Hi, it’s Linda!
It was 29 years ago that I called John DeSantis of the Pittsburgh Home and Garden Show to inquire about becoming a vendor for the upcoming year. To my surprise, he had actually heard of me, and from that moment on treated me as if I were one very special person!
The year before, Tom and I were taking in the show on the old Convention Center second floor, where we came across a friend whose gallery had carried my art. He told us that I should set up at the show and ask to be on the second floor and not the third floor where the other artists were located. He said it was hot up there, and people who made it up to the third floor were often hot and tired (if they made it up there at all).
So, as per his suggestion, the following year, I set up my booth on the second floor between Bathtubs and Windows. I had the best neighbors, too!
People seemed to enjoy having something different to look at besides garage doors and patio furniture, and it became my spring home for 28 years. I have loved being a part of it and have always considered it my favorite show!
But as they say, some chapters in life must end for new chapters to begin. This year, Tom and I will be vendors at two home shows: the Montour Home Show this weekend, and the South Hills Home Show next weekend. Although these shows are only three days each, together they add up to six of the ten days we would otherwise be set up downtown.
What also sealed the deal for us is that parking and admission are FREE for all of my friends/collectors. It’s not as big a show, and we hope our folks will be able to see everything and swing back without getting exhausted!
This will be our first time exhibiting at these shows, and we’re looking forward to hearing your impressions. So, if you happen to be in the area, we would love to have you stop by!
I’ll be showcasing my new painting for the 250th Anniversary of the United States of America, “Our Lady of Liberty,” with five prints available for the show. I’ll also have a few smaller mini-prints and the first sample of the new ornament of the piece (which is almost perfect). I’ll have the finished ornaments next weekend at the South Hills Home Show, but you can order them this weekend. Proceeds will go to the Bethel Park Community Foundations.
I hope my fully stocked booth will reveal the perfect gift of art for a special occasion in your life!
Before I go, I did want to mention one other thing… Many of you who know me are aware that I have roots as a portrait artist, and every January I like to pick something to paint as a warm-up for my painting season. Last year, it was a beach scene from Portugal. As I was looking at my photos of Puerto Rico from this year’s trip, I picked out a few options. But then I explored even farther back in my pics and came across a favorite photo of my eldest granddaughter, Aria Grace.
Her expression was perfect, and I knew immediately what I was going to paint. I had a little piece of extra museum board, just an 8×10” piece. Then I sat down, and over the next week, I played. Her face is no bigger than 3 inches from the top of her head to her chin. I truly loved painting her. I hope you enjoy my soft pastel work. Here are the original resource photo and the finished painting.
