Can you believe it’s going back down into single digits again this week? I guess that’s what you get when they let a stupid rodent predict 6 more weeks of winter weather!

I know I’m really tired of the snow and ice and cold temperatures by mid-Feburary, and I’ll bet you are too! Luckily, I have a surefire way to cure my winter blues by getting ready for the Pittsburgh Home and Garden Show. All my show preparations remind me that Spring is just around the corner – from ordering the U-Haul to writing the checks for my booth carpeting and electrical service, to ordering my framing and giftware. Because I know that in a couple short weeks, I’ll be surrounded by signs of the coming season.

I’m proud to say that 2015 marks my 20th anniversary as an exhibitor at the Home and Garden Show, but I’ll never forget my first time all those years ago! Back then, the show was held in the old convention center, and my booth was on the second floor. Other artists and galleries were located on the third floor, but I’d heard it on good authority that folks often never made it up to the third floor, and if they did, by that time they were tired and grumpy!

So I requested my space on the second floor… which means I was placed right there between windows and bathtubs. That just meant I had to work extra hard to get the people who were looking at home improvements to notice me! Sometimes I would even dance in the aisle to attract people to come over and see my booth.

The result was that I had fun and learned a lot about the ins and outs of exhibiting in a big show. It was my first experience as an artist meeting so many people in a short period of time, and it was a life-changing experience for a young artist out on her own. I fell in love with the show, and to this day, it’s my favorite show of the year.

As I mentioned, the 2015 Home and Garden Show is extra special to me, as it’s my 20th anniversary year. So get ready – I’ll be making a Super Special Home and Garden Show offer for my favorite clients (that would be YOU!). Save the dates – March 6th through the 15th – and come visit me at Booth #3146-3148. Let’s see if we can defy the groundhog and bring spring back to Pittsburgh a couple weeks sooner!

Be one of the first to hear about my Super Special Home and Garden Show offer for my favorite clients by taking the time now to sign up for my weekly newsletters now. As a subscriber you will receive information about all of my appearances, my latest paintings and special offers only for subscribers! 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, it’s too early for the first robin, and the days are still short and cold. But I’m feeling warmer already because last night I attended an event that to me is the “First Sign of Spring”.

Every February for the last 20 years, I’ve attended a meeting for exhibitors at the Pittsburgh Home and Garden Show. I think I must be the only veteran of the show who actually turns up every year for this meeting! In fact, I’ve heard it so many times I could probably offer Executive Director John DeSantis some assistance in delivering the program. It’s really intended for newbies exhibiting at the Home Show for the first time, but I attend every year because I find it so inspiring and energizing. Every year I get more great ideas on how to make the next show better than the last.

The show is located at the David L. Lawrence Convention Center and runs from Friday, March 6th until Sunday, March 15th. With over 10 acres of exhibits, this will be the biggest year ever! My booth will be in my usual spot (#3146-8) at the end of the aisle near the escalators.

I’m doing something new this year – a special wall featuring smaller giclees of many of my pieces. These are the very same prints I approved at the printers before the edition run. These are truly one-of-a-kind pieces, real artists’ proofs, each one unique. They’ll be available on a first-come, first-served basis, so be sure to come early in the show if you want to see them! Of course, as always, I’ll have my full line of art and gifts that I’ll be happy to personalize for you.

Because 2015 marks my 20th year as an exhibitor, I will be featuring some special offers and promotions to celebrate. Just follow my weekly emails for the latest and greatest. For my out-of-town friends, don’t worry! I’ll have an online special just for you… so stay tuned!

PS – There are only 3 spots left for my art classes next month, so don’t delay! The class is a soft pastel workshop hosted at my studio in Bethel Park. Classes will begin on Monday, March 23rd and will run for 5 weeks from 7 to 9 pm, plus a half hour before and after for set-up and clean-up. The cost is $30.00 per class and a total of $150.00 for all 5 classes. There will be a makeup class on May 11th if you miss one. A list of required art supplies will be sent out a few weeks prior to class. Call me at 1-888-PITT-ART (1-888-748-8278) or email me at info@lindabarnicott.com to register.

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 my relaxing Florida vacation, I’ve had a busy week of catching up, and at last things are more or less back in order here in my studio. I have just a few more orders to fill, some loose ends to wrap up, and I’ll be ready to jump back into creating new art and launching new projects. 2015 promises to be a very busy year full of exciting challenges and new and different paths to follow.

As I mentioned last week, I’m really excited about the Forbes Hospital history wall project. It’s thrilling to take on a commission like this – so meaningful to the hospital and the community, and certainly on a grander scale than anything I’ve ever done. In the coming weeks, I’ll be laying the groundwork for this very big (literally!) project.

I’m also beginning a new portrait commission. And later this year, I’m starting a completely new series of paintings… but you’ll have to wait to hear the details!

Speaking of future projects, can you believe the Pittsburgh Home and Garden Show is just around the corner? It will be held at the Pittsburgh Convention Center, Downtown Pittsburgh March 6th thru the 15th. Yes, spring is coming!

So here’s the big news I can’t wait to share with you this week – In the spring (after I recover from the Home Show!), I will be offering art classes. The first class will be a group format and will run five weeks on Monday evenings from March 23rd to April 20th. Classes will be approximately two hours plus an extra half hour or so before and after for set-up and tear-down.

In these classes, you’ll have the opportunity to draw and paint with soft pastels. It doesn’t matter if you’re a beginner to pastels (or if you’ve never painted anything other than an apartment), or if you’re a veteran artist who would enjoy a fun and relaxing night out. We won’t be painting “with a twist,” but I can offer you some of the best tea, coffee and cocoa in town!

You decide what you want to paint – portraits or pets, landscapes or cityscapes… and I’ll be there to help guide you through the entire creative process. n the first class, we’ll all paint the same piece from photographs, but after that, you can bring your own resources or use some of mine. The cost for this introductory series will be $30.00 per class, and I’ll provide you with a supply list so you can come prepared. I’ll also have a Pastel Bar available if you need a color you don’t have.

Class size will be limited. If you’re interested, please call me (412-283-4072) or send me an email at info@lindabarnicott.com.

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”.

Happy New Year from my studio to your home! I hope your holidays were filled with joy, and if you gifted a loved one with my art, I hope they enjoyed it.

I just got back from my much-needed vacation in Destin and Panama City Beach, Florida. We actually had a few 20 degree nights, but that was still better than your single-digit days!

In the spirit of really getting away from it all, this was a non-painting vacation, but I couldn’t help myself, imagining all sorts of painting adventures for another day. Some of you have mentioned that I should paint Florida, and I have in the past; for example, one of my favorite paintings is “Sea Oats at Hillsboro Lighthouse,” which you can check out on my website, by clicking here.

But that’s not the BIG NEWS! What I really can’t wait to tell you about is taking on my Biggest Project Ever (and I mean that literally)! I’ve been chosen by Forbes Hospital to create the art work for their history wall. This commission has been in the works for quite some time, and we got the greenlight right before Christmas!

I’ll be meeting soon with Forbes CEO Reese Jackson to discuss what will be featured in the painting, including the history and vision of Forbes Hospital and its relationship to the community, its volunteers and supporters, and its interfaith ministries. I will be painting it with my pastels at one-quarter size, but the final project will be 10′ x 40′,” making it truly the Biggest Project I’ve ever done! I hope you’ll send positive thoughts and prayers for me as I create this wonderful piece of local history.

Best to you in the New Year!

Why not take the time now to sign up for my weekly newsletters now. As a subscriber you will receive information about all of my appearances, my latest paintings and special offers only for subscribers! 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”.

Time flies, and I here I am down at the Holiday Market in Market Square as we go into our final week. We close up shop on December 23rd, just in time to spend the holidays with family and friends. And not a moment too soon… I’ve been teasing Tom that he’ll need to reintroduce me as the minister’s wife when I return to our new church on Christmas!

Today I opened early at the chalet so I could be interviewed by KDKA’s Jon Burnett for the show Pittsburgh Live Today. It was a great interview and really showed off my art to its best advantage! Then after Jon and I were finished, I was interviewed by Rick Dayton for the KDKA Noon News. It was quite an ego boost to see myself on the news twice in one day!

One of my favorite parts of the interview was sharing what a wonderful asset the Holiday Market has been for our Pittsburgh community and what a unique and festive attraction it is for local families and for visitors to our city from all across the country, and even around the world!

This has been my third year at the Holiday Market, and I think it’s the best one yet! I’ve had happy reunions with old friends and made many new ones. If you haven’t had the opportunity to experience Santa’s House and the many beautiful and festive chalets with holiday merchandise from many lands, hurry on down to Market Square… and don’t forget to drop by and say hello! I’ll have just what you need for that perfect Pittsburgh gift!

Wishing a happy holiday to you and yours!

Make sure you are the first to know about all of my holiday 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 you may have guessed from the subject line, I have some interesting stories to share with you this week!

As we enter the home stretch to Christmas and Hanukkah, I’m touched and humbled by the number of visitors to the Pittsburgh Holiday Market who are aware of my artwork. I’m also blessed with many friends and family members who are willing to help out at my little chalet in Market Square. Thanks to them, I’m able to take a break when needed to warm up and have a little something at the nearby Dunkin’ Donuts.

However, my occasional absences have led to some very odd conversations back at the chalet…

For example, now I understand how Mark Twain felt when he said “the reports of my death are greatly exaggerated,” because twice now this year I’ve been given up for dead!

For example, one deeply concerned woman approached my friend Katie at the chalet, asking in a hushed whisper, “Is she still with us?” Katie assured her that I was… though if I keep taking my breaks in a donut shop, I may be tempting fate!

On another occasion, a man approached my daughter, Brittany, and said, “I heard Linda died in a plane crash.” Flabbergasted, she assured the good gentleman that I was still very much alive and that she had just spoken with me on the phone. “Are you sure?” he asked. Britt just smiled.

It’s funny how people you haven’t met hear about you and picture you in their imaginations. When I was younger, most people who met me imagined me as taller and older. Of course, now that I’m in my 50s, they only say that they thought I would be taller! Though I am indeed older (but still quite short!), I’m thrilled to be at Market Square this season, meeting folks from all over Pittsburgh, the United States… and even the world.

If you haven’t had a chance this season to visit the Holiday Market at Market Square and see all the wonderful chalets (and Santa!), I hear this coming weekend is going to be sunny and the temps will be rising. I would really love to see each and every one of you!

May your days be filled with joy!

Why not take the time now to sign up for my weekly newsletters now. As a subscriber you will receive information about all of my appearances, my latest paintings and special offers only for subscribers! 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”.

Thanksgiving has always been my favorite holiday. Every year, I take this time to reflect on how thankful I am for the blessings in my life.

It’s also my time to give back to you for being there for me. As a special thank-you to my loyal friends and fans, I’m offering a special gift – for this weekend only, everything on my website is 10% off with FREE shipping over $100.00 for art prints and giftware!

This is the perfect time to get started on your holiday shopping with a special gift that will remind your loved ones of happy memories and time spent together… a gift that will last a lifetime! Or why not treat yourself to a holiday-themed print or a beautiful ornament to brighten your home?

Gobble Sale Weekend starts tonight at midnight and lasts through Monday midnight. That’s just 5 days to take advantage of this offer – 10% off and FREE shipping for orders over $100!

Don’t miss out on my biggest sale of the holiday season! Your savings will automatically appear when you check out between midnight tonight and midnight on Monday, December 1st. No coupon codes to enter! CLICK HERE to begin your shopping.

Happy Thanksgiving to you and your family!

Why not take the time to sign up for my weekly newsletters now. As a subscriber you will receive information about all of my fall and holiday appearances, my latest paintings and special offers only for subscribers! 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”.

Sorry, but I have to take the blame for this recent cold snap! I admit that I asked Santa to bring some frosty weather and snow to get everyone thinking about the holidays, and he came through for me just in time to launch the season’s festivities. Can you believe that Thanksgiving is next week? It won’t be long before the jolly old man from the North Pole will be visiting all the girls and boys (except maybe the naughty ones, but I’m sure you’re not one of them!).

This is an exciting weekend for me as we kick off the holiday season downtown. Tonight is the soft opening of one of my favorite events of the season, the Holiday Market in Market Square. In fact, by the time you read this, my elves will be helping me set up for the Market’s opening. My Chalet will be open for business for the whole holiday season. Visit my Calendar of Events section to learn more.

Then comes Pittsburgh’s Light-Up Night! This year instead of being inside PPG staying warm, I will be outside at my Chalet, enjoying the festivities with all of you who brave the cold to come downtown and launch “Sparkle Season.”

So zip up your jacket and put on your hat and gloves and come see me at my Chalet in Market Square! If you bring along your gift list, I’ll be happy to personalize each one of your holiday purchases with your loved ones’ names at no extra cost.

Make sure you are the first to know about all of my holiday 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”.

My holiday whirl has already begun! At this time of year, you can expect to find me all over the map, meeting and greeting, chatting and laughing with shoppers and art lovers, friends old and new. Needless to say, it’s my favorite time of year.

All these holiday activities and shows bring back memories of Christmas 1989, the year when I painted “Meet Me Under Kaufmann’s Clock.” It was the first building I ever painted, and it launched my career as a Pittsburgh artist. And now here we are at its 25th anniversary! Tom and I were stunned at the number of prints that were sold in those months leading up to the holidays. In fact, one day we were riding in the car together, when out of the blue, Tom asked, “I wonder how many people are going to wake up Christmas morning to have a Linda Barnicott Christmas?” It was a weird feeling to hear my name used as an adjective… but I must admit I liked the sound of it!

Now it’s 25 years later, and as I look back on that moment, I think about how blessed I have been to have had the opportunity to bring joy to others through my art… reminding folks of special places and precious moments in life that they’ve shared together. Because I’m able to use my gifts as an instrument to bring happiness into the lives of others, I consider myself a fortunate soul!

So if you happen to cross paths with me during my holiday season travels, I would love it if you would stop by, say hello, and share a story of good cheer.

In case you were wondering where you might find me in the upcoming weeks:

~ I’ll be exhibiting at the US Steel Tower in Downtown, Pittsburgh on the Concourse level on Friday, November 14th from 7 a.m. to 2 p.m.

~ Next week, I’ll have a booth at Duquesne University’s Gallery of Gifts in the Student Union Building on Tuesday and Wednesday, November 18th and 19th from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.

~ And starting next Thursday evening (November 20th) and all the way up to Christmas Eve, I can be found at the Holiday Market in Market Square – also located in Downtown, Pittsburgh. If you’re Downtown, please stop and chat a while… it helps me keep warm!

Check out my Calendar of Events to learn more.

Make sure you are the first to know about all of my holiday 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”.