At last, the Pittsburgh Home and Garden Show has arrived! To say that I’m excited is an understatement! And for so many reasons – maybe it’s because this is my 20th year at the show… or the fact that Spring is finally predicted to arrive and bring better weather (fingers crossed for warmer temperatures and no snow for the next 10 days). Or maybe it was seeing old friends on the loading docks and on the show floor, with many of my fellow artist friends setting up right alongside of me in “Artists’ Row.” Whatever is responsible, I’m certainly feeling…

Just before Christmas, I received a very special commission, and I’ve been working diligently on it over the last few weeks since I returned from Florida. One of my clients had asked if I would paint a portrait of his parents. My goal was to make my subjects come alive, as if they could literally step out of the canvas. I wanted to create something that my client and his family would treasure for a lifetime. To begin, I asked him for his favorite photo of them (the first thing I always request for portrait work), and he gave me…

In only two short weeks, I’ll be celebrating my 20th year as an exhibitor at the Pittsburgh Home and Garden Show. Looking back over all those years, I can honestly say every year has been good, and some I would even call great! Some years I’ve unveiled new paintings, and some years I took preorders for paintings that were yet to come. I’ve even sold out of many editions while exhibiting them during those 10 busy days at the Home and Garden Show. Most of all, I like to remember the many friends and fans I’ve met there, and how…

Can you believe it’s going back down into single digits again this week? I guess that’s what you get when they let a stupid rodent predict 6 more weeks of winter weather! I know I’m really tired of the snow and ice and cold temperatures by mid-Feburary, and I’ll bet you are too! Luckily, I have a surefire way to cure my winter blues by getting ready for the Pittsburgh Home and Garden Show. All my show preparations remind me that Spring is just around the corner – from ordering the U-Haul to writing the checks for my booth carpeting…

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…