Today I’m going to do something unexpected… I’m going to share my latest painting with you – even though it’s not quite finished yet!

The painting is entitled “Porsche Fields Forever,” and it celebrates a great Pittsburgh tradition – The 34th Annual Pittsburgh Vintage Grand Prix.

The project started over a year ago in the midst of early spring. I had the pleasure of working with a very special client, Jay, and as we stood on the field overlooking Oakland and the city, he did a great job of painting with words what the scene would look like filled with cars, tents, and people in midsummer.

I started out by creating a generic sketch based on some old photos Jay provided for me. Then in July 2015, I experienced the fun and excitement of the Vintage Grand Prix for the first time and met the wonderful people who shared the Porsche Field. I was intrigued by these beautiful cars in all their vibrant colors. In fact, I was so impressed by the colors that I actually bought a new set of rich, bright pastels from France just for this piece.

Every year, the Vintage Grand Prix raises funds for the Autism Society of Pittsburgh and the Allegheny Valley School to help provide care, treatment, and support for developmentally disabled people in the Pittsburgh area. Jay had a unique idea to raise money by offering the members an opportunity to have their cars featured in my painting, where I would replace a “generic” car with their car. This would go on until all the positions in the painting were filled. All these proceeds as well as proceeds from the sale of the prints would go to the above charities.

So over the last months, dozens of photos were taken and submitted. It seemed like I had emails every day from Jay as the spots quickly were snapped up. I was constantly redrawing the bottom of the painting with all the new cars coming in – and even a few cameos of folks who donated extra to put themselves in the painting!

I’ve been working on this painting for weeks, but it’s not quite finished yet, as the process of painting the meticulous details has been very time-consuming. People often ask me how I paint such detail in my pieces… well, this picture shows how I do it!

Today I’ll finish painting in the rest of the people. Then I’ll start what I call “orchestration” – taking the painting as a whole and making the small adjustments that make it a real work of art. Finally, I’ll take the painting to the framer, who will build the frame, add the brass plate, and put in a false back so that after the event I can take the painting back out and finish it to perfection.

Meanwhile, I’ll be appearing at the 2016 Vintage Grand Prix on both Saturday and Sunday (July 16 and 17). I’ve been invited to speak at the event under the big tent at the Porsche field to tell the story of my painting. Prints will be available for presale, as well as some of my other Pittsburgh art. I’ll be at the Grand Prix both Saturday and Sunday. CLICK HERE to check out my Calendar of Events for more details about the event.

So come on out to Schenley Park this weekend, enjoy the sunshine, and experience the excitement of the Pittsburgh Vintage Grand Prix… Hope to see you there!

P.S. – For this weekend only, the Porsche Club is offering a special price on the print for those who pre-buy at the show – a savings of $25.00. Instead of $175.00 for the Limited Edition Archival Giclee Print, for these two days only, it will be $150.00.

Again, all proceeds will be donated to help developmentally disabled people in the Pittsburgh area.

P.P.S. – I also want to thank my amazing husband, Tom, for taking care of me and keeping our household running while I was up to my elbows in pastels!

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”.

A lot of people have asked me which one of all my paintings is my favorite.

There are quite a few that I would call favorites, but Number One is definitely “Coasting Through Kennywood.” The original painting is part of my private collection, and I will never part with it because it holds so many personal memories for me. I’ve sold many of my originals over the years, but Tom and I agreed that this one would stay with us forever.

Why is this particular painting so meaningful to me? Well, there are a number of reasons…

First of all, this spot on the bridge overlooking the lake is where Tom “almost” proposed to me on our first Pittsburgh date. We were just standing there talking, and I told him about my dreams of getting engaged and married. Tom got a funny look on his face and walked away, leaving me on the bridge. I thought for sure I had blown it! Fortunately, that was not the case – what I didn’t know was that he was trying to work up the nerve to propose, and my unexpected revelations threw him for a loop. Lucky for me, he recovered and did eventually ask for my hand in marriage that weekend.

Another part of this painting that has a special meaning for me is the number “22” painted on one of the aluminum boats on the lagoon. Tom worked at Hahn’s Shoe Store at South Hills Village for 7 years while he attended high school and college. He was Sales Associate #22, and he would write the number 22 on the bills he received when he made a sale.

So here’s where it gets interesting… On our first New Jersey date, we were working on a college project in a little town near New Hope, PA, rehabbing a farm for an artist community. On one of our breaks, we visited a little ice cream shop in the woods. When Tom received his change – believe it or not! – one of the dollar bills had his number 22 written on it! Somehow that bill made it across the state and back into our hands.

“Coasting Through Kennywood.” is also very dear to me because some of my closest friends posed for it. Of course, Tom and the girls are in it (on the left side). The people posing with them are my oldest childhood friends from New Jersey who just happened to be visiting on that day. The little girl pointing in the foreground with her family was my daughter’s very best childhood friend. They actually posed for me in their backyard, sitting on a picnic bench and holding an old broom and a broken hoe for oars!

Finally, this particular painting brings me joy because it was the view from my show tent during the Fourth of July festivals at Kennywood – 18 years of wonderful memories for my family and me.

I hope you enjoyed this little window into why “Coasting Through Kennywood.”” is my favorite of all my creations. These were just a few of the stories that make this painting so special to me. If you also have happy memories of this Kennywood scene, you can purchase it as a small print, as an ornament made by Wendell August Forge, or as part of my Kennywood magnet collection.

It’s all available at my website. CLICK HERE! to start your shopping.

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”.

For the first time in 20 years, I will not be working on the Fourth of July!

That’s right! Instead of spending the holiday at an art show, I’ve decided to celebrate at home with my family this year. I’ll miss the fun of meeting people, the fireworks, and the festive energy. But I’ll still enjoy reminiscing about 18 years’ worth of Fourth of July weekends spent at Kennywood Park’s annual festivals.

One of my favorite Kennywood memories involves the Grand Carousel and the man who so proudly represented it.

“Ride with me on the Carousel” was the first in my 10-year series of Kennywood paintings. Many years ago, one of my customers (who was an avid carousel collector) mentioned that if I ever painted the Kennywood Carousel, she wanted a print. Little did she know that I was already thinking about painting it!

That’s because Tom and I had our very first Pittsburgh date at Kennywood. And one of the things that made a big impression on me that day was the gentleman who took the tickets for the carousel… the one who knew the ride inside and out, who enthusiastically greeted riders and clearly loved his job.

I later learned that his name was Tony Sacramento. He had been a beloved fixture at the park for so long, that they dubbed him “Mr. Kennywood.”

When I first met Tony, he had already been having health issues, but he took the time to show me around “his” carousel, pointing out every one of its unique features.

On opening day that year, I invited about 25 of my closest friends to meet me at the Carousel for my first photo shoot at the park. Tony was a gracious host, and he even took the time to get up on the Carousel with my friends and ride it like a pro – backwards and leaning out ever so slightly.

During the festival that summer, he often sat with me by my booth (which was just across from the Carousel), and I remember so many folks stopping by to see him and give him hugs. One customer even kissed his hand as if he were holding court – a fitting tribute to the honorary “King of Kennywood.”

He even volunteered to add his signature to every print purchased. Turning the print over, he would sign his name with flair, right across the back. He was so proud of that painting that for years he actually carried a postcard of it in his shirt pocket. And when I visited him at home shortly before he passed away, I saw that postcard, though tattered and worn, still proudly displayed on his mirror.

Tony will always be close to my heart as one of my most precious Kennywood memories.

When she saw the Carousel painting for the first time, one of my customers tearfully remarked, “This was the last ride my father and I always rode before leaving Kennywood.” Which reminded me why I love to paint Kennywood and Pittsburgh memories… I treasure the opportunity to capture hometown memories for my customers of days gone by with family and friends that will bring joy to their hearts. It has been a privilege to serve as a “visual historian” through my art.

PS – I would love to hear about your own favorite Kennywood memories! Would you mind sharing them with me? Email me at info@lindabarnicott.com.

PSS – The original prints of “Ride with me on the Carousel” have been sold out for years, but you can get posters, ornaments, notecards, and magnets of on this website – CLICK HERE! They make perfect gifts and bring back great memories.

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”.

If you’re a Pittsburgher, Kennywood Park is synonymous with Summertime. For many years I participated in their Celebrate America Festival around the Fourth of July, and though I’ve moved on, I treasure those sweet memories – especially meeting many of you there over the years.

Remember the old song, “Everything Old is New Again?” If you’re a Kennywood fan, you probably know the park’s biggest news story of 2016 – the Return of the Whale! This week I want to share with you the “behind-the-scenes” backstory of my painting, “Making Memories at Noah’s Ark.”

Back in the mid-90s, I sat down with Mary Lou Rosemeyer (the park’s Director of PR at that time) to strategize about painting a series of Kennywood scenes. We chose Noah’s Ark as the second painting in the series because plans were being made for major changes to it in the near future, We wanted the painting to capture the “Old” Noah’s Ark with the Blue Whale entrance as a nostalgic contrast to the ride’s new exterior.

During the winter before the renovations took place, I spent a good bit of time in the park, hanging around the Ark and scouting out just the right angle to paint it from. I found the perfect three-quarters angle, but though there were no leaves on the trees at the time, there were still many, many tree limbs in the way. This made my job a lot harder – I had to figure out a way to compose the painting from just the right spot but leave out the trees!

Then in the spring after the park opened, I posed family and friends both at Kennywood and at our church and home. I even had a young woman pose over the air vents on the upper deck. I put Tom and Brittany by the ticket booth, and little Alyssa was held up for a drink at the water fountain by a dear friend of ours who has now passed on.

Our plan was to release the painting at the same time that renovations would be finished. Well, it turns out that the winter weather put construction behind schedule, and the Ark was not quite finished by the time the festival came around. Mary Lou suggested we just go ahead and have the unveiling of the painting at the festival as planned.

Folks loved the painting, but I noticed something interesting… after they left my booth, they would often walk over to the new, unlandscaped, unfinished, construction-taped Ark… then return to my booth and purchase one of the prints. I think it was because they were already missing the old Ark of their memories and wanted something to remember it by.

I guess park management just didn’t understand how attached we were to that whale! So many people really missed that big mouth and squishy tongue… then nearly 20 years later, Kennywood listened to the voice of the people and took it to heart. The Ark re-opened this year with a new Blue Whale entrance, complete with squishy tongue. The interior has been renovated as well, changing it back to its traditional funhouse format.

In other words, my old painting was new again!

The original prints have been sold out for years, but you can get posters, ornaments, notecards, and magnets of “Making Memories at Noah’s Ark” on this website – CLICK HERE! They make perfect gifts and great memories of a truly one-of-a-kind Pittsburgh attraction.

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”.

After months of hard work (and fun!) creating my new painting, “Making Magic in Santa’s Workshop,” I can finally say “It’s finished!” And this week I transformed it into an archival giclee print that is now available to the public – live and for sale on my website. CLICK HERE to learn more.

So why wait for Christmas when you can celebrate right now?

The original painting has already been sold to a Santa Claus collector in Connecticut. When he saw the finished painting, he shared a beautiful quote with me:

“Blessed is the season which engages the whole world in a conspiracy of love” – (Hamilton Wright Mabie, American essayist)

I hope this painting touches something in your heart as well and that you’ll make my Santa paintings part of your holiday decor, give them as gifts, or add them to your own collection.

“Making Magic in Santa’s Workshop,” is the second of five major limited-edition prints in my “Jolly Old Elf” series. A new painting from the series will be released each year over the next four years.

If you’re interested in the entire series, why not invest in the complete five-year collection now?

My premium series collectors are guaranteed the lowest price. They also receive a whimsical Santa companion print (9” x 12”) for each year of the edition at no additional cost. Take a peek at the companion print for “SHHHH!”, the first painting in the series. It is titled “Santa’s Newest Reindeer.”

Again, the companion prints are a free bonus for collectors of the complete series (they will be offered to the public individually at $70.00 each for purchase at a later time). If you’re interested in the entire five-year series, give me a call at 1-888-PITT-ART or email me at info@lindabarnicott.com, and I’ll assign you your very own number in the edition!

If you’ve already subscribed to the series, I’ll be in touch soon about delivery. Or if you purchased the first painting in the series, “SHHHH!”, and want to collect all five, just call or email me for your special price!

Meanwhile, I hope you’ll enjoy this little story about the painting… written by “Santa” himself:

“Oh, she’s just going to love this,” thinks Santa Claus as he puts the finishing touches on a rocking horse that a special little girl wanted just for her doll. More often than not, Santa likes to put on his apron and walk to the back corner of the Workshop, where he likes to tinker with the old tools that he began with so many years ago with his very own workbench. The elves can always use a little help, and Santa finds that working with his hands brings a sense of peace and relaxation. “Silent Night,” sung by Bing Crosby, plays on the old radio from a late-night radio station somewhere halfway around the world. Christmas is getting nearer, and all is calm… all is bright.

But it’s not the toy making or the music that brings the smile to Santa’s face. It will be the look of joy on that little girl’s face this Christmas morning when she comes downstairs and sees the toys that were made just for her.”

~~~

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”.

Christmas may be half a year away, but I’m celebrating today anyway! Because this was the day that I put the finishing touches on “Making Magic in Santa’s Workshop,” and here is my process.

As the painting evolved, I took pictures along the way so I could share the creative process with you:

Ever since I was a little girl, my art has always focused on the faces of my subjects – the emotions are mesmerizing! In this painting, he’s contemplative, thinking of the little girl who will open this gift on Christmas morning.

I also tried to express his emotions through his gentle hands and how they caressed the little rocking horse that he was painting. The movement of his hands had to be flowing and steady.

Next, I focused on Santa’s tools and the radio he was listening to as he worked. The lighting is very important in this painting to set the mood, so I made the lantern on the shelf a beacon in the darkness of his workshop and the garland aglow with old-fashioned Christmas lights.

Every toy in the workshop has a story – they were chosen because they were precious childhood heirlooms for my family and me, Santa, and some other close friends. The doll in blue on the top shelf was a gift from my mother when I was a little girl. The doll’s name was “Love Me Linda” – so of course I kept her all these years because she was my namesake!

Next, I added the light that would illuminate Santa and the shelves behind him.

The rocking horse was made for my daughter by a dear departed friend. On Santa’s right, is my oldest daughter’s first toy – a black and white panda. We chose it for her because we knew that newborns only see in black and white!

For the sake of balance, I made a decision to switch the Christmas tree to the opposite side of the painting from where it was originally photographed. I placed some of our favorite ornaments on that tree, including my father’s Santa ornament… a piece of my heart.

I began filling in the background elements behind Santa. But what I enjoyed the most about this section of the painting was painting the bubble light Santa that we inherited from my husband’s English grandmother. I loved capturing the soft glow of the light through the bubbles!

As a finishing touch, I took the opportunity to carry the old-fashioned lights throughout the painting, drawing the viewer’s eye from one side of the workshop to the other.

I hope you enjoyed the story of how I created my latest painting, “Making Magic in Santa’s Workshop,”

Every year when June rolls around and Father’s Day is coming up, my dad is on my mind. He was always my biggest fan and was always there for me throughout my career. In fact, my dad was even one of my most devoted collectors. He especially loved my Kennywood Carousel Animals paintings, and I created a special framed piece for him that included all four of them.

He was a special guy, and I miss him terribly. Yet there was one thing in particular that my dad did for me many years ago that makes me think of him and smile every single day.

When I was a young girl, I had the misfortune of being the only member of a very musical family with no musical talent. I wanted so badly to fit in, I even took up the violin at one point in an effort to be a part of things. Unfortunately, I was pretty awful at it! No matter how hard I tried, it was obvious that I was an artist, not a musician. But my dad understood.

So knowing how much I loved to draw, for my 16th birthday, my dad made me my own art desk, complete with a built-in cabinet to store my supplies. It just fit perfectly between my bed and the wall in my little 9′ x 10′ bedroom. I still consider it one of the best presents I’ve ever received.

I loved that desk so much that when I got married, I brought it with me to our first apartment. The only place we could squeeze it in was in front of the coat closet, so we had to move it every time we needed to get our coats out.

As time passed, and I got a little older (and a bit more decrepit!), I called my dad and asked him to make me a new “Over 40″ desk. You see, since I had turned 40, I wasn’t as flexible as I used to be, and it was getting harder to lean over the desk with the cabinet underneath. My dad said “No problem!” and simply reconfigured the design so that I could get my legs underneath it, as well making a few other little ergonomic adjustments. I’m still using that desk to this day, and I remember my dad every time I sit down to paint on it.

I would love to hear your favorite stories about your own dad or another man in your life who has meant a lot to you. When you’re looking for the perfect Father’s Day gift for your own special guy, why not choose a gift that will remind you both of happy memories together from younger days? CLICK HERE to shop my website for that perfect gift. I’ll be delighted to personalize something meaningful for you.

P.S. – Don’t miss next week’s blog, featuring the evolution of “Santa’s Workshop,” the newest painting in my Jolly Old Elf series – from start to finish!

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”.

In a few short weeks, it will be Father’s Day, when we celebrate the beloved dads, grandfathers, uncles, brothers, or other father figures who taught us, inspired us, and helped mold us into the people we are. It’s the day that reminds us to say “I love you” to those special men in our lives.

His love of Pittsburgh sports is something that my husband Tom has shared with our daughters since they were just small. I know our girls treasure those memories of cheering for the home team over the years with their dad.

The other night, I had to smile when I saw Tom in our living room, on his feet with excitement as he was riveted to the last few minutes of the Penguins game. I smiled because I was reminded of how much fun he has as a sports fan, especially as a hometown boy in the City of Champions. Tom is a real die-hard Pirates baseball fan, a devoted Penguins fan, and in the winter, of course, he’s a rabid Steelers fan!

Tom has always been my biggest cheerleader. He’s unfailingly supportive of my art career… but his favorite part of that is when I paint Pittsburgh sports scenes, teams, and players.

If your husband (or dad, or grandpa, or uncle…) is a Pittsburgh sports fan like Tom, one of my sports-themed paintings would make a perfect Father’s Day gift. CLICK HERE to check out all of my Pittsburgh Sports Scene prints that are for sale on this website.

For those of you who are local, ordering early ensures that I’ll have plenty of time to frame the print of your choice with a beautiful black and gold sports frame. You can even pick it up at my studio in Bethel Park, and I’ll personalize the back of the frame for your dear one and sign the glass in gold.

Meanwhile, if you’re going to be out and about this weekend, come see me at the Shadyside Arts and Crafts Festival on Walnut Street this Saturday and Sunday from 10 to 6 pm. (Visit my Calendar of Events page to learn more.) This is my second year at the May show. It’s a great excuse to take a day trip and enjoy the ambiance and the art. If you do come to visit, I’ll be happy to give you a virtual sneak peek at the progress on my new Santa’s Workshop painting. I am really excited about it… so please stop by! I would love to see you and maybe even sign and personalize one of my pieces for you.

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”.

Over the last three weeks, it seems like I’ve been all over the map, going everywhere and doing everything. And though I’ve been working on my latest Santa and the Forbes Hospital mural project, what’s keeping me so busy isn’t just painting… I have a whole lot of other stuff going on!

Lately it seems I’m constantly on the go – learning, fundraising, exhibiting at my museum show… and even tearing out walls! I’ve also been working on my garden between the spring showers.

Recently, I had the privilege to be the featured artist for the YMCA of Greater Pittsburgh’s biggest fundraiser of the year. This worthy cause supports Youth Development, Healthy Living and Social Responsibility on the North Side.

Then two weeks ago, I attended a conference in Jacksonville, Florida, where I learned ways that I can serve my customers better and how I can help make a difference in our world. Becky Auer, my travel partner (and previous owner of South Side restaurant Nakama), spoke from the stage about her daughter’s fight with Cystic Fibrosis and how it has influenced her business. She also shared some fun ideas for creating a happier work life.

Speaking of creating a happier work life, I also met Rick Harrison from Pawn Stars! I was impressed by his story of how he overcame the fear of epilepsy and built a career for himself doing what he loves.

Sounds pretty hectic, right? But I didn’t stop there! When I returned home, our family worked together to catalog 28 of my originals for my one-woman art and gift show at the John A. Hermann, Jr., Art Museum in Bellevue.

Last Friday was the artist reception, and I was thrilled at how many of you turned out for the evening! I had a chance to personally sign many pieces of my art work for customers. Everyone seemed to really enjoy themselves… even Santa himself, who was an unexpected visitor! You can catch the show on weekends from now until the end of June.

In the last week or two, I’ve also expanded my resume to include home remodeling! We’re fixing up our home in Brentwood so that Jon and Alyssa can move in as they await Aria’s birth, and this involved doing some serious demolition work in the kitchen area. The funny thing was that of the four of us who did the work, only Jim Walter from our church (First Bethel UMC) had any experience at all with demolition! But it ended up being fun, and working together was a great experience.

As if I didn’t sound busy enough, I actually have even more to share… but it will have to wait for another blog! I hope you have a great week, and I look forward to writing to you next time. Thanks again for being a faithful follower. Your support means a lot to me!

P.S. – Graduation Season is in full swing! Have I painted your child’s college or university? CLICK HERE to find out.

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”.