Patti
Simpson Ward's 2012 SPRING COLLECTION: "Remarkable Residences
in Washington State"
Welcome to my web site and the Spring 2012 Collection. My What's New page features two dozen (3 NEW) "Remarkable Residences" from all over Washington State. I've created these over the past decade and each home is uniquely beautiful. To honor spring, the artwork is grouped in suites of four paintings by color.
You'll also find a photograph and the history of each beneath the grouping. Look for other seasonal paintings peppered throughout the Puget Sound, Spokane and More Paintings collections.
A NEW BEGINNING . . .
Not only are spring blooms finding new life in this fresh season ~ my husband Doug and I are too.
Now that our kids are settled with families in their own homes, Doug and I have finally let go of our large, two-story brick Tudor in the Seattle area.
We've "downsized" to a charming craftsman cottage on Spokane's South Hill near Manito Park (see my Spokane page). After spending six years restoring and renovating the 1937 bungalow (more on it below), we're looking forward to this new chapter in our lives. We have lots of friends and family in the area, so this will be a bit like "coming home."
A Special Thank You & Giving Back ~ Thank you to the dozens of friends and patrons who came by local art fairs or found me on the web during the 2011 season. Your kind support means SO much. Every year, I donate a portion of my annual proceeds to local non-profits. I'm happy to give back when so many have been so good to me.
WHERE YOU CAN FIND MY WORK:
Find me at these and other locations on my Retail page:
NAVIGATING MY SITE ~
LINKS ~ "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 links to a large pop-up image. Click on each to see it.
NEW! BUTTONS ~ Red buttons highlight recently finished work from 20111 and 2012.
"SPRINGTIME
COMES TO SIMPSON STREET (DETAIL)"
This is a detail of a recently revised painting that I created five years ago. It pictures our "new" 1937 craftsman ~ not so new as 2012 marks its 75th birthday!
When Doug and I purchased the house in 2006, it was filled with beautiful untouched vintage detailing, a "good news/bad news" scenario.
Our considerable challenges included the original knob-&-tube wiring, a stream running beneath the home, and a poorly designed gutter system that soften the soil in front of the porch, causing the home to lean toward the street.
Nothing was an easy, inexpensive fix, but we persevered with the help of our very skilled contractors. All of the upgrades created a modern, energy-efficent home, while retaining all of its vintage charm and character. (NOTE: I am writing a book chronicling our journey of "Creating a Dream House from a Craftsman Cottage." Look for details here soon.)
Located near Saint Augustine's parish, its most famous residents were Pastor Stephen P. Buckley and his housekeeper/business manager, Violet Margaret Becher. Father Buckley created a chapel in the basement of the house where many of my friends and classmates attended Mass in the 1960s. (His name plate was on the chapel door when we bought the place.)
This is a detail of a larger "neighborhood" painting of homes I've lived in and loved on both sides of the state over the years. My mother Sally is pictured giving me a hand transplanting annuals while Doug "plants" a kiss on me. Visit my Commission page to see the entire piece.
My
husband Doug and I will be unpacking and setting
up our house for several weeks.
"Downsizing," of course, was the big challenge in leaving our larger place. (I have never been a fan of this, and it's coming back to haunt me.)
There are literally dozens of boxes, bins and bags to sort out. The "Sunshine Suite" was the first area we are tackled (breakfast nook, powder room and kitchen), the most important as it's the "heart" of the house.
I've shared a photo of the space just before our hardwood floors were installed. I'm busy sewing chintz curtains and matching window seat cushions which should make this a very inviting corner of the house.
My mother Sally shared the tradition of changing the theme of our home with the seasons growing up. She corralled all of us into the process and was always sewing or decorating something. She has a fine creative “eye” and still enjoys dressing up her condominium. At 84 going on 34, she always inspires ~ I look forward to carrying on this fine tradition in our cottage.
To see more, click on the image above, or on Our Home pdf.
WELCOME ~ You're here!
WHAT'S NEW ~ "REMARKABLE RESIDENCES" SPRING 2012 COLLECTION ~ Visit this page to see two dozen (3 NEW!) paintings of pretty homes from all over Washington State. Presented in suites of four paintings by spring colors, you'll also find a photographs and the history for each.
CALENDARS (Sold out on this web site) ~ Copies may still be available through:
Here is an overview of the artwork featured in each:
NOTE ~ There are a few past issues available (1994 - 2011). You'll find a complete list at the foot of my Calendar page. Please contact me at 206.406.1409 (iPhone) if you are interested.
FOUR JOURNALS-FOR-A-YEAR ~ For folks who want to enjoy more than 12 paintings with a product that doesn't have a shelf life, I created four Journals-for-a-Year. Each features 40+ different paintings ~ two with Spokane-only settings and two with scenes from all over Washington State. Good for any year as they're not date-specific, they are peppered with thoughts to inspire. Visit my Calendar page for more info on these.
ARTWORK COLLECTIONS ~ During my many years as a fine artist, I've created hundreds of paintings and drawings which are divided into three collections. These three web pages feature artwork that changes with the seasons and holidays ~ plus links to pdfs with thumbnails and stories for all the works in each collection.
The BIG List ~ At the foot of each page, you can link to an alphabetical list of titles and descriptions of all the paintings by collection (plus a handful of sketches). Red bold type on this list links you to pieces currently featured throughout the site.
COMMISSION ~ This is my favorite genre, as I've recreated settings for clients from all over the United States and beyond ~ and made wonderful friends in the process. Three years ago, I began painting portraits as well.
Filled with personal detail, commissioned pieces are cherished mementos. This page shares a step-by-step guide for commissioning artwork. Frequently, I include a finished piece in one of my calendars. It's a great way to share yourself with family and friends all year.
RETAIL ~ Here you'll find a list of retail gift shops, museums, and other locations, such as the MAC (Northwest Museum of Arts & Culture) Gift Shop in Spokane, the Kirkland Arts Center Store at Parkplace in Kirkland, and Kusler's Pharmacy & Gifts in Snohomish, 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 ~ originals, framed prints, gift packets, journals, calendars, cards and magnets. You'll find an easy-to-use downloadable pdf form that you can fax, scan/email or mail me (the old-fashioned way) via U.S.P.S. I accept Visa, MasterCard, Discover and American Express. Please phone me at 206.406.1409 for details.
BIOGRAPHY ~ This is my "life story" page. Here I share highlights that have helped me develop as an American Primitive artist ~ from my first grade report card all the way up to the present. I've also posted pdfs of press clippings and magazine articles here.
BRIDAL ~ Weddings are wonderful! Visit this page if you are interested in having a custom wedding portrait created as a memento. Much of the artwork shared here was commissioned by clients for their invitations, but I also have traditional text-style samples. You'll also find suggestions for collateral items like R.S.V.Ps, shower invites, ceremony programs and more that I can design to help carry though your theme.
QUESTIONS ABOUT THE ARTWORK?
iPhone: 206.406.1409
Email: artist@pattisimpsonward.com
On the Web: PattiSimpsonWard.com