Day 7 Discovering Pennsylvania's Route 6 - Painting in Corry

I need to add something very important to my Day 6 report that meant a lot to me.

It was Tuesday morning, 8 a.m., bright and early on our first day back in Meadville and Tom and I had a special appointment with George Nowack. He was picking us up to accompany him to the studio of COOL 101.7 WMVL FM for his Tuesday morning radio show.

Yep, George has a segment on the local classic rock station to promote his work on the Rt. 6 Artisan Trail.

The host, Dave was really “cool” and made me feel quite at home on the show. He asked lots of questions about my career and I had an opportunity to tell the Linesville/Meadville/Corry areas about my role in our project of documenting PA Route 6 through paintings. Thanks Dave and George for the opportunity to tell my story!

Now, back to the road.

Day 6 Discovering Pennsylvania's Route 6 - Painting day!

Today was the day!

I started painting in Meadville at the historic Market House! 

Tom and I arrived at 10 a.m. and started unpacking my mountain of art supplies. As if to reinforce our “peddler appearance” the first person passing by asked what we were selling. Well, that was the start of a day full of observer’s stopping by - painters, musicians, photographers and folks just interested in what was going on. George met us and introduced us to a delightful pair - Alice who ran the Market House and Cindy who owned the Market House Grill. There was a palpable excitement in the air.

I started with a sketch I actually developed at home from last week’s photo shoot. Once I set up my pastels I painted a watercolor “under painting” to set the values. One of the nearby business residents, Curt, stopped by and expressed his thoughts on his location on the street and how he is hoping for a renaissance in this part of Meadville. He became one of my favorite people to talk to. During his lunch break on this 90 degree day, he brought Tom and me wonderfully cold Frosties from Wendy’s. Very refreshing! 

Day 5 Discovering Pennsylvania's Route 6

After painting for a few hours at Arvgarden, we went into Wellsboro and walked around this lovely town. We were told the old elm tree by the Courthouse was the oldest and the largest in the state of Pennsylvania and it is very beloved.

Though speculators have recently said they may have found an orphan tree in the woods outside of town that maybe older, we’ll give this tree its due today. The way I see it, it is pretty awesome to have both trees within the Wellsboro limits.  

In the park across from the courthouse is the famous Wynken, Blynken and Nod statue with a nameplate of the children’s nursery rhythm. Turning around and looking beyond the park, it’s clear that Wellsboro has a wonderful main street.

On Central Avenue there is a sweet, very crowded little café, Native Bagel, with some really great food. It had  homemade chocolate cake with peanut butter icing to die for. So much for watching what I eat!

Of course our drive to Wellsboro had to include Pennsylvania’s Grand Canyon about ten miles out of town. As we got closer the paved roads became gravel and was at times a little scary. It was worth the drive though. The view was magnificent. It was so green, filled with trees, and ran so very deep. If they only had the right size in the gift store, I would have walked away with a tee shirt. 

We left the Grand Canyon of PA and stopped in Port Allegheny to see a really quaint diner we had seen on the way to Wellsboro. It was bright red and just begged to be photographed. I wish it was open to find out more about it. It’s name was "The Diner," of course.. 

Day 4 Discovering Pensylvania's Route 6

Avrgarden was amazing. 

Let me tell you more.

We were on our way to Wellsboro and there was a lot to be excited about. I was finally going to meet Malerie Yolen-Cohen, a freelance writer who has written for many magazines including National Geographic. She is currently on a 6 week trip across the United States documenting the many fascinating people and places found along on Route 6. Her blog, entitled “Stay on Route 6,” is a most enjoyable read and well worth a look. 

Our paths were to cross in Wellsboro and we were going to meet for dinner at a wonderful restaurant called “Timeless Destination.”  As luck would have it, this fine eatery was hosting volunteers from the American Cancer Society as servers, with all tips being donated to the Relay for Life. It was a great night to be there.

Prior to that we needed to check into a special place called Arvgarden, a 130 acre Swedish sheep farm that’s also a B&B. 

Day 3 Discovering Pennsylvania's Route 6

Warren is a really nice town, very picturesque with lots to do. One of the first sites is the beautiful bridge that spans the Allegheny River and is a modern replica of the original bridge. On the one side is the tree-lined Crescent Park and the other side its old fashion, yet vibrant business district.

The center of attention in its business district is a majestic triangular building named The Point with its new fountain. The fun part of the sculptured fountain is the bird at the top facing the heavens as water is released through its beak.

The neighborhood is wonderful to walk through. Stately homes and quaint Victorians are common place while buildings like the Library Theater, the County Court and several churches only add to their grandeur.

Eating at the Plaza Restaurant takes you back to another time. Resembling a diner inside with the mirrors and a nostalgic ambience, it is definitely a hopping place where the locals get together and pass the time away while enjoying great food.

You will definitely see more than one painting of this fine town.

After leaving Warren we stopped in the town of Sheffield. As I was taking a photo down the street of some obviously historic buildings, a fellow stood in the middle of the road and posed for me.

I couldn’t resist talking to him.

Day 2 Discovering Pennsylvania's Route 6

Day two of “Discovering Pennsylvania’s Route 6” started with meeting 3 really awesome women at the Higher Education Building in downtown Corry.

Lori Trisket is the executive director of the Chamber of Commerce, Pam Carrier is executive director of Community Development and Wendy Netters is the President of the Corry Art Guild. All were very gracious with their time and thoughts as they took us around town to see the highlights.

Across the street from the Higher Education Building (formerly a hotel) is a beautiful city park, well loved and used by the community. We then visited Meade Park towards the outskirts of town where many young couples come for photos after their wedding ceremony. Its beautiful lake and stone walking bridge is perfect for any special occasion.

Soon we were off to the oldest and longest-operating Fish Hatchery in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. I found a wonderful view to paint towards the back of the property. It was the edge of a hatchery building that reflected in a pool of water left behind by the recent heavy rains.

The colors of the surrounding woods and sunlight made it an unforgettable scene.

We stopped by a B&B called "Victoria on Main" and met Kathy, the innkeeper to this marvelous Victorian Inn, which has graced Corry since 1867. Corry has so much history it will be a pleasure to paint and capture these memories.

Discovering Pennsylvania's Route 6 Artisan Trail - First Day Out

The weather was rainy, but it did not diffuse the excitement of hopping into our gas efficient Camry hybrid and heading north to Meadville. After a long morning in which we finished up some work and packed, we finally headed out having no clue where the day was going to lead nor where we were going to sleep.

We passed Grove City and I quietly waved as we whizzed past the exit for Wendall August Forge. I definitely have a warm spot in my heart for that company, no wait, it's more like a family, who have embraced my work and have created beautiful metal ornaments of my artwork.

As we entered Meadville's Market House I felt as if I was walking back into a simplier time. It was a wonderful collection of artist's work, gifts that were extrodinary, and foods and soaps that were created with health in mind.

As Tom looked at boxes of old records and I purchased a couple bottles of locally-produced pop,  I heard a familiar voice draw me from my thoughts.

Who is that Linda Barnicott anyway?

 

I hope you enjoy the show!

 

Please leave me a comment and let me know what you think!

Best kept secret unleashed...

A lot of people ask me when and how I started painting Pittsburgh. I can not believe it was so long ago now -- September 1989.

When I was a very young girl, I loved to draw people's faces. There was something about the eyes that spoke to me. Some people say the eyes are the mirror of the soul. I loved drawing portraits, being quiet and shy, it was my way of communicating with those I loved. All I knew at the time was whenever I gifted someone with a portrait, they would smile and be happy. The feeling of making someone happy made me want to do another portrait and another.

As I grew older, people would give me tips for painting their families and friends. After I married my wonderful husband Tom, those dollars would help pay for something for our apartment or to go away.

I had made a relationship with the owner of Kustom Korner Gallery and would sit in front of the store and paint portraits. She would mat and frame them. One day, her husband asked if I would paint a streetcar in a downtown scene. He said even if he didn't think it would sell, he would put the original in the window of the gallery after it was done.

I decided on painting the corner of Kaufmann's because it was my old bus stop and being fairly new to Pittsburgh, I was realizing for generations everyone met under the Kaufmann's Clock.

The best kept secret?

I had never painted a building in my life.

People many, but buildings, not a one. Fortunately for me, I lived next door to my first mentor, Gary Dimmick ( he was passed on to Glory at the young age of 49). Gary would spend hours with me teaching me perspective, so that Kaufmann's wouldn't look like it was falling down. He was a great teacher, and I am happy to say I now have over 50 pieces in print.

I love painting memories of Pittsburgh and now across country. I am very blest to still hear stories of how my work has made someone happy.

I would love to hear your story of a place that I have painted and what makes it special for you.

Television magic

Watch as my painting magically transforms from sketch to finished product.

First Steps to Documenting the PA Route 6 Artisan Trail

This was written this morning by George Nowack in response to our conversation yesterday afternoon. He can say it much better than me.

Friends, 

I am delighted to share that Linda Barnicott has started the “homework assignment” which I suggested she follow. As indicated in the February, 2011 PA ROUTE 6 ARTISAN TRAIL NEWSLETTER, Linda will be following the Trail and creating original artworks representing various scenic/historic aspects of the Trail. All this is one part of the overall vision to develop the rich cultural and historical aspects of the entire region.

George P. Nowack

PA Route 6 Aritsan Trail Coordinator 

excerp from the newsletter....

THE TRAIL GETS A PAINT JOB

Nationally known artist, Linda Barnicott has chosen to capture, as her next series of paintings, various spots along the PA Route 6 Artisan Trail. Barnicott, best known for her nostalgic scenes of Pittsburgh, and most recently her rendition of Conneaut Lake Park’s Blue Streak, has captured with pastels, places which tug at the memories and heart strings of all who view them.

Her rendition of the Kaufmann’s Clock in 1989 started her on the road to notoriety. She was the official artist of the 1996 Three Rivers Regatta and since 1998 has been commissioned by the American Cancer Society of Greater Pittsburgh to create the painting used on their annual Christmas Card. Recently, she has teamed up with Wendell August to create ornaments of her Pittsburgh scenes, with three new designs minted each year from 2010 through 2014.    

Taking some well-deserved time off, Linda has begun work on what she calls “Plein Air Landscapes.” She has volunteered to produce a group of paintings depicting spots on Pennsylvania’s Artisan Trail, which will become a traveling exhibit, hosted by the hubs on the trail and eventually being exhibited in other states.

Linda is the first among a group of Artists who have volunteered their time and talents to develop the concept of a dynamic and all-inclusive documentary of the cuture, heritage, and Arts which flourish along the Trail (first mentioned in last month's Newsletter.

Follow her journey in the monthly newsletter of the PA Route 6 Artisan Trail.

 

I am new to blogging

I am new to blogging, but I have a story to tell, actually I have quite a few stories to tell and I hope you will join me on my journey as I get to know this tool and use it to tell them.

I am a Pittsburgh artist and in a few weeks I will start a quest to travel across PA Route 6 and document our lovely state in soft pastels. I have a year to finish approximently 20 paintings for a show next summer in Conneaut.

If you have any favorite places you would like me to stop at and possibly paint, please let me know.

Thank you.
Linda Barnicott