First, I want to thank all of you for your thoughts and prayers for Alyssa, Jon, and our soon-to-be granddaughter. This week was a rough one for them because of some pregnancy complications as well as a very scary auto accident. Don’t worry – everyone (including baby) is just fine… unfortunately, the car not so much. But as we have always said, “Cars can be fixed, people can’t.” We are just grateful that the kids were able to walk away from it.

Now I have some great news I want to share with you…

I will appear on Pittsburgh Today Live with Kristine Sorensen on KDKA-TV (CBS) on Monday (August 22nd) at 9 a.m.

I’ll be talking about a few of my paintings that I’ll have with me on the show, but especially my newly finished painting of Mother Teresa, “The Heart of a Saint.” This painting was a labor of love. It is very, very special to me and has actually been in the works for two years.

The story of how “The Heart of a Saint” came to be is one of chance meetings and mysterious coincidences. Here’s the short version:

Two years ago, I had a booth at Delmont Apple Festival, and as always, I met a lot of wonderful people and had many interesting conversations.

The following week I was taking a break near the bandstand at Ligonier Days, when I heard someone call my name. It turned out to be a woman who had visited my booth in Delmont the week before. She said, “This was not a coincidence! We were meant to meet again.” She definitely had my attention!

She said she needed to give me something important, and she opened her purse to reveal a big stack of photographs. She selected two of them and handed them to me. The photos were taken when she had the opportunity to meet Mother Teresa in Tijuana, Mexico, in 1989, and she wanted me to have them.

She had no way of knowing that I’ve had a lifelong admiration for Mother Teresa. I was thrilled to hear her story of how she met and actually wrote to her, and I gratefully accepted the photos.

But then as I walked back to my booth, I realized that I didn’t get her name or permission to use her photos for a painting. So I had to be content with displaying them in my art studio and being inspired by her image, a constant reminder of her selflessness, love, and compassion.

Fast forward to a year later… my daughter Brittany works for St. Vincent DePaul, and one morning she received a phone call from a woman who wanted to donate items to the stores. At the end of their conversation, the woman mentioned that she would like to give her a few photos of Mother Teresa.

Fortunately, Brittany has a great memory! She remembered the story of how I acquired my photos and called me immediately. We knew it had to be the same person. Long story short, we were able to make contact, and she said she would be honored if I used one of her photos to create my new painting.

And one more coincidence… my painting will be launched just before Mother Teresa will be canonized as a Saint on September 4th. It’s been a privilege to have been given the opportunity to recognize her life’s work through my art.

Here’s a look at the process that brought this very special painting to life!

Be sure to tune in on Monday morning at 9, and you’ll be the first to see the original before I present it at the Shadyside Arts Festival. “The Heart of a Saint” is for sale as an open giclee edition (12″ x 16″) and sells for $85.00. CLICK HERE to purchase your print today.

I hope my new portrait of Mother Teresa brings you as much joy as it brought me while painting it!

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”.

We’re having another eventful week at Chez Barnicott, as we found out that our daughter Alyssa is in need of some prayer. Her baby, Aria Grace, is still in the breech position, and there has been a lot of activity around this new finding. In just a few weeks, we will be holding our little gift, our first grandchild, in our arms! In the meantime, Alyssa’s doctors will be doing their best to help turn the baby, and a positive mindset can’t hurt. Any prayers will be greatly appreciated!

Yes, it’s definitely been a week of surprises in the Barnicott Studio. Although it wasn’t part of my original plan for this month, I’m working on another new painting… a portrait of Mother Teresa, a woman I’ve always greatly admired.

The story of how I came to rethink my priorities and create this new portrait is really quite amazing. And next week, I’ll share it all with you! So stay tuned…

If you love the Vintage Grand Prix… if you love cars… and especially if you love Porsches, I think you’ll love my new painting, “Porsche Fields Forever.” Check out the official description of the painting from my catalog:

“Every year on a special weekend in July, car enthusiasts from around the country gather in Pittsburgh’s Schenley Park for the Pittsburgh Vintage Grand Prix. Like wild flowers, the hillsides come alive with the vibrant colors of classic cars. The Allegheny Region of the Porsche Club of America makes quite a statement with Porsches both classic and contemporary. Stroll among these beautiful driving machines and imagine magnificent “Porsche Fields Forever”

Among all the other family and studio goings-on this week, “Porsche Fields Forever” made its debut for sale on my website. Though the original is sold (commissioned by local Porsche enthusiasts for the Pittsburgh Vintage Grand Prix), the limited-edition giclee prints are now available on my website. I think you’ll love the brilliant colors, the view of Oakland landmarks, and the excitement of the race. CLICK HERE to get a better look!

A portion of the proceeds from the sale of “Porsche Fields Forever” prints goes to help support autism services and the Allegheny Valley School.

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”.

Last week, I decided that since we were celebrating “Christmas in July” in Market Square, I would put in a request for some seasonal snow flurries to set the holiday mood. Unfortunately, the snowflakes I ordered must have melted in the heat, because we got rain instead!

It turned out that my borrowed tent had multiple leaks, which led to multiple puddles… so my priority became taking cover and keeping my artwork dry. I was a little discouraged and ready to pack up and go home, but then Santa dropped by my tent for some photo ops with visitors and convinced me to stay. And I’m really glad I did – even though I was closing up my booth to protect the artwork, many customers came in to buy their first Christmas gifts of the season!

Though he made quite a splash (ha ha) at Market Square and Wendell August Forge in the last couple weeks, Santa’s summer vacation has come to an end. When we said goodbye, he was excited to head back to the North Pole to get ready for his busy season.

I’m getting some R&R myself this week, and when I return, like Santa, I’ll be launching into my own holiday busy season… Soon my website will be updated with all the new pieces that will be available for sale. Meanwhile, I have new works in progress!

You’ve already seen my latest piece in the “Jolly Old Elf ” series, “Making Magic in Santa’s Workshop.” Now I’m working on its companion piece, which features Santa looking right at home on the back of a vintage Harley… right down to the leather jacket! It’s the same size as last year’s “Santa’s Newest Reindeer” and will be an open edition. If you purchase the remaining “Jolly Old Elf” series, you will also receive this print at no cost (a $70.00 value).

After this year’s “Making Magic in Santa’s Workshop,” there will be three more Limited Edition prints and three more Open-Edition companion prints to come.

The last painting in the “Jolly Old Elf” series will be a Woodland Santa surrounded by all his furry friends, lit only by the stars and the soft glow of a lantern.

It’s not too late to get the benefits of purchasing the entire collection. If you already own “Shhhh!” and purchase the other four paintings, you’ll receive all remaining companion prints for free – a savings of at least $280.00!

I’m on vacation this week, but if you’re interested in purchasing the entire collection, just give me a call (1-888-PITT-ART) or shoot me an email at info@lindabarnicott.com, and I’ll get back to you next week.

I hope you will join me on my journey, this labor of love, my mission to capture the magical, mischievous, and marvelous heart of Santa in my art.

P.S. – I just picked up the new prints of “Making Magic in Santa’s Workshop” from the printer before I left on vacation. They’re absolutely gorgeous – far beyond my expectations for a print! When I return, I’ll get them out right away to everyone who has purchased one (or who orders one in the meantime).

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”.

Yes, I know it’s the middle of summer, but celebrating Christmas in July gives us a head start on the holidays… and it may even help us forget about the heat!

Despite this ongoing heat wave, it sure seemed a lot like the holidays were close at hand at our big celebration last Saturday with Santa at Wendell August Forge. What a day! It was full of activity and festive fun as we launched the beautiful new aluminum ornaments for my “Jolly Old Elf series”.

Santa and I signed so many pieces, our hands were worn out! So many ornaments were sold that we were left with only eight more of the limited-edition numbered engraver’s series ornaments remaining. Each one is signed by both Santa and myself and can also be personalized just for you. The last ornaments of this limited-edition series are available on a first-come, first-served basis. Future runs will not be numbered.

So if you missed getting your ornaments last weekend, where can you get them?

Turns out you’re in luck! I’m appearing today at the fabulous Christmas in July Farmer’s Market in Market Square from 10:00 AM to 2:00 PM, and I’ll be bringing the ornaments with me. If you’re near downtown Pittsburgh, make sure to stop by and see me!

And that’s not all… Today at the Market Square Christmas in July celebration, I’ll also be unveiling a whole new product line for the Santa series!

For the first time, I’m offering an open edition of canvas gallery wraps. I’ve never done canvas wraps before, but I must say the colors are amazing! These are real archival giclee prints on canvas, stretched on a gallery board, so there is no need for framing… just take it home and hang it up!

Both the Wendell August Forge ornaments and the canvas gallery wraps are so new, they’re not even on my website yet. So if you come down to Market Square today, you’ll be the first to see them.

P.S. – If you missed the Market Square Christmas in July celebration you can still be one of the first to see and purchase my new and exclusive gifts for the 2016 Holiday Season. My studio is fully stocked with gifts of art for that first of the season shopping experience! Call me at 1-888-748-8278 or email me at info@lindabarnicott.com to set up an appointment to visit and soak up some “holiday spirit” with me.

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 I’ve had! And it looks like next week will be pretty crazy, too…

Last week I was telling you about my newest painting, “Porsche Fields Forever,” and how it was progressing. I wasn’t kidding when I said I would be taking it down to the wire! In fact, I was working on that painting right up to midnight, just hours before it was going to be unveiled at the Pittsburgh Vintage Grand Prix.

First thing in the morning, I dashed over to the framer, who was kind enough to open up an hour early on Saturday morning just for me. In no time, the painting was framed (fortunately it was already measured and cut to save time), and off we went to the Vintage Grand Prix! The reception was nothing short of amazing. It seemed like I spent every minute of that first day talking about and sharing the painting. I’ll never forget that incredible day and all the great folks I met at the Grand Prix. Soon you’ll be able to get a print of “Porsche Fields Forever” for your own collection – I’ll keep you posted!

Another amazing experience I had this week is related to the big “Christmas in July” event tomorrow (Saturday, July 23rd) at Wendell August Forge. I was invited up to the Forge on Wednesday, where I met Mike Youngo, who manages all the engraving. He asked if I would like to make the first Santa ornament, and I jumped at the chance!

For the first time, I saw the two engraved dies of my paintings “Shhhh!” and “Santa’s Newest Reindeer. I even was able to alter one of them to add more hairs to his beard and fur to his hat. Then I put in my earplugs, and off we went! It was a bit intimidating, but extremely exciting as Mike guided me through the eight-step process of creating my own ornament.

Again, all of this was to prepare for tomorrow’s event at Wendell August Forge’s Grove City headquarters. And better yet, Santa himself will be joining us as we debut my new 2016 Jolly Old Elf ornaments. I’m delighted to announce that the Forge is going to produce aluminum ornaments of the entire five-year Jolly Old Elf series.

For the first 20 customers, a numbered and signed limited-edition Engravers Series of each of the two ornaments will be available. These ornaments will be signed by the Master Engraver Len and myself… and I bet you can even get Santa to sign them too!

There will be plenty of photo ops with the Jolly Old Elf! We will be there from 11:00 – 2:00 on Saturday at Wendell August Forge’s flagship store in Grove City. I’ll also have a selection of giftware and paintings for sale. So why not spend a very hot day in a very cool store and meet me in Grove City? CLICK HERE to check out my Calendar of Events for more details about the event.

PS – My latest Jolly Old Elf painting, “Making Magic in Santa’s Workshop,” will have its public debut at the “Christmas in July” Farmers Market in Market Square this Thursday (July 28th) from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. I picked up the prints yesterday from the printer, and they look awesome! I will also have a brand new product that I would love to show you… so come down and say hello! CLICK HERE to check out my Calendar of Events for more details about the event.

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”.