WEB SITE UPDATED JULY 2010

Featured quotes throughout this edition salute PATRIOTISM.

GEORGE WASHINGTON ~ "Happiness depends more on the frame of a person's own mind, than on the externals in the world."

NAVIGATING MY WEB 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 in the center of each to see it.

REDMOND (WA) SATURDAY MARKET SEASON ~ May 1 to October 30!

SUMMER APPEARANCES:

• August 7, 14 & 21
• September and October dates to be determined

NOTE: Market appearances are subject to GOOD weather. I will note cancellations here whenever possible.

FOURTH YEAR AT THE MARKET!

2010 marks my fourth year at Redmond, Washington’s Farmer’s Market. The season kicked off on May 1st.

It’s a special year, as the market board selected my “Meeting at The Market” (more below) as the 1st Place Winner in the competition for fine art that best captures the “market experience."

This popular market is the oldest one among the Eastside Puget Sound Communities, and it’s celebrating its 35th birthday.

It’s also one of the largest in the region (second only the Seattle's Public Market) and is easy to find on Leary Way next to the Redmond Town Center Shopping Mall. One of a few set among shady pines, shoppers and vendors keep cooler when the summer temps climb into the 90s.

2010 SATURDAY MARKET POSTER ~ SEASON RUNS MAY 1 TO OCTOBER 30

The market board asked me to put my graphic design skills to use, and create the 2010 poster that features my painting. You can find these all over Eastside communities through the end of October.

Click on Redmond Reporter II pdf or the poster here to read "Meeting at The Market ~ Local Artist spotlights upcoming Saturday Market in Promotional Poster."

The market's board of directors and on-site manager, Martha Wright, have been hard at work planning and creating a calendar of exciting upcoming events. There will be something for everyone this season!

The Redmond Saturday Market roster is completely full as so many of the past vendors have returned for 2010. New folks who had hoped to join the team will have to hope that someone drops out in 2011.

In addition to all of the fresh produce, flowers, seafood, fine artwork, photography, yard art, crafts and more, many weekends will host live music and special themed events.

For more information on what's in store this year, visit the market's newly revamped site: www.redmondsaturdaymarket.org.

A LITTLE MARKET HISTORY

In 1976, Master Gardener Georgia Erskine realized her lifelong dream of a neighborhood open-air market.

She formed a board of directors from friends, and together they leased a vacant lot for $1 a year near the Post Office in downtown Redmond.

The market moved a couple more times before settling at its location on Leary on space leased from Redmond Town Center.

Large structures were built especially for the 8,000 square foot open area, and the city approved an ordinance that the site, as well as the Justice White House, be preserved for community and historic significance.

Today the market is still run by an all-volunteer board of directors who are elected from the 130 participating vendors.

NEW "MEETING AT THE MARKET" ~ Portrait of the Redmond Saturday Market

This is the 38th painting in my Eastside Puget Sound Collection and is also featured in my NEW 2011 Seattle/Eastside calendar.

The painting came about as a result of a family vacation in North Idaho that left our family housebound by a week of the worst weather I've ever seen in August at Hayden Lake. I've never been a card player, and everyone else was engrossed in a raucous 10-9-8 game ~ so out came the paint box and canvas.

I started with the sunflowers in the four corners, added the fruit, flowers and veggies, and then the six craft signs.

Next I recreated the market scene, and filled it with signature white tents, vendors and shoppers enjoying a sun-filled day.

The final touch was three waving United States flags ~ making this a true portrait of family life in America!

Visit my What's New page to see my "CELEBRATE AMERICA" collection of 20 (8 NEW) paintings of settings from my corner of the country, the Pacific Northwest. They honor summertime and three all-American holidays ~ Memorial Day, Independence Day, and Labor Day. Themes include:

• Picnicking in the Pacific Northwest
• Gorgeous Garden Settings
• Vivacious Victorians & Cozy Cottages

DECORATING WITH A PATRIOTIC FLAIR

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 holiday. At 83 going on 35, she's a true inspiration.

We all look forward to the changing of the seasons in the Northwest ~ and after the gray days of winter and the rain in spring, summer's sunny days are SO welcome. Memorial Day, July 4th and Labor Day provide the perfect opportunity to add patriotic touches throughout the house.

Over the years, I've collected reproductions of metal vintage banks. One of these is Uncle Sam with a carpet bag that opens whenever the saver places a coin in his hand. This and the tapers featured in the photo here are my favorite decorations.

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

WELCOME ~ You're here!

WHAT'S NEW ~ "CELEBRATE AMERICA" ~ Visit this page to see my collection of 20 paintings (8 NEW) honoring family celebrations, summer fun and waving flags.

CALENDAR ~ AVAILABLE NOW! 4 NEW 2011CALENDARS! ~ "Celebrating Family Life in the Pacific Northwest" is the theme for all four editions, and 2010 marks my 17th year of creating calendars. This page pictures the artwork described below.

• SEATTLE/EASTSIDE: Remarkable Settings in the Greater Puget Sound ~ Seattle's artwork includes landmark settings like Holy Names Academy and the clubhouses at Seattle Golf Club and Jefferson Park. You'll also find the Pioneer Square Pergola and a beautiful old "woodie" at Seafair. Eastside settings include the Redmond Saturday Market featured above, the 100-year-old Grange in Happy Valley, and the beautiful Columbia Winery. Five of the paintings are NEW!
• SNOHOMISH (Volume 2): Vintage Residences & More in a Charming Destination ~ This is my second calendar showcasing beautifully restored turn-of-the-century homes in the pretty community. There are Victorians, four-squares, cottages and more. The much-loved Cabbage Patch Restaurant is part of the collection, as well a vintage church converted to a private residence/art studio. Nine paintings are NEW!
• PORT TOWNSEND (Volume 2): Victorian Beauties in the Town on The Sound ~ This collection introduces my NEW portrait of the majestic Manresa Castle. It's joined by the Frank Hastings House, Gleason Mansion, G.W. Downs House, Starrett Mansion, Pontius House and a half dozen more.
• SPOKANE MAC EDITION: Memorable Setting from the "Inland Empire" ~ I've painted several new pieces for this edition, including Gonzaga University's J.P. Graves-Bozarth Mansion on the North Side, my fifth work of the historic Campbell House, and the Mount Spokane Vista House built by the CCC (Civilian Conservation Corps.) in 1933. You'll also see scenes from Cannon Hill and Manito Park, the Davenport Hotel, Clark House (Marycliff), and (repeated by popular demand) the Crescent Department Store Christmas window. Six of the paintings are NEW!

NOTE ~ There are a few past issues available (1994 - 2010). You'll find a complete list at the foot of my Calendar page. Please contact me at 425.868.9238.

AVAILABLE SOON! JOURNAL-FOR-A-YEAR (VOLUME 2) ~ This second edition, available soon, features 40+ paintings. These journals are good for ANY year and are available in Washington State and Spokane-only editions. They showcase a large part of my collection and are filled with many of my newest works.

COLLECTIONS (400+) ~ Over the past 40 years, I've created 500+ pieces, which are divided into three collections. These three pages feature artwork that 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 ~ This collection showcases historic landmarks, schools, churches, homes, wineries, parks ~ with a few boats, too, in honor of our prolific lakes, rivers and Puget Sound.
• Spokane, Washington ~ You'll find Spokane landmarks like the Monroe Street Bridge, Davenport Hotel, the city's carousel ~ plus gazebos, parks, churches, schools and dozens of beautiful homes.
• More Paintings ~ Fun subjects include forest creatures, cats, fire trucks, trains and more ~ plus a special holiday collection of golfing Santas and snowmen. Settings span the United States ~ from the Oregon Coast to New England all the way to Europe and the old U.S.S.R.

Click at the bottom of each collection page for a complete list of all titles plus short descriptions.

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

Click here to see a sample of my NEW personal portrait service ~ the spring-themed painting of my granddaughter, "Baby Bunny Addison," in her Easter 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 loved ones will 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 Pharmacy & Gifts (Snohomish) in the Puget Sound, 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 art competition. As I shared above, My AWARD WINNING painting of the market is on posters and other promotional materials throughout Puget Sound's Eastside communities through the end of October.

You'll find several news stories about me on this page including the recent April 2010 Redmond Reporter:"Meeting at The Market ~ Local Artist spotlights upcoming Saturday Market in Promotional Poster" (Redmond Reporter II pdf).

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 art for invitations, but I have shared a sample traditional text-style 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