I hope you’re enjoying Halloween so far. I’m getting ready to spend some time with my granddaughters today – Halloween is always such a fun and exciting day for the little ones (and some of us big ones, too)! Our little Aria started at a wonderful preschool this week, and they are having a Harvest Festival.  That being said, I can’t believe Aria is already going to preschool – and that our Twins are already 15 months old! And I thought time flew when my kids were growing up…

I can’t wait to return to John McMillan Presbyterian Church this Saturday, November 2nd, for their Christmas Affair craft show. It’s always a fun day with lots of great gift ideas for the holidays. Saturday is also the release date for my new painting, “Santa’s Woodland Christmas!”  The show is happening from 9am to 3pm on Saturday at 875 Clifton Road in Bethel Park (15102).

If you come visit me at the Christmas Affair, you can see all of my cool new gift ideas I’ve created this year, including the new limited edition throw blanket based on the very first painting from my Jolly Old Elf series, “Shhhh!”  As I said, it’s a limited edition piece, and it’s only available this holiday season on a first-come-first-served basis.  Most of the blankets have already been sold, but I do have just a few left… so why not stop by and get yours on Saturday?

As the holidays get closer and closer, I get busier and busier. This holiday season, you can keep up with my show/exhibition schedule with my new updated calendar – just look on my Events Page. I’ll be out and about practically every day from now until New Year’s Eve!

Speaking of busy… with so many work and family obligations, I know how hard it can be to get out to shop or come see me at my shows.  So I’ve made it super-easy for you to purchase my art and gifts online.  Among the new features on my updated website, the Magnets page now lets you select a set of any 5 magnets of your choice. These strong and beautiful magnets are just the thing for your refrigerator art gallery (or any other magnet-friendly surface).  They make great little gifts and stocking stuffers! Check them out on the Collectibles page.

Next week I’ll have more information about my Second Annual Holiday Trunk Show at my new Home Gallery and Studio on November 15, 16, and 17.

Happy Halloween… and have a great week!

Why am I celebrating today? Because I just put the final touches on my new Woodland Santa painting! I can’t wait until next week to show it to you… you will be some of the first to see the finished painting (though just a few days ago, the Jolly Old Elf himself stopped by to see how it was coming along!).

It’s funny how my mind gets laser-focused when I’m painting, and trivial matters – like housework, shopping, paperwork and such – get put on the back burner. So today I’ll start the process of catching up with “Real Life.”  In other words, it’s time to start focusing on the upcoming holiday shows that are just around the corner (and maybe even throw in a load of laundry).

Can you believe November is only a week away?  My first holiday show will be on Saturday, November 2nd in Bethel Park at the John McMillan Presbyterian Church “Christmas Affair” from 9 am to 3 pm.

Then on Saturday, November 9th, I’ll be exhibiting at the Bethel Presbyterian Church “Holiday-A-Fair” from 9 am to 3pm.

Last year’s Open House/Holiday Trunk Show experiment turned out so well that I’ve scheduled another one for this year, this time in my new home in Brentwood. Mark your calendar for the weekend of November 15th… details to follow!

And then there’s The Big One… PDP’s Holiday Market in Market Square, where I’ll be hanging out (with my big space heater) in my Chalet from November 21st to December 23rd. This year we are also participating in Handmade Arcade (same location) from December 28th to the 31st.

For me, one of the highlights of the holiday season is talking to out-of-town visitors who happen by, curious about what’s in the Chalets… not to mention the local folks who bring their family and friends who are home for the holidays.  The Holiday Market is a wonderful new Pittsburgh tradition with something new to see every year.

So update your calendar and make your wish list… and I will see you soon!

We’re into the swing of the Fall Festival season, and one of my favorite shows, Fort Ligonier Days, is celebrating its 60th year. The show starts today, which means last night I was hard at work getting my tents set up and my prints and giftware ready for the big opening. I’ve lost count of how many years I have had my two tents in the Loyalhanna Lot on South Market Street… it seems like forever.

With plenty of art and crafts, food, historical reenactments, and even a parade and a 5K race, Fort Ligonier Days is one of the best fall festivals in Western Pennsylvania and well worth the drive. Why not take a day trip, enjoy the lovely fall weather and come up and see me?

The latest painting in my Jolly Old Elf series, “Wishes for Santa,” is now available as a color metal ornament. I’ll have the first 10 ornaments with me at the show this weekend, and I’ll have prints of the painting available as well. There will be lots of new merchandise to see at my booths (#16 and #17), so come out and have a look. Fort Ligonier Days starts today, Friday, October 11 and runs through Sunday, October 13. Hours are from 9 am to 6 pm Friday and Saturday and Sunday from 10:30 am to 5 pm.

For more details about all the weekend’s festivities, visit http://fortligonierdays.com/

This weekend, Fort Ligonier Days is celebrating its 60th anniversary, but it’s also a very special weekend for Tom and me – Friday, October 11th is our 39th wedding anniversary!

I hope you’ll stop by and say hello and help us celebrate this double anniversary weekend!

P.S. – Here’s the latest progress on “Santa and His Woodland Friends.” The details are coming together!

It sure has been a busy week! Last weekend we were on the go non-stop, juggling two outdoor shows. Starting early Friday morning, setting up our booth at the Washington County Covered Bridge Festival, it seemed like we had no sooner put that show to bed than the alarm went off pre-dawn on Saturday morning, telling us it was time to set up for the Mt.Lebanon Artists’ Market. I swear I must have lost 5 pounds with all the running around between the two shows! And it didn’t help that Summer decided to give us one last taste of heat! But as always, I had a lot of fun.

Once I recovered from the weekend, I was able to give my full attention to my favorite (definitely not summery) project  – namely, the very last painting in my Jolly Old Elf series, my Woodland Santa. This piece has been taking shape in my head for a long time.  I’ve been doing my homework, taking pictures, trying to get all the elements just right. This is the theme that inspired my Santa series, and it’s the one I’ve dreamed about the most… which is the reason I saved it for last. And now the time has come!

As I imagined and researched the elements of this piece (the working title is “Santa and his Woodland
Friends”), I was thinking about how I wanted to portray all the little critters gathered around Santa, as if he had come to visit and they were joyfully greeting him. I wanted each one to have their own personality, each one delighted to see their friend, the Jolly Old Elf himself.

Here’s the very first preliminary sketch, which may change as the painting evolves. Keep an eye out for future emails, where you can follow along with the process as the painting takes shape.

As I work on the final Jolly Old Elf painting, don’t forget that the latest completed painting in the series, “Wishes for Santa,” is now available on my website. “Wishes for Santa” is #9 in the series and depicts Santa holding court on his fancy throne at Kaufmann’s Department Store.

There’s quite a bit of history hiding in this painting… not only are the two children with Santa taken from childhood images of a certain artist and her husband, but the suit Santa is wearing was created with the same pattern that was used to make the Santa suits for Gimbels back in the day. And Santa’s majestic chair is preserved for posterity and now resides at Heinz History Center. “Wishes for Santa” will make a wonderful nostalgic addition to your home for the holidays… or a perfect gift for any former child who remembers the awe and excitement of that annual visit with Santa.

Speaking of children… in honor of National Daughters’ Week, I’d like to give a shout out to my beautiful daughters and granddaughters. I am grateful – not just this week, but every day – to have been blessed with such strong, kind and compassionate daughters. They’re always ready to help out their mom in a pinch!

I hope you (and the fabulous daughters in your life) have a great week!

No sooner did I get back from my relaxing week down at the shore than it was time to get ready for this weekend’s shows… especially as I have two shows running simultaneously this weekend! Since I can’t be in two places at the same time, it’s a good thing I have Tom to represent me.  He’s the next best thing to a clone!

On Saturday, I’ll be at the beautiful Ebenezer Covered Bridge in Mingo Park as part of the Washington County Covered Bridge Festival.  Over 70 artists will be showing their creations, and there will be handmade crafts, live entertainment, historical re-enactments and homestyle food, as well as plenty of activities for kids.

On Sunday, I’ll change venues to the Mt. Lebanon Artists’ Market on Washington Road.  Again, Tom will be where I am not. Thank heavens for his helping hands… and that his Sundays are free now 🙂

The weather forecast is predicting a gorgeous fall weekend… sunny and pleasant and with a 100% chance of great art, crafts and food! Come on out and enjoy the good weather while it lasts – and maybe even start your holiday shopping early.

Just a quick reminder – my “Shhhh!” Santa Blanket is currently available for pre-order. This lovely 100% cotton throw blanket is priced at $99.50. They will be delivered in plenty of time for the Christmas holidays.

A limited number of blankets will be made, and when they’re gone, they’re gone. Until then, they’re available on a first-come, first-served basis. Don’t miss out on this unique, cozy throw, sure to become a family favorite.

So… I saved the big news for last!

I’m proud to present my latest painting in the “Jolly Old Elf” series (#9), “Wishes for Santa,” which is being released today.  If you’ve been following the last couple weeks, I’ve described the story of how the painting was created and how it progressed over time.  It’s available as a 9 x 12″ print here.

Now check this out…

The first 28 customers who order “Wishes for Santa” will receive a genuine historic pin from Santa’s own collection.  These are the pins that he actually gave to the children who visited him when he held court at the department store!

“Wishes for Santa” makes a great Christmas wall decoration for your home or as a gift for someone special!  Order yours today… I’ll even sign it in gold!

PS – The Washington County Covered Bridge Festival runs from Saturday, September 21 through Sunday, September 22 at a number of beautiful and/or historic locations in Washington and Greene Counties. (I will be at the Ebenezer Covered Bridge in Mingo Park.) Visit their website for locations and more details – https://www.visitwashingtoncountypa.com/downloads/CBF-PDF-for-website.pdf

The Mount Lebanon Artists’ Market is also on Saturday and Sunday, September 21 and 22, in the Academy Avenue parking lot just off Washington Road in Mount Lebanon. https://mtlebopartnership.org/events/mount-lebanon-artist-market/

How can it be time for me to get started on the holiday season already? I haven’t even had time to enjoy my backyard garden yet!

Though summer will soon be just a memory, I’m very excited for the holiday season this year – I have something really big in store for 2019… something new and special I’ve created that will only be available for a limited time.

Despite the summer heat, I was thinking not long ago about the things that remind me of a cozy, old fashioned Christmas. Things like hot cocoa with marshmallows, listening to carols, and baking cookies. One of the things I pictured was cuddling under a soft, warm throw on a cold winter night with someone you love.

Then I wondered… what if I could put one of my Jolly Old Elf paintings on a throw blanket? I immediately thought of “Shhhh!” – the first painting in the series and still one of my biggest sellers.

So now for a limited time (this holiday season ONLY), I’m offering this plush “Shhhh!” 100% cotton woven jacquard throw blanket. The blankets are a generous 52″ x 68″ with a tapestry look in a multitude of colors. They’re even made right here in the USA. And as you can see, they have Santa’s approval!

My Santa blanket would make a wonderful and unique Christmas gift for someone special… or perhaps a lovely addition to your own home for the holidays!

Pre-order your blanket today!

Picklesburgh was tons of fun!  Who knew there were so many pickle-loving people in Pittsburgh?

You never know who you might meet at a show… and thanks to one of those random encounters, long story short, Grandpa Joe’s Candy Stores will soon be carrying my Pittsburgh-themed magnets.

I also wanted to let you know that my work is now available at Pittsburgh International Airport! The two main stores are the new Pittsburgh Exchange and the Black and Gold store as well as five Travel Marts. As you can see, they have done a wonderful job of displaying my work.

Now that Picklesburgh is part of the past (won’t you miss all my “P” alliterations?), it’s August… time to think about Christmas! At least it is for me, as I’m starting to work on the first of my final two Santa Claus paintings in the Jolly Old Elf series.  Here’s a sneak peek at the very first sketches!

Anyone recognize the chair Santa is sitting in? If you guessed Santa’s Chair at Kaufmann’s Toyland, you’re right!  For many years, this was the throne where Santa sat, hour after hour, patiently listening to little children (or kids of all ages!) telling him what they wanted for Christmas.

In this year’s first Jolly Old Elf painting, Santa has two very special children sitting on his lap…

Months ago, my cousin was going through pictures and came across one of a little girl – in a sailor suit, no less! – gazing up adoringly at Santa Claus. Yes, it was Yours Truly, with my hands folded just so, fascinated just being in the presence of the Big Guy, sure that he would magically bring me exactly what I asked for.

Since the beginning of the series, I had been thinking it would be cool to do a painting where the artist and Santa appeared together, and this photo provided just the inspiration I needed to do it.  Thank you, Ruth Ann, for thinking of me!

Then one day Santa and I were talking about the painting, and he reminded me of how I always find a way to put Tom in my paintings.  Maybe a young Tom could be one of the children on his lap? In a split second, I remembered seeing an old picture of Tom looking up at his dad, who was showing him a toy train while sitting on the floor in front of their Christmas tree. So we got out the old family slides and had a fun night of popcorn and memories!

The next step was setting up the photo shoot for this Christmas scene… in July.  A very hot July. I needed Santa to pose for me once again in his full “uniform.” But he was a good sport about it! It’s a good thing he loves Christmas so much.

We used a stuffed bear to hold Tom’s place on Santa’s lap, and after a few shots, I got the perfect pose.  Next question – what should he be holding? We considered a toy train… a wrapped present…  maybe an old coloring book?  Santa is a collector of vintage Christmas items, and he happened to have an old toy catalog from Kaufmann’s. What could be more perfect than little Tommy bringing along the catalog so he can show Santa exactly what he’s wishing for?

I’ve just started painting the Kaufmann’s “Santa’s Throne” part of the piece. It’s a challenge because of the intricate detail of this beautiful chair, but it will be worth the effort to bring back happy memories for those former children who once sat on Santa’s lap.

What are your memories of childhood visits with Santa?

Tom and I are back from Sedona. We’ve traveled to many different places around the US and Canada, and we agreed that Sedona was definitely one of the most beautiful areas we’ve visited.  So the big question is… Would anyone out there like to see some paintings of brilliant red rock against gorgeous green trees in a majestic mountain setting? Hint: It just may happen!

So now that we’re back, the first order of business is preparing for Picklesburgh 2019 this weekend! Our plane may have landed on Monday, but my feet have barely touched the ground since then – driving around, running from place to place, collecting all my gift items and prints from their makers… most importantly, the newly framed original Picklesburgh painting, just in time for the weekend’s festivities!

I was thrilled to hear that the number of my tent was 57 (think “Heinz 57!”). I’m in a prime location on the city side of the Clemente Bridge near Fort Pitt Boulevard , on the right if you are heading across the bridge toward the North Side, where I’ll be fully stocked with all kinds of new gift items, new Picklesburgh prints, and a whole lot more.

Picklesburgh – now with the title of “America’s #1 Specialty Food Festival” – has doubled in size since last year, with even more live music, contests, demonstrations, and of course, many pickled products. And where else can you get a selfie with a giant Heinz Pickle balloon?

The fun begins at noon on Friday and runs until 6 pm Sunday. Hope to see you there!

https://www.picklesburgh.com/