There’s a special November tradition in the Barnicott family… and if you listen ever so closely come the First of November, you may hear the sounds of Christmas floating through the air. Since Tom was just a lad, November 1st was their “official” first day to start listening to beautiful holiday music. When we started a family of our own, we kept that festive tradition of reflection and anticipation. It’s also around November 1st (with the holidays right around the corner) that Santa shares his calendar with me every year so that I can share it with all of you.…

I had an absolutely wonderful time last weekend exhibiting at Fort Ligonier Days! Earlier in the week, we were concerned about rainy weather, but except for a few sprinkles on Saturday, it ended up being pretty spectacular. I loved seeing many old friends there, and I even was able to meet some of the re-enactors from the fort.  Miss Alex and Mr. Constantine stopped by and told a hilarious story of how he had to catch a runaway chicken. Very believable, right down to his grass stains on his cloak! In case you missed it, I’ve made it a lot easier…

Oh my goodness, what a week this has been! On Sunday I finished up a spectacular show at the Mt Lebanon Artists’ Market, and it couldn’t have been better! I am absolutely loving the shows this year. Everyone is so happy and very pleasant to talk to as they browse the artists’ booths. It’s always a pleasure to provide customers with something special for their loved ones (and just as often for themselves!). For all of you who weren’t able to make the show, here’s the announcement for my cool new art collectible I unveiled there: I had been thinking about how…

It looks like fall has finally arrived, and with it comes my busiest season! Last week, I had my booth set-up at the Ebenezer Covered Bridge Festival, and I have to say it was another phenomenal show! To all of you who came out to see me, your support is much appreciated. It always puts a smile on my face and in my heart. Next up is the Mt. Lebanon Artist Market this weekend on October 2nd and 3rd. My art booth (#214) will be located in the in the Academy Avenue parking lot. The closest address for your GPS is 620 Washington Rd., Pittsburgh…

Sending out a big thank-you to everyone who reached out to wish me well in the art workshop I attended last weekend. Your good wishes paid off in many ways! Quite honestly, I never know what I’ll learn when I attend a workshop, but gathering together with other pastel artists is always inspirational. In my spare time, I worked on a new piece, hoping to finish it in time for this weekend’s upcoming show at the Washington and Greene Counties Covered Bridge Festival. It must have been all those creative vibes flowing – not surprisingly, it turned out to be the…

I grew up in a very creative family. My father was a Jack-of-all-trades, and our family is full of musicians and artists.  For most of them it was a hobby, though there were a few who were able to make it a profession. I, of course, received the art gene and have been blessed to fulfill my childhood dream of making a living through my art. Many family members of the younger generation have also found ways to express that gene and make art a part of their lives.  Brittany has discovered her inner artist since the start of COVID. …

The Barnicott family just had an amazing weekend at Picklesburgh on the Seventh Street Bridge in downtown Pittsburgh. Maybe it’s because we’re so out of practice, but it seemed like more of a marathon then our typical show. Nevertheless, we were delighted as countless old and new friends stopped by to say hello and to browse and purchase my work. We quickly sold out of a brand new item that I created especially for Picklesburgh – two exclusive Picklesburgh stickers. One was “Pickle Fun in Pittsburgh,” and the other was simply the giant pickle balloon that I painted in “The Pickle is Back!”…

After doing quite a bit of traveling lately, Tom and I stayed home last week, and I pretty much lived at my easel. I can tell I’ve been putting in long hours in the studio because my house is falling apart just a little bit more each day. With Tom helping out once again with our grandgirls, this house doesn’t stand a chance! (But my garden still looks beautiful – priorities!) I am very close to finishing “Santa’s Book of Good Children.”  It’s funny… after completing ten paintings in the “Jolly Old Elf” series, I have painted Santa so many times…

Have you ever wished you could find a special place where you could go to relax… and just be? Maybe a place that is not too far from home and is comfortable to live in? Well, Tom and I believe we may have finally found that place for us. Not far from Geneva-on-the-Lake is a cute little cottage that is just our size. We were there at the end of April for a few days, and this week we returned, and it was as great as we remembered it! Lake Erie has a lot in common with Barnegat Bay (where…

We’ve been getting out and about quite a bit lately, making up for lost time. Last week, Tom and I decided it was a good opportunity to revisit my hometown roots, and we made an impromptu trip to New Jersey. Back in the day, from the time I was 9 until I got married, I spent almost every weekend except for the winter months at the shore. Together with our family and friends, we stayed in boats that my dad had bought or ones he built himself. The Tradewinds was the biggest one he built, a 38-foot cement-hulled sailboat. I was 12…