Welcome to my busiest week of the entire year!

Last week I announced the completion of my latest painting, “Hills Is Where The Toys Are,” and I even showed you a visual timeline of how I created it. The photo above shows the very first print as it rolled off the press a few days ago before it was trimmed and signed – very exciting!

With just under two weeks until Opening Day of the Pittsburgh Home and Garden Show, I didn’t have a moment to spare! Once I had the finished prints in hand, I headed straight for Pittsburgh Dad’s house, where Dad personally signed the first 30 prints of the series to make them extra special!

Speaking of Pittsburgh Dad, he was kind enough to Tweet to his followers about the painting on Sunday… which means that nearly 200,000 people could have seen it! Orders immediately began popping up on my website, which is why I sent out an early heads-up to my readers. If you would like one of the prints signed by Pittsburgh Dad, you definitely should pre-order now!

As always, the week before the Home and Garden Show, or as we call it, “Crunch Week,” will be “all hands on deck!” Not only am I preparing for the big debut of my new Hills painting, but I’m also still creating some exciting new art gifts that you’ll see for the first time at the show.

Also, two galleries are working overtime to make sure my booth is well stocked with beautiful framed pieces. Unframed prints are being mounted on boards for the bin. Booth cookies are being baked (very important!). And my staff has their marching orders.

But Monday is when the REAL fun begins! That night, Tom and I will pick up the truck. Then on Tuesday morning, we start moving everything – booth fixtures, paintings, bins, ornaments, candles, and more! – to Booth #3146 at the David L. Lawrence Convention Center. We really have to hustle, because everything must be in place by 10 a.m. Friday morning.

Then… it’s showtime! So if you are planning a trip to the show, here are some tips:

~ For best selection, come earlier in the week while I’m fully stocked. The first Friday is always a slow day at the Home and Garden Show, so visit that day and get my full attention.

~ Visit my website, www.lindabarnicott.com, and do a little pre-shopping research before you come to the show. When you get to my booth, you’ll already know what you’re looking for. Can’t make it to the show? No problem! You can order from my website.

~ Remember, there will also be unique pieces at the show that are not on the website and will only be available during the show. So come to the show!

I can’t wait to greet you at Booth #3146 or see you online!

Make sure you are the first to know about all of my news, appearances and any “special deals” I am offering to my subscribers, by taking the time to sign up for my weekly newsletters now. CLICK HERE to sign up. You will also receive a FREE slideshow showing the step-by-step development of my painting, “Celebrating Time and Tradition at Macy’s”.

What a week this has been! I was submerged in The Painting Zone and didn’t surface until today. Last night – very, very late last night! – I finished my new painting, “Hills Is Where the Toys Are.”

The painting got started with a seed that was planted last year at the Home and Garden Show (see what I did there?). When I found out that Pittsburgh Dad would also be appearing at the show, I knew I had to find a way to meet him! When I caught sight of Dad and his producer, Chris Preksta, in the Great Hall, I rushed over to greet them. The first thing I noticed that he was wearing a T-shirt with the Hills logo on it. I have to tell you, I felt a sharp pang of nostalgia when I saw that T-shirt.

Then as I talked with Pittsburgh Dad, he broke character (in real life, he’s actually actor Curt Wootton) to tell me how his wife’s parents’ house is full of my paintings, especially my Kennywood series. Both Curt and Chris were delightful, though it seemed a little weird that Curt doesn’t actually speak in Pittsburghese!

We kicked around the idea of a Pittsburgh Dad portrait for a bit, then the subject turned to how Curt and Chris had so many happy memories of the late lamented Hills stores. It reminded me of how people of my generation get nostalgic and sentimental when they talk about their own memories from younger days of downtown shopping at Kaufmann’s, Horne’s, and Gimbels.

And that was how the idea was born…

When I got home that day, the first thing I did was look up the Pittsburgh Dad YouTube episode where Dad goes “Back to the Future.” (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7PiOM3EdKKg) Dad’s first stop on his time travels was Hills Department Store, circa 1989. Then I thought… “Wouldn’t it be fun to do a painting featuring Dad doing his Christmas shopping at Hills?”

After that, it was just a matter of a few phone calls, and then in January we were gathering our entire cast in a parking lot for the photo shoot. It was a perfect early morning for a location shoot just after sunrise with our models dressed for the holidays and ready to pose.

As I painted the piece, I was constantly sending pix of its progress to my models so they could see their images and the painting overall evolve. See it for yourself!

It started with a concept sketch… Then I added Pittsburgh Dad.

I painted pastels over a watercolor wash… Then I painted all the elements in the painting.

Finally, I added the “magic”

This last week was all about the adding the “magic,” as I created the final special touches of the sparkle of a winter’s night.

I’ll let you know when the prints are available on my website, and of course they’ll be available at the Home and Garden Show in March. But in the meantime, if you want to pre-order this limited edition print, just send me an email at info@lindabarnicott.com or give me a call at 1-888-PITT-ART (1-888-748-8278), and I’ll add you to the list.

P.S. – The Pittsburgh Home and Garden Show begins just two weeks from tomorrow! Can’t wait to see you there. CLICK HERE to view my Calendar of Events and find out more about this year’s Home and Garden Show and other upcoming events.

Make sure you are the first to know about all of my news, appearances and any “special deals” I am offering to my subscribers, by taking the time to sign up for my weekly newsletters now. CLICK HERE to sign up. You will also receive a FREE slideshow showing the step-by-step development of my painting, “Celebrating Time and Tradition at Macy’s”.

This week I’m working on what I call the “excitement” in my new painting – filling in the tiny details of the Hills Christmas shoppers as they come and go. One by one, I’m working my way through the crowd, finishing each of the figures. Just three people are left to paint… including Pittsburgh Dad! The poor guy is overloaded with bags full of toys and struggling to carry them all. If all goes well, I’ll finish this weekend… wish me luck!

I’ve also been working on new giftware that will debut at the Pittsburgh Home and Garden Show. I hope you can make it there to see what’s new this year. Can you believe it’s just three weeks away? Despite what the calendar and the groundhog tell us, Pittsburghers know that spring arrives with the Home and Garden Show! Opening day is Friday, March 10th at the David L. Lawrence Convention Center. CLICK HERE to view my Calendar of Events and find out more about this year’s Home and Garden Show and other upcoming events.

As I mentioned last week, I’m closing out my entire inventory of ceramic ornaments. Two more ornaments are now completely sold out just in the last week, so if you have your eye on a particular ornament, don’t waste another minute! CLICK HERE right now and make your purchase.

Remember, all ceramic ornaments must go, and the selection is becoming very limited. Some are already completely sold out, and some have only one or two remaining. I have more of some designs because they were re-stocked just before December 25th.

The ornaments are available on a first-come-first-served basis. If the ornament of your choice has already sold out before your order reaches me, I will call you personally for your second choice. By the time the Home and Garden Show opens, many of the ornaments will no longer be available, so act now!

P.S. – Look who is sitting up these days… Already?

Make sure you are the first to know about all of my news, appearances and any “special deals” I am offering to my subscribers, by taking the time to sign up for my weekly newsletters now. CLICK HERE to sign up. You will also receive a FREE slideshow showing the step-by-step development of my painting, “Celebrating Time and Tradition at Macy’s”.

As my art business grows and evolves, sometimes older product lines are discontinued to make room for new ones. With a new line of Christmas ornaments in the works for 2017, I’ve decided to stop production on my ceramic ornaments. The last time they will be available is at the Pittsburgh Home and Garden Show in March.

I am discontinuing the entire product line (don’t worry… I will still be offering my existing Wendell August Forge metal ornaments with new additions for the 2017 Holiday season). Therefore, all the ceramic ornaments must go. Selection is limited – some ornaments sold out over the holidays and are already out of stock. For some of the designs, I have only a handful left, while others that I restocked just before Christmas may have many available.

So if there’s a ceramic ornament you’ve had your eye on, CLICK HERE right now and make your purchase.

By the time the Home and Garden Show arrives, there might not be many left, so order now if there is a particular ornament you’ve been wanting. This is your chance to get one of the last run of these collectible handmade bisque ornaments. All sales are on a first-come-first-served basis, so don’t delay! If the particular ornament you want is sold out before your order reaches me, I will call you personally for your second choice.

Speaking of Old vs New…

As you can see I have been hard at work on my new painting of the late, great Hills Department Store! This week I worked on refining the details of the building, and then I started adding the little details that make it magical.

I’ve been “toying” around with the title (Ha ha, see what I did there?). I decided to call it “Hills Is Where the Toys Are” because I can’t get that jingle out of my head! Do you remember the little cartoon elf mascot they had in their holiday commercials? He danced around and told us all about the wonderful toys waiting for us at Hills… then the commercial would end with the jingle. Because I’m sure I’m not the only one who associates that tune with the store, I thought it would be a perfect title for the painting.

The official unveiling will be at the Pittsburgh Home and Garden Show, opening Friday, March 10th at the David L. Lawrence Convention Center. Of course, you’re the first to see it as it evolved digitally through my blog from sketch to finished art!

Speaking of the Home and Garden Show… last night I attended the annual meeting for vendors at the Convention Center – Opening Day is just 4 weeks away! I do know that I will once again be front and center in Booth 3146 on the end nearest to the escalators on the second floor. Plan on coming to see me. CLICK HERE to view my Calendar of Events and find out more about this year’s Home and Garden Show and other upcoming events.

P.S. – Here’s my little granddaughter, Aria, supervising Christmas activities!

Make sure you are the first to know about all of my news, appearances and any “special deals” I am offering to my subscribers, by taking the time to sign up for my weekly newsletters now. CLICK HERE to sign up. You will also receive a FREE slideshow showing the step-by-step development of my painting, “Celebrating Time and Tradition at Macy’s”.

Despite the freezing temperatures and occasional snow, Spring is not that far away. Punxsutawney Phil tells us we have six more weeks of winter, but we Pittsburghers know that Spring officially arrives with the Home and Garden Show!

This year, however, we were lucky enough to have another great show to tide us over until the Home and Garden Show (March 10-19) and help us Think Spring…

Last weekend I exhibited at a brand new winter event, “Pittsburgh’s Travel Showcase,” at the David L. Lawrence Convention Center. I was the only artist there, so of course some folks were curious about what art had to do with a travel expo.

I explained to them that, like remembrances of trips and vacations, it’s all about the memories. By painting Pittsburgh locations, I express my passion for connecting with people and reminding them of warm, fuzzy memories through my art. Pittsburgh landmarks figure into so many of our “Porchville” vacations, places where we’ve found fun, rest, and escape from our everyday lives. So even though I wasn’t selling travel exactly, I was offering something similar – a visual reminder of precious times in our own beautiful city.

As you can see in the photo at the top of the page, I also had a chance to catch up with KDKA’s Larry Richert. He actually gave me my first sale before I even opened up on Friday!

The minute the show was over, however, I couldn’t wait to pack up my booth and get back to what I do best – painting! This week I’ve been working on placing the people in my new Hills painting and using watercolor as an underpainting. Adding that color helps establish the mood of the painting and gets my brain synapses going so I can put what I’ve been visualizing on canvas. After a short break to give a talk at the Bethel Park Art Guild this week, I got right back to work at my easel with my soft pastel chalks.

Here’s a recap of the creation of the Hills painting so far. Of course, it’s a work in progress, so there will be more to it than what you see below!

Do you have your own fond memories of shopping at Hills Department Store back in the day? If you’d like to own a print of this painting, just let me know, and I’ll add you to the list.

As I mentioned earlier, the Pittsburgh Home and Garden Show is just a few weeks away, and I’m already getting my ducks in a row. Here’s a teaser (you’re the first to know!) – I’m going to be closing out a certain item at this year’s show with a huge sale for show attendees, but also a presale for the subscribers of my weekly email newsletter. I’ll announce it as we get closer, and I can reserve one for you before the sale is available to the public in March. If you want to be notified about this special sale but are currently not a subscriber, CLICK HERE to sign up.

So in the meantime, stay warm and dream of the Home and Garden Show… that groundhog is overrated!

CLICK HERE to view my Calendar of Events and find out more about this year’s Home and Garden Show and other upcoming events.

Make sure you are the first to know about all of my news, appearances and any “special deals” I am offering to my subscribers, by taking the time to sign up for my weekly newsletters now. CLICK HERE to sign up. You will also receive a FREE slideshow showing the step-by-step development of my painting, “Celebrating Time and Tradition at Macy’s”.

The sun was just peeking over the horizon on Saturday morning when Tom and I arrived at our location for the big Hills Department Store photo shoot. We chose this store for our photo shoot because it was very similar in appearance to the former Hills store I’ll be painting; it even had a red neon sign that reminded us of that familiar Hills sign from back in the day. If only we had a time machine!

The warm glow of the rising sun was reflected in the store’s windows and onto the ground in the parking lot, inspiring me to visualize my painting. While I was lost in thought, suddenly the peacefulness of the early morning was interrupted by the sound of cars pulling into the parking lot. At first I was afraid they were early-bird shoppers. But then as one car after another approached us, I realized they weren’t shoppers – they were friends, both old and new, arriving to take part in my new painting.

Then Santa arrived to pose for me, playing the part of a Salvation Army Santa complete with kettle. And Santa wasn’t the only celebrity on board… Pittsburgh Dad himself showed up to lend a touch of Pittsburgh Panache to my painting. Because everyone knows Hills is Pittsburgh Dad’s favorite store of all time!

I took over 300 photos to make sure I had plenty of options to compose my painting and place my models. Everyone had a blast! Then last night I roughed the people into the sketch. It was so exciting to bring it to life! If all goes well, I will be unveiling the completed painting at the Home and Garden Show in March – which, believe it or not, is just around the corner!

And speaking of shows… I’ll be super busy today setting up for a brand new big show this weekend at the David L. Lawrence Convention Center…

The Pittsburgh Travel Showcase, opening this weekend at the Convention Center, is a fantastic way to check out vacation destinations far and near, all in one location. Exhibitors will be there representing local, national, and international travel companies, including major cruise lines, railway and tour companies, theme parks, destinations, attractions, and more.

But this isn’t just your average travel show – there will also be great entertainment, food, and even an artist (me!). The Cultural Stage will feature music traditions from around the globe, and delectable international food, beer, and wine will be available at Taste of the World.

The show runs from Friday, January 27th through Sunday the 29th. Hours are Friday noon to 8 p.m., Saturday 10 a.m. to 8 p.m., and Sunday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. CLICK HERE to view my Calendar of Events and find out more about this and other upcoming events.

I’m honored to be invited to participate in this exciting new event, and I hope you’ll come down this weekend and check it out. And don’t forget, if you missed me during the holidays, if you need a gift for someone special, or if you’re just looking for a fun way to escape the midwinter blahs, I’ll be waiting for you at Booth #504, right near the entrance!

Make sure you are the first to know about all of my news, appearances and any “special deals” I am offering to my subscribers, by taking the time to sign up for my weekly newsletters now. CLICK HERE to sign up. You will also receive a FREE slideshow showing the step-by-step development of my painting, “Celebrating Time and Tradition at Macy’s”.

One of the perks of my business is that I get to have a little bit of holiday joy in my life all year round. Here I am in mid January, under a Christmas tree, playing with miniature trains. I get to play and call it “research!” Actually, it really does help get me into the right mindset to work on my next painting in the “Jolly Old Elf” Santa series.

In fact, I’ve spent so much time with Santa lately, it seems more like November than January. Though Santa has earned the right to be lying on a beach somewhere this month, we did have a lot of fun together this week setting up and creating this year’s new holiday paintings.

I have a feeling this one is going to be the best yet! As you can see in the picture above, I was playing with the miniature trains to get in the proper mood and to visualize how Santa would look as the engineer. Of course, Santa had to play with the trains as well so I could capture his excitement and that sparkle in his eye when he got to be the engineer!

Another new painting got its start this week as I completed the rough first sketch of my painting of Hills Department Store planned for this spring. I will be unveiling it at the Home and Garden Show in March.

I received a lot of wonderful stories from my readers this week about their memories of Hills. Many described Hills memories that we all share… especially sensory memories of the snack bar, the hot dogs grilling on their rollers, the warmth and comforting smells of popcorn and soft pretzels, and so on. But one of the stories, Caitlin’s, told of a little girl who saved her pennies to buy her parents a special Christmas gift at Hills one year.

She begged her parents not to stand near the registers and to wait for her at the front of the store so it would be a surprise. She chose two perfect Christmas stockings for them, and she had exactly enough money to pay for them. But as she was checking out, she realized that she had forgotten about tax and didn’t have enough money. Just when she was about to panic, a young woman in line behind her saw her plight and handed the cashier one more dollar.

And to this day, Caitlin continues to fill those stockings for her parents year after year. I was deeply moved by the message of her story – how a small kindness from a stranger can make a real difference in someone’s life. Caitlin told her story so eloquently, I wish I could reprint it here in its entirety – in a way, she created a painting with her words.

P.S. – Looking for a way to escape the post-holiday winter blahs? I’ll be appearing in my first show of the new year next week. This brand new annual event, Pittsburgh Travel Showcase, takes place from Friday, January 27th to Sunday, January 29th at the David L. Lawrence Convention Center. If you missed me during the holidays or you need a gift or just an “art fix,” stop by and see me! CLICK HERE to view my Calendar of Events and find out more about this and other upcoming events.

Make sure you are the first to know about all of my news, appearances and any “special deals” I am offering to my subscribers, by taking the time to sign up for my weekly newsletters now. CLICK HERE to sign up. You will also receive a FREE slideshow showing the step-by-step development of my painting, “Celebrating Time and Tradition at Macy’s”.

It’s a brand new year, and after my much-needed Florida vacation, I’m back in the saddle again! I have long list of new paintings planned for 2017 and can’t wait to jump in and get started.

In fact, I already have photo shoots scheduled for a couple of them… including one with my favorite collaborator and model. That’s right, Santa himself! He’s also rested up from his busy holidays and will be coming to my house tonight. From there, we’re headed to the home of one of my clients to take some photos for the next painting in the “Jolly Old Elf” Santa series.

What do I have planned for my Santa series in 2017? Here’s a hint – if you love miniature trains, you’re going to love this year’s painting! Stay tuned…

I have another painting in the works that I will be unveiling at this year’s Pittsburgh Home and Garden Show in March (Friday, March 10th to Sunday, March 19th at the David L Lawrence Convention Center). And I’m doing something a little different this time just to shake things up!

Hills Department Store was a beloved part of the Pittsburgh Experience for so many of us. Whether it was the popcorn and Frozen Cokes in the lobby, the dazzling toy department at Christmas, or back-to-school shopping with the kids, I’ve talked to a lot of people who get nostalgic at the very mention of Hills.

The scene will be looking at the store from the outside as if you have already shopped, or you’re anticipating going into the store.

Hills may be gone, but it lives on in our memories… and soon in my new painting.

P.S. – Coming soon to the David L. Lawrence Convention Center – a big new annual show! Come visit me at the Pittsburgh Travel Show (presented by AAA) January 27th to 29th if you love to travel… or if you missed me during the holiday season. CLICK HERE to view my Calendar of Events and find out more about this and other upcoming events.

Make sure you are the first to know about all of my news, appearances and any “special deals” I am offering to my subscribers, by taking the time to sign up for my weekly newsletters now. CLICK HERE to sign up. You will also receive a FREE slideshow showing the step-by-step development of my painting, “Celebrating Time and Tradition at Macy’s”.

I’m writing to you from somewhere along the interstate in Ohio on my first real day off since late October.

I’m definitely ready for some downtime after finishing off another successful year at the People’s Gas Holiday Market in Market Square. After over a month of 12+ hour days, we were SO ready to be done that we had the Chalet completely packed up and ready to move out within a couple hours on the last day (December 23rd)!

So you can imagine what it was like for me on Christmas Eve – a very intense catch-up day! Taking care of all those details that tended to get put off while I put in long days at the Chalet… lots of shopping and wrapping and preparations. The beautiful Christmas candlelight services, full of warmth, meaning, and joy, were a very welcome interlude of peace and calm in my busy holiday season.

It was nice while it lasted… but first thing Monday morning, it was back to work. I spent the first couple days of this week unloading my van, reorganizing my inventory, and getting the latest after-Christmas orders to the post office.

Then Wednesday evening we were on the move again – we packed up the whole family and hit the road headed for Nashville. With a late start, we made it as far as Columbus, Ohio.

Thursday was a quiet day of just driving and relaxing. I couldn’t help but smile as I pictured the scene later that day when Aria would meet her great-grandma for the first time. What a wonderful way to end the year! Being together in the van traveling with my family – Tom, Brittany, Alyssa, Jon, and Aria – is my definition of true happiness.

What’s next for me in 2017? I’m excited about the possibilities and already dreaming about new paintings. But for right now, I’m going to live in the moment, first enjoying a few days with my Tennessee family… then it’s off to Florida next week for some much-needed R&R with Tom.

Here’s hoping that your holidays are truly “merry and bright!” From the bottom of my heart, I wish you all a happy, healthy, safe, and successful New Year. You are a great blessing in my life, and I hope I can return those blessings to you in some way.

Make sure you are the first to know about all of my news, appearances and any “special deals” I am offering to my subscribers, by taking the time to sign up for my weekly newsletters now. CLICK HERE to sign up. You will also receive a FREE slideshow showing the step-by-step development of my painting, “Celebrating Time and Tradition at Macy’s”.