CELEBRATE LOVE!

(Web Site Updated: FEBRUARY 2010)

"To the world you may be just one person, but to one person you may be the world." ~ Josephine Billings

NOTE: Because of February and Valentine's Day, HEARTS & LOVE are featured in all the quotes.

February 14th is the PERFECT holiday to honor the ones we love!

It’s a day for remembering how lucky we are, sharing our warmest thoughts, and going the extra mile to bring a smile to our sweetheart's lips.

Whether you treat your sweetie to a grand evening on the town or a cozy little picnic in front of the fire, Valentine's Day was created to lift our hearts!

THANK YOU SO MUCH!

I'm so grateful to all of you who stopped by my booth at fairs and gift events throughout the 2009 holiday season. It was a treat to see each and every one of you, share my work, and hear what you've all been up to. Thanks so much for your very generous and kind support.

And for all of you who found me on the web, it was great to hear from you, too ~ especially those who grew up in Spokane, moved away, and found yourself touched by the memories some of these paintings stir. My “Magical Spokane Memories” calendar was a real favorite this year. I'm so glad you enjoyed it!

HAPPY VALENTINE'S DAY!

HOW TO NAVIGATE AROUND MY WEB SITE ~

LINKS ~ The "buttons" at the top left of each page move you from one page to another. Bold red words in text sections (i.e. Biography) link you as well.

POP-UPS ~ Each painting/drawing is linked to a larger pop-up image ~ click in the center of each to see it.

NEW! "KITTIEWINKS AT THE CAMPBELL HOUSE" ~ Portrait of our Kitties, Andy & Sophie at the Magnificent Mansion in Spokane

As “empty nesters,” Andy and Sophie are our “kids.” Six years ago Christmas, we adopted these two friendly little balls of fur from our friend, Lisa James.

As kittens, they began their lives with Lisa's mother in California. Later on, when they needed a new home, Doug and I were delighted to have them share our "digs." They're a welcome addition!

Brother and sister, they are half Siamese/half Burmese. We love these little guys, and they've given us hours of entertainment with their dramatically different personalities. Andy is ALL boy at a lumbering 22 pounds ~ and Sophie, a princess with her prancing gait and diminutive 10 pounds!

This artwork is the fifth painting in my Campbell House Collection. Click on my Spokane page or Browne's Addition pdf to see four other paintings of this historic restored mansion, which is part of the MAC (Northwest Museum of Art & Culture). You'll find Andy and Sophie in all of them!

Titles include:

• "Touring the Campbell House (1994) ~ The first painting I did of the Kirtland Cutter designed family three-story home
• "Christmas at the Campbell House" (2001) ~ The library decorated festively for the holidays
• "Helen's Blue Bedroom" (200?) ~ Only daughter Helen's feminine room overlooking the Spokane River
• NEW! "Delightful Dining at the Campbell House" (2009) ~ The formal dining room with a Valentine's Day theme (see it on my What's New page)

After budget cuts in 2009, the Campbell House is once again open to the public for tours. Visit the MAC web site for all the details: www.northwestmuseum.org.

Several more painting of this remarkable setting are planned for a book I'm working on, "Andy & Sophie Visit the Campbell House." It will feature the collection of mansion paintings, historical tidbits, the kitties (of course!) ~ and will be designed to appeal to folks of all ages.

To see more artwork in honor of Valentine's Day, kitties and this frosty time of year, visit my What's New page. The "KIND HEARTS & KITTIEWINKS" collection features 14 (6 NEW!) paintings from settings all over Washington State, Whistler, B.C. and Carefree, Arizona. Themes include:

• Happy Hearts Day
• Cozy Kitties
• Winter Wonderland

HEARTS & FLOWERS AT THE WARD HOUSE

I LOVE to decorate for the seasons ~ no secret to everyone who knows me ~ including my husband, Doug, who built walls of shelves in the garage to house my seasonal decorations.

My mother, Sally, shared this tradition with us kids growing up in Spokane. She usually corralled all of us into the process ~ and was always making something! She has a fine creative “eye” and still enjoys dressing up her home for each of the holidays. At 83 going on 35 ~ she's a true inspiration.

We all look forward to the changing of the seasons in the Northwest ~ and with Seattle's somewhat gloomy weather this time of year, Valentine's Day is a welcome celebration.

Surrounded by hearts and flowers, the couches are topped of by our special handmade tapestry kitty pillows in honor of Sophie (Marie "Mew" Antoinette) and Andy (Henry the "Fat Kitty" VIII)

To see more, click on the image above or on Our Home pdf).

WELCOME ~ You're here!

WHAT'S NEW ~ "KIND HEARTS & KITTIEWINKS" ~ Visit this page to see my collection of 14 paintings (6 NEW!) honoring Valentine's Day, kittycats, winter in the Pacific Northwest ~ and more!

CALENDAR ~ SORRY! 2010 CALENDARS ARE NEARLY SOLD OUT! This page pictures the artwork described below:

• Historic Snohomish Houses (A HANDFUL LEFT!) ~ As you can see by the painting and story above, probably the greatest "natural resource" in this charming destination is its historic residences. This 2010 calendar celebrates 12 of these: the Harmon House, Blackman House, Hansen House, Pillows & Platters B&B (once the Methodist parsonage), Jordan House, Hill House and a half a dozen more. 10 of the paintings featured in this edition are NEW!
• Celebrating the Eastside (Volume IV) (SORRY, SOLD OUT!) ~ This is my fourth Eastside edition and includes my award winning "Bill Brown Building" rendition as well as other paintings from my Eastside Collection. Communities include Bellevue, Kirkland, Redmond, Snoqualmie, and Yarrow Point.
• Magical Spokane Memories (SORRY, SOLD OUT!) ~ Produced especially for the MAC (Spokane, Washington's Northwest Museum of Arts & Culture), and available in the Gift Shop now, this 9th edition features images of Spokane's world famous carousel, Monroe Street Bridge, Davenport Hotel, the "Jack Rabbit" roller coaster at Natatorium Park, the Crescent Department Store window at Christmastime (shown above), Cataldo School (once St. Augustine's Grade School), Cannon Hill Pond ~ and more! This one really tugs at the heartstrings of the baby-boomers who grew up in this wonderful city.

NOTE ~ There are a few past issues available (1994 - 2009). You'll find a complete list at the bottom of my Calendar page. Please contact me at 425.868.9238.

Visit this page in May to see four NEW 2011 calendars for the Eastside, Port Townsend, Snohomish and Spokane.

NEW! JOURNAL-FOR-A-YEAR (A HANDFUL LEFT ~ SPOKANE SOLD OUT!) ~ Featuring 40+ paintings, these new journals are good for ANY year and come in Washington State and Spokane-only editions.

NOTE ~ I'm planning a second volume due out this May with lots of NEW artwork. Check my Calendar page for details to come.

COLLECTIONS (400+) ~ Over the past 40 years, I've created 500+ pieces, which are divided into three collections. These three pages feature artwork which changes with the seasons and holidays ~ plus links to pdfs with thumbnails and stories for ALL of the paintings in each of the three collections.

• Puget Sound, Washington ~ Historic landmarks, homes, wineries, churches, parks ~ with a few boats, too, in honor of our prolific lakes, rivers and Puget Sound
• Spokane, Washington ~ More landmarks, the Davenport Hotel, the city's carousel, gazebos, parks and beautiful homes
• More Paintings ~ Fun subjects and settings like forest animals, cats, animals, fire trucks, golf courses, trains, holiday paintings plus a special "Golfing Santa" collection for the die-hard duffers in your life

Click at the bottom of each collection page for a comprehensive list of titles and short descriptions.

COMMISSION ~ I LOVE commission work! It's my favorite thing, because in the course of creating these very personal pieces, I make wonderful new friends. I've recreated settings from all over the United States and beyond ~ so this experience means a great deal to me.

Click here to see a sample of my NEW personal portrait service. You'll find the spring-themed painting of my granddaughter, "Baby Bunny Addison," in her bunny ears. And ~ If you're like me, your home is your "castle!" Choose from:

• Acrylic on canvas paintings
• Pen & Ink line drawings
• Pen, ink & pastels artwork

Filled with personal detail, you and your family can cherish these portraits for years to come. You'll find a step-by-step guide to commissioning. Frequently, the paintings are included in one of my calendars ~ a great way to share your home with family and friends all year!

RETAIL ~ Here you'll find a list of retail gift shops, museums, and other locations, such as the Kirkland Arts Center "HAS" Store at Park Place and Kusler's Gifts & Pharmacy (Snohomish) in the Puget Sound area, and the MAC (Northwest Museum of Arts & Culture) Gift Shop in Spokane, where you can purchase my cards, prints and gift packets ~ plus their addresses, phone numbers and web sites.

ORDERING ~ If you'd like to order from me directly, this page lists items available for purchase ~ calendars, journals, prints, cards and magnets ~ as well as information on pricing original paintings. You'll find an easy-to-use downloadable form (pdf format) that you can fax or send to me.

BIOGRAPHY ~ This is my "life story" page. Here I share some highlights that have helped me develop as an American Primitive artist ~ from my first grade report card all the way up to my recent 1st Place in the Redmond Saturday Market artwork competition. My AWARD WINNING painting, "Meeting at 'The Market,'" will be on posters and other promotional materials throughout Puget Sounds Eastside communities from May through October, 2010. I was also published in the December 2007 article in "425 Magazine" and the 2008 fall issue of "Focus on Redmond Magazine." You'll also find other pdfs of several other articles written about me in the local press.

BRIDAL ~ Weddings are wonderful! Visit this page if you are interested in having me create a custom portrait, one-of-a-kind wedding invitations ~ and more. Many of the paintings shown on this page were used by clients as covers for invitations, but I have a sample traditional text-style featured here as well. You'll also find a list of collateral items such as R.S.V.Ps, bridal shower announcements, wedding programs and more that I can produce to match whatever you select.

QUESTIONS? PLEASE CONTACT ME AT ~

TELEPHONE: Tel 425.868.9238

EMAIL: artist@pattisimpsonward.com

WEB SITE: www.pattisimpsonward.com