Florida. We actually had a few 20 degree nights, but that was still better than your single-digit days! In the spirit of really getting away from it all, this was a non-painting vacation, but I couldn’t help myself, imagining all sorts of painting adventures for another day. Some of you have mentioned that I…

Time flies, and I here I am down at the Holiday Market in Market Square as we go into our final week. We close up shop on December 23rd, just in time to spend the holidays with family and friends. And not a moment too soon… I’ve been teasing Tom that he’ll need to reintroduce me as the minister’s wife when I return to our new church on Christmas! Today I opened early at the chalet so I could be interviewed by KDKA’s Jon Burnett for the show Pittsburgh Live Today. It was a great interview and really showed off…

As you may have guessed from the subject line, I have some interesting stories to share with you this week! As we enter the home stretch to Christmas and Hanukkah, I’m touched and humbled by the number of visitors to the Pittsburgh Holiday Market who are aware of my artwork. I’m also blessed with many friends and family members who are willing to help out at my little chalet in Market Square. Thanks to them, I’m able to take a break when needed to warm up and have a little something at the nearby Dunkin’ Donuts. However, my occasional absences…

Thanksgiving has always been my favorite holiday. Every year, I take this time to reflect on how thankful I am for the blessings in my life. It’s also my time to give back to you for being there for me. As a special thank-you to my loyal friends and fans, I’m offering a special gift – for this weekend only, everything on my website is 10% off with FREE shipping over $100.00 for art prints and giftware! This is the perfect time to get started on your holiday shopping with a special gift that will remind your loved ones of…

Sorry, but I have to take the blame for this recent cold snap! I admit that I asked Santa to bring some frosty weather and snow to get everyone thinking about the holidays, and he came through for me just in time to launch the season’s festivities. Can you believe that Thanksgiving is next week? It won’t be long before the jolly old man from the North Pole will be visiting all the girls and boys (except maybe the naughty ones, but I’m sure you’re not one of them!). This is an exciting weekend for me as we kick off…

My holiday whirl has already begun! At this time of year, you can expect to find me all over the map, meeting and greeting, chatting and laughing with shoppers and art lovers, friends old and new. Needless to say, it’s my favorite time of year. All these holiday activities and shows bring back memories of Christmas 1989, the year when I painted “Meet Me Under Kaufmann’s Clock.” It was the first building I ever painted, and it launched my career as a Pittsburgh artist. And now here we are at its 25th anniversary! Tom and I were stunned at the…

It’s that time of year again! My busiest season is about to begin, with orders flowing in, events and shows to exhibit, etc., I’m done painting until January, but what most people don’t realize is that my work doesn’t end after I add my signature to a piece. There’s still much more to be done long after the paint has dried! For example, I’ve been spending a lot of time at the printers recreating “Holiday Greetings from My Hometown” in ink for the print. I’m also developing the ornament, which is a time-consuming two-week process (if I’m lucky!). Then I…