The New Pittsburgh Collection
“The Grand View of Pittsburgh”
“Ice Ball Treats with Gus and YiaYia”
“Sharing the Season at Market Square”

The New Kennywood Collection
“Laughing through Kennywood’s Le Cachot”
“Riding Kennywood’s Auto Race and Train”
“The Phantom of Lost Kennywood”

There’s a chill in the air this week, and you know what that means… the holidays are coming! This year’s new pewter Christmas ornaments are in from Wendell August Forge, and they look fantastic! It’s hard to believe it’s been five years since I partnered with the Forge to create handmade, uniquely crafted ornaments of my Pittsburgh and Kennywood paintings. Click here to see them on my website, or better yet, you can see them in person at the 44th Washington County Covered Bridge Festival. I will be exhibiting at the Ebenezer Covered Bridge in Mingo Creek County Park this Saturday and Sunday, September 20th and 21st from 10 to 5pm both days at Space #51.

I’m returning to the festival after a year’s absence – but I had a very good excuse for not participating in the show last year. It seems we had a wedding to attend… my younger daughter, Alyssa, married her wonderful and loving husband, Jon, that weekend. After a year, it’s like they’re still on their honeymoon, and we couldn’t be happier for them!

Because the festival is so competitive, I hated to drop out of the loop, and I called them begged to be “put on hold” for a year. Lucky for me, they were very understanding and invited me back for this year’s event. So that’s where I’ll be this weekend with a complete collection of my ornaments created by Wendell August Forge from all five years. So if you’re missing any from the series, this is a great chance to complete your set. If you come see me at the festival, I’ll be happy to hand sign and personalize each piece for you.

Why not take the time 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”.

I was surprised and pleased to see how many of my readers had guesses about the last-minute changes I made on my latest painting, “Winter’s Glow on Grant Street,”. The answers may not be what you expected!

The first change I made is that I “turned off the lights” on the second floor of the City-County Building. I felt that the lights drew the viewer’s eye away from the Courthouse, and because the painting is really all about the 125th anniversary of this remarkable building, I decided to exercise a little “artistic license!”

Number Two: The streetcars. The painting is set in 1984, a year after the building now called BNY Mellon Center (originally One Mellon Center) was built in 1983, and a year before the streetcars moved underground in 1985 to become Pittsburgh’s “T” subway/light rail system. The colors of the streetcars changed around this time, and for the definitive word on the trolley situation, I consulted Scott Becker, Executive Director of the Pittsburgh Trolley Museum. I had painted the cars maroon and grey for artistic reasons, although the tri-color cars had mostly replaced them by 1984. Scott suggested that I change at least one of the trolleys to a tri-color car, as the maroon-and-gray cars were almost gone by that time. So that’s why I changed the last streetcar in line to a tri-color. (I’m granting partial credit to readers who thought the front part of the tri-color streetcar was a British phone booth!)

Bonus points also go to those who pointed out the falling snow as another last-minute change. Technically, it wasn’t actually a change – when I paint a winter scene, adding the snow is always the final step. But to you, it was a new addition, and you sharp-eyed readers get props for noticing it!

The finished print is now available on my website. CLICK HERE to learn more. The holiday cards will be available soon from the American Cancer Society. They’ll have them available in a few days, and you can call them for an order form at 412-919-1100.

Now that my new painting is truly finished, I am taking a little time off to travel to Nashville to visit my mom – after such a hectic summer, I can really use some “Mom Time!” When I return, I’ll be finishing up a portrait I’m working on for a presentation. If I can get permission from my client, I’ll share the details with you in the coming weeks.

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”.

It really took a lot of concentration and hard work, but I have good news for you today! I just put down my last pastel stick and signed my new painting with a charcoal pencil, and tomorrow “Winter’s Glow on Grant Street” goes off to the printer. For the last several days, I’ve spent just about every waking minute in my studio putting the finishing touches on this painting, the latest in my Pittsburgh collection. And one of the things I’ve enjoyed the most in the creative process is having you with me throughout its evolution.

If you’re a true Pittsburgher, I think you can’t help but feel nostalgic when you walk in the “Winter’s Glow on Grant Street.” When I created it, I wanted to bring you back to a time when families would hop on a streetcar and take in the beautiful decorations downtown during the holiday season. You can almost feel the winter chill in the air as holiday shoppers cross the street to get a closer look at the wonderful tree in front of the City-County Building. And just down the block, the stately landmark Allegheny County Courthouse is aglow, with its light softly illuminating Grant Street.

Soon the original will be mounted in an elegant frame, and the archival giclee prints will be available to the public. It will also be available as this year’s holiday card to benefit the American Cancer Society (order them at 412-919-1100 and ask for the card by name).

All my prints are archival giclee prints, made with the highest quality paper and inks. The edition will be limited to 300 signed and numbered prints and 30 artist proofs (also signed and numbered). There will also be a limited edition of 50 larger artist-enhanced prints – each one personally highlighted by hand with my pastels. That means the total number of prints is less than the number of subscribers on my list, so don’t delay! This piece would be a perfect holiday print to adorn your walls or a lovely gift for a special someone.

PS – Here’s a challenge just for you! I made two significant changes to the painting at the very end (and I’ll tell you why next week!). If you can find my last-minute changes, email me at info@lindabarnicott.com.

Why not take the time 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”.

On this brilliant sunny late summer afternoon, I have to admit it feels a little weird to be painting bright and festive holiday décor and glittering lights with people bundled up against the cold! But that’s just typical on an artist’s schedule – in the summertime, I’m working hard at my easel, recreating the warm glow of the winter holidays. And when the snow flies, I’ll be dreaming of and painting lush green springtime landscapes!

As you know, I exhibited my original paintings at Shadyside: The Arts Festival On Walnut Street last weekend. It was a wonderful show, especially because so many friends and fans came out to see me. I loved talking with all of you and helping connect people with that special piece of art that was just right for them. I’m definitely looking forward to participating in the show again next year!

Now that the intensity of the Arts Festival is behind me, I’m back at my easel this week. If you look at the pictures above, you can see the progress I’ve made on my latest painting! I’m a little behind schedule because I was so busy with my big move and with the Festival, and I just started the actual pastels this week.

“Winter’s Glow on Grant Street” is this year’s subject for the American Cancer Society’s 2014 holiday card. I am honored to have been chosen to create these cards every year for the last 16 years. Imagine how gratifying it was to find out that the cards with my designs have raised over $750,000 for cancer research and prevention! It’s is amazing what a little holiday greeting can do for others. What a blessing!

Speaking of seasonal things… it’s Back-To-School time again for my daughter Alyssa – but this time she’ll be a teacher instead of a student. She is working as a Multi-Categorical with Autism Special Education Teacher at Upshur County Schools in West Virginia. Needless to say, I’m very proud of who she has become! I hope you’re enjoying this back-to-school season with your families!

Over time, we all have special loved ones who move away from “The Burgh” to find their destiny, and I think out of all expatriates, the ones most likely to be homesick are the former Pittsburghers! Many of my loyal customers purchase paintings and gifts from me because they say their distant loved ones really miss their hometown, and having a visual reminder brings them some joy until the next time they can visit. Some of my clients have even said they’ve given my Pittsburgh-themed prints and gifts as a not-so-subtle hint to remind the recipient of what they’re missing! Trust me, I have proof that it works!

So, if you are looking for something beautiful, a little extra something to decorate a dorm room or brighten up a new home far away, why not choose a piece of art that will remind them of you? And maybe even inspire them to come home more often? Check out the “Prints for Sale” or “Original Landscape Paintings for Sale” of my website for some really cool paintings and prints and look at the “Collectibles for Sale” section to find my line of unique collectibles that make great gifts.

If you want to receive information about all of my shows, my latest paintings and special offers only for subscribers, please take the time to sign up for my weekly newsletters. CLICK HERE to become a subscriber. When you 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 in Virginia this week for a little well-deserved rest and relaxation after our big move. Though I’m not officially “working” this week, I’d like to share with you some behind-the-scenes stories about one of my favorite Pittsburgh paintings.

Back in 1991, I spent a lot of time developing my painting “Sharing the Season at Market Square.” I remember going downtown on a cold, wintry Sunday morning to see freshly fallen snow in the square. My new painting was going to feature the Oyster House, Nicholas Tea and the 1902 building. When I arrived there it was totally devoid of activity except for a woman feeding the pigeons… not just a few birds, but what seemed like thousands of birds swirling all around her, competing for a taste of the delicious bread. I was so inspired by this scene that as soon as I returned home, I put Disney’s Mary Poppins into the VCR and sketched the Pigeon Lady from the song, “Feed the Birds.” One of our church friends posed for me as the Pigeon Lady, and beside her in the painting, my daughter Brittany appeared (first time ever in one of Mom’s paintings!) as a little girl helping her feed the birds.

If you look closely, you’ll also see my husband Tom conversing outside of the Oyster House with another gentleman – the husband of my Pigeon Lady model.

Another interesting fact about this painting is that I exercised creative license and actually removed an entire city block between Jenny Lee bakery and the 1902 Building so that the end of the square could be seen better. No one else has ever commented on the liberties I took with Market Square’s architecture except one man – the man who owned the building that I “edited out” of the painting! In fact, he told me with a smile, “I would have bought the print if my building was in it.”

Last month when I was exhibiting at the Westmoreland County Arts and Heritage Festival, I heard another story about this painting that I’m excited to share with you. What surprised me about it is how my painting affected so many people and became a part of their story.

Many years ago, there was a group of gentlemen, very close friends, who were fraternity brothers at Tau Kappa Epsilon. One of the brothers was drafted, and when he returned home safely, they all went down to the Oyster House in Market Square to celebrate. Every St. Patrick’s Day since then, they have continued that tradition. When my painting was released, each of the brothers bought one, and they even named a person in the painting after each one of them in their group.

It was so much fun for me to hear that my painting took on such a special meaning for them. It brings me great joy to hear the stories that my paintings inspire… over the years, many people have told me that a person in my painting looks just like their Uncle Joe or Aunt Jean. But this is the first time I’ve heard of an entire story created around one of my paintings. (Thank you so much, Tom and Roberta, for sharing this with me!)

To make sure you always receive the latest information about my new paintings or about special offers, please take the time to sign up for my weekly newsletters. CLICK HERE to become a subscriber. When you 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”.

Since I last wrote to you, I’ve been having an extremely busy week. Orders for my latest Kennywood print, “Showtime By Kennywood’s Paratrooper,” have been coming in daily. In fact, I’m delighted to say that about half of my artist-enhanced giclees of this print have already been sold. There are only 25 in all, so if this is a piece you’d like to own, please don’t wait. The regular giclee edition of 125 prints is also selling well. Click Here to purchase your print today!

Now that our move is behind us, I’m spending a lot of time in my new studio. You can see in the photo above where the art actually happens in my new space. On the right, you can see the desk that was made for me by my father. It was supposed to be my “over 40” desk! When I was 16, he built me this desk with a cabinet underneath where I could store my materials. However, as I got older, I found that I didn’t need the storage space as much as I needed the bottom to be open so I could fit my legs under the desk and avoid a lot of back pain! I cherish this desk and have created many paintings on it over the years.

But the big news this week is that I have a new work in progress – a new Pittsburgh subject! And yes, you are the first to see it. I usually don’t make my art public at this stage, but my subscribers get special privileges! Here’s where I am so far:

When I was inspired many years ago to paint this part of Grant Street, I created “Holiday Season on Grant Street,” showcasing the beautiful new creche, a replica of the one at the Vatican. Because the County Courthouse is celebrating its 125th anniversary this year, I thought it would be appropriate to paint this scene that’s been lurking in my memory for so long.

When I created this new painting, I tried to rekindle the Holiday Season of 1984 in my imagination, remembering walking the bustling downtown streets and admiring the beautiful decorations. In my mind, I’m on Grant Street, taking in the majestic tree and sparkling wreaths on the City County Building. Maybe I’ll even hop a streetcar and head up to the U.S. Steel building to see their huge spectacular tree created from as many as 100 individual trees… yet another of Pittsburgh’s wonderful holiday traditions.

I am actually behind schedule on painting this piece due to the move, so maybe I’ll bring it on vacation with me and finish it next week as Tom and I travel to Williamsburg, Virginia. I may have to set aside that novel I’m trying to finish!

To make sure you always receive the latest information about my new paintings, please take the time to sign up for my weekly newsletters. CLICK HERE to become a subscriber. When you 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”.

“Showtime By Kennywood’s Paratrooper” was unveiled to 200 attendees at the American Coaster Enthusiasts yearly KennyKon gathering at Kennywood Park on Sunday, July 27th.

Each and every one of my paintings has its own story – a unique history that usually is known only to my family. And today I’d like to share the story of my latest work with you!

Just like my other Kennywood paintings, “Showtime” was created by selecting elements that I like, choosing small features from what seemed like zillions of photographs. This allows me to compose the scene just as I imagined it, pulling in my favorite parts from photos taken at different times and from different viewpoints. It also gives me a lot of freedom in putting together design elements, getting just the right colors, lighting, and so on.

For example, if you look to the right of the Paratrooper, you’ll notice that the Kangaroo (one of my favorite rides!) appears in the background of the painting. However, in real life, from the point of view of this painting, it would be hidden behind huge trees. I didn’t care! I wanted to include The Kangaroo in this piece, so I took advantage of an opportunity to shoot some photos from the small grove of trees behind the Paratrooper. I then used that perspective to paint the Kangaroo where I needed it to be, slightly to the right of its actual location, nestled between some trees.

As I mentioned last week, Kennywood’s annual “Celebrate America” festival brings together talented entertainers from all over the country for this event. Because the area across from my booth is a crossroads in the park, I have the pleasure of enjoying having a front row seat for their shows. In a way, it often feels like they’re doing their show just for me! If you look to the right of the painting, you’ll see the amazing Howard Macone performing a magic act with crystal balls. It just so happened that on this day his two daughters were present, and I couldn’t resist using them as my models.

On the far left of the painting, you’ll see my daughter Alyssa with her husband and his nephew. This grouping was composed from two separate photos – one of Alyssa and Jon and a different photo of Jon and Julian – that were taken on different days (see below). For the second one, I asked Alyssa and Jon to pose as if he had his arm out and around his nephew. Then I simply painted Julian into the picture later!

We had a great time together at KennyKon (despite the stormy weather!), and many of the prints were sold. If you would like to get yours before they’re sold out, CLICK HERE to order one online today or call me at 1-888-PITT-ART or my local number, 412-283-4072. This is a small edition with only a total of 125 Giclee Prints and 25 Artist Enhanced Giclee Prints available… so don’t delay!

I hope you enjoyed this look into the creation of my newest painting!

To make sure you always receive the latest information about my new paintings, please take the time to sign up for my weekly newsletters. CLICK HERE to become a subscriber. When you 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 am loving my new studio here in Bethel Park! Things are finally beginning to settle down, but I do have some big news this week! My newest Kennywood painting, “Show Time by Kennywood’s Paratrooper” will debut at Kennywood this weekend at the American Coaster Enthusiasts yearly KennyKon gathering on July 27th.

Because you’re one of my loyal friends/fans and a reader of my weekly blog, you will truly be among the first to see the finished painting. Here are some pictures that show how it took shape.

Beginning on Sunday, you will be able order one of the small edition of 125 signed and numbered giclee prints or one of 25 artist-enhanced giclee prints, also signed and numbered, on my website. The regular edition is 12″ x 18″ and sells for $125.00. The artist-enhanced print is 14″x 21″ and sells for $300.00. And in case you’re interested in acquiring a work of art that will last a lifetime and beyond, the original painting is available for an investment of $3800.

Every year for the last 18 years during the Grand Victorian Festival (and now Celebrate America), my art booth has been located across from the Paratrooper. It has been a great pleasure for me to have Kennywood’s talented entertainers, who come together from around the country during this celebration, put on a show for me right in front of the booth.

So with all that inspiration, this painting is a piece I’ve wanted to create for years. There’s no one I know who doesn’t love the feeling of riding the Paratrooper with the wind in your face, trying to reach the trees with your feet as you fly through the sky – that’s my favorite part! And in the background, you can see another one of my favorite rides peeking through the trees. The Kangaroo is a perfect family ride for all age… I love that feeling in your stomach as the car drops over the rise… and especially the fun of trying to squish the person who’s sitting on the end!

I hope you enjoy my new painting of “Show Time at Kennywood’s Paratrooper.” I hope it evokes as many happy memories for you as it does for me.

PS – Click here to order your print of “Show Time By Kennywood’s Paratrooper,” or simply email me at info@lindabarnicott.com or call my new business number, 412-283-4072, or my toll-free line at 888-748-8278 (888-PITT-ART).

Prints will be sold on a first-come basis. It’s a very small edition, so don’t miss out!!

It’s been a tremendously busy couple of weeks, and I’m really enjoying a few minutes of peace and quiet to sit down at my computer and write to you today. As we get settled into our new home and my new studio takes shape, I’m ready to get back to some serious painting!

A friend of mine came over yesterday, and starting at 9:30 this morning, we spent the entire day hanging ALL of my paintings. We made this house into a home (and an art gallery!) in one short day. I’ll spend a few more hours tweaking my studio set-up to get it just the way I like it, but my mission this weekend is going to be a big push to finish my new painting, “Showtime by Kennywood’s Paratrooper.” I’ll be ready to show you some photos next week.

In the meantime, I will be hard at work in the studio for the next three weeks or so, then I’m rewarding myself with a short vacation in the second week of August. If you need any art, or just want to stop by my new studio, just give me a call at 1-888-PITTART.