VISIT ME AT THE REDMOND WASHINGTON FARMERS' MARKET!

(Updated JULY 2009)

PRESIDENT JOHN F. KENNEDY ~ "Efforts and courage are not enough without purpose and direction." (Note: in honor of our patriotic holidays this season, all quotes are by our presidents.)

HOW TO NAVIGATE AROUND MY WEB SITE ~

LINKS ~ It's easy! Use the colored rectangular buttons to the left of each page to move from one page to another ~ or click on the bold red words in the text section (i.e. Biography) for a quick link.

POP-UPS ~ Each piece of artwork (drawings and paintings) featured throughout are linked to a larger pop-up image, so just click in the center of each one to see its larger version.

Enjoy your visit!

THE OLDEST MARKET

The Redmond Saturday Market is the oldest outdoor farmers’ market on the Eastside (an umbrella term for all of the communities east of Seattle and Lake Washington). 2009 marks its 33rd season!

You'll find it next to the Redmond Town Center shopping mall in a large grassy area that’s dotted with huge shade-giving pine trees ~ a true bonus when the temperature climbs into the nineties.

The market is a favorite with both locals and visitors (there is a Marriott Hotel nearby) and is filled with browsers ~ rain or shine. Shoppers will also find works by many artists, as well as photography, all sorts of arts & crafts, flowers, jewelry, locally grown produce and more. On a busy day, there are as many as 90 vendors selling their wares ~ so there's something for everyone!

MARK THESE SATURDAYS ON YOUR CALENDARS

Thanks so much to all you visitors and supporters who stopped by my booth last summer. It was a great season! I'm so grateful, and look forward to seeing you again this year. Here is my upcoming 2009 schedule. Keep in mind that it’s not "set in stone" as I’m a bit dependent on sunny, warm weather. Needless to say, rain is the enemy of fine artwork!

Once again, these dates are dependent on good weather, so here's hoping that there's LOTS of it. Cancellations will be posted here the Wednesday before the date.

NEW! "RIDING THE JACK RABBIT AT NAT" ~ Spokane's Historic Natatorium Park

What's more fun than a ride on a rollicking roller coaster?!? This new piece, painted with a colorful patriotic theme, is a portrait of Spokane's most hair-raising, beloved amusement attraction, called a "gravity slide" on its paperwork when installed in historic Natatorium Park in 1920 ~ but known by all who loved riding it as the BEST roller coaster ever!

Twickenham Park, built in 1890 by local developers at the end of their Boone Street trolley line, was re-named Natatorium Park, when the new, giant heated pool ("Natatorium" is the Latin word for pool) was added. This was the big attraction, until the Jack Rabbit (built at a cost of $65,000) took center stage.

Most Spokane old-timers and baby-boomers cherish fond memories of this park, which entertained thousands of guests for decades until it closed and was demolished in the spring of 1968.

In its prime, besides the pool, roller coaster, and dozens of other rides, "Nat Park" also boasted a world class, hand-carved carousel (click on my Spokane page to see my painting of it), professional baseball field, zoo, miniature train, and dance hall that hosted greats like Harry James, Tommy Dorsey, and other big bands during the 1940s.

It was THE destination for Eastern Washington and Northern Idaho ~ and 4th of July guaranteed the best fireworks exposition for miles.

As the region grew, and families became more mobile with their automobiles, other pursuits began to take the place of visits to "Nat." Revenues fell, the couple who owned the park divorced, and the property was ultimately sold to the local Shriners.

They filled in the massive pool, sold off some of the rides, burned the Jack Rabbit track to the ground, and dismantled and packed away the carousel. Bill Oliver, once the park's electrician, lovingly and paintstakingly restored the merry-go-round, and today it's the centerpiece of Riverfront Park. Everyone can ride her, and reach for the elisive "brass ring." The Nat's prime real estate on the Spokane River houses is a mobile home park today.

Riders in this painting include me with my cousin Jim Flemister; siblings Marilee, Peggy and John; Maggie and Sally McCarthy, Dave and Patty Shelledy, Mac Roberts, and Jan and Chris Bethune. My folks, Sally and Joe Simpson, wave from below the track ~ and the gut-wrenching "Rock-O-Plane" in the upper left is filled with more chums. The unique, octagonal park office building (with its 18 steps) is pictured in the upper right hand.

For more information on this historic gem, you can purchase Marla Hyder and Donald R. Johnson's book, "Dear Old Nat . . . Spokane's Playground" and the KSPS video, "Remember When: Nat Park." Both are available from the Spokane's MAC (Northwest Museum of Arts & Culture) Gift Shop. Tel: 509.456.3931. Web site: www.northwestmuseum.org.

You'll find more "patriotic" paintings on my What's New page. AND this roller coaster is the featured artwork for August in my NEW 2010 "Magical Spokane Memories" calendar (preview on my Calendar page).

FLAGS, FLOWERS & FESTIVITIES!

I LOVE to decorate for the holidays and seasons ~ no secret to everyone who knows me ~ including my husband Doug, who has very kindly built a labyrinth of shelves on walls in the garage to house my seasonal goodies!

My mother, Sally, adopted this tradition when we were kids growing up in Spokane, Washington. She usually corralled most of us into the process.

I’m certain that all off my creative genes must be from her, as it seems she was always making something! She has a fine creative “eye” and still enjoys dressing up her home for each of the holidays. She’s 82 going on 35 ~ a true inspiration!

As each season begins, I swear it's my favorite, but summertime is the perfect season for going really "bold" with red, white and blue little flags and other colorful colorful, patriotic touches!

As it's such a striking pattern, I rarely have my vintage "Calico" earthenware on display. I started my collection of this signature dinnerware in the '70s when I was in college, and have been picking up pieces here and there in antique shops ~ and as gift from friends who know that I love this pattern. It's "front and center" in summertime, and goes perfectly with red, white and blue to carry out my flag motif.

Click on the image of our dining room to the left or on Our Home pdf to see other photographs of our Old Glory-inspired decor.

WELCOME ~ You're here!

WHAT'S NEW ~ "SUMMERTIME CELEBRATIONS" ~ Click here to see my collection of 20 paintings (2 NEW!) honoring our three patriotic holidays, June weddings, and fun-in-the-sun holidays at the lake!

You'll also see my Redmond Saturday Market dates repeated here, with Holiday Gift Fair dates listed later on in the year.

CALENDAR ~ NEW! 2010 CALENDAR ARE HERE! This page features a preview of the artwork described below:

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

COLLECTIONS (400+) ~ Over the past 40 years, I've created 400-plus 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.

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

COMMISSION ~ 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!" I offer three styles of portraits:

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 artwork. 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 MAC (Northwest Museum of Arts & Culture) Gift Shop in Spokane and the Redmond Historical Society and Redmond Saturday Market in the Puget Sound area, 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 ~ such as prints and cards ~ 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 kindergarten report card all the way up to my 2nd Place Award at the Historical Landmark artwork exhibit at the Old Redmond Schoolhouse Community Center (Redmond, Washington) and the recent Member's Exhibit in the Kirkland Arts Center (Kirkland, Washington). I'm also featured in the December 2007 article in "425 Magazine" and the 2008 fall issue of "Focus on Redmond Magazine." There are also other pdfs of several recent 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 wedding portrait or one-of-a-kind wedding invitations. Many of the paintings shown on this page were used by my clients as covers for wedding invitations, but I have a sample traditional text invitation featured on this page 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