"The
quality of our expectations determines the quality of our action." ~
Andres Godin
Thanks so much for your interest in my artwork! It's definitely the thing that makes me "tick," so here's a little background on how my passion for painting grew and developed.
During the past 40+ years, several significant events have shaped my love of the American Primitive style ~ it's definitely my trademark today (although there are some contemporary paintings floating around from earlier years). Below I've shared some events that shaped my dreams.
FINGERPAINTS & MORE AT FIVE
My Spokane, Washington, kindergarten teacher wrote in my report card, "She loves artwork of all kinds and is a tireless worker." I still have this mimeographed sheet tucked in with my vintage photographs. The statement was true in 1955 ~ and it's still true in 2008!
I
remember organizing and pasting up my own magazines, newsletters and booklets
at my bedroom desk ~ drawing pictures and writing stories, while the my sisters and brother were outside playing with the
neighborhood kids. I still have a handful of these
early works.
My Uncle Ed Flemister flew a small plane for the oil companies in Venezuela, but in his free time he painted in oil and dabbled in photography. When he and my Aunt Wanda flew to Washington for a visit, I begged for "art lessons." Thus the "Peanut People" photo to the left (nice haircut I gave my bangs, don't you think?).
In grade school, frequently I was in the back of the classroom drawing murals with colored chalk (see below) on butcher paper while classmates were learning long division. Math can still my weakness at times!
As a Camp Fire Girl, most of my awards were for sketches and drawings. In college, I worked as a summer counselor at Dart-Lo Day Camp, where I taught arts, crafts and theater. It was quite an experience sharing ideas with my exuberant students. Their most creative project? An elaborate mobile of fluttering Origami birds folded entirely out of chewing gum wrappers!
HNA & EWSU
~ DEVELOPING MY DREAMS
In high school at Holy Names Academy, I signed up for both basic and advanced design, and was offered the opportunity to attend special weekend classes at Fort George Wright College ~ a challenge and an honor.
My parents, especially my creative mom, Sally, were very supportive. I still hadn't found my niche as an artist (most of my work was very contemporary then), but I knew what I wanted to be ~ and was off and running!
While a junior at Eastern Washington State University, I sketched fifty pen-and ink ads for an advertising agency called The National Syndicate, my very first freelance assignment.
SETTLING DOWN IN SEATTLE
In 1974 (the year of Spokane's Expo 74 World's Fair), I moved to Seattle upon completing the National Syndicate project. Wonders! While driving up Seattle's Aurora Avenue, I saw my artwork on a billboard above the highway.
I
shifted my focus slightly from graphic design (although it continued
to pay the rent) to painting. I began to pursue it in earnest in 1975
while sharing a house near the University of
Washington with
my
youngest sister,
Peggy,
and four
of her classmates.
Two things happened at the house: for Christmas, I received a coffee table book of Grandma Moses prints; and one of my roommates had a Charles Wysocki "Americana" Calendar pinned to her door. Both influenced me ~ I loved Moses' use of color and Wysocki's fine attention to detail.
Wysocki excelled at creating imaginary settings, but I wanted to try my hand at painting something "real." I finished the home where I grew up in on Spokane's South Hill, "227 West 25th" in 1975. It was my first work in the American Primitive style ~ and I still have it today. I also sold a few early pieces to a fledgling gallery in Bellevue.
I
worked on refining my style, adding some perspective to give my
paintings some depth and dimension. I included more detail ~ anything
that would really tell a more personal story
about the subject (usually
a friend's
home or a particularly beautiful landmark).
In 1976, To sign my artwork, I designed an icon (my first name with a circle around it and a red heart for the dotted "i"). I'm still using this today.
I bought an instamatic camera and carried it with me everywhere (a habit I still have with my Canon PowerShot today) so that I could capture subjects "on the fly." In 1985, this paid off when my sister, Marilee, and I traveled to Port Townsend for their Tour of Historic Homes. This trip spawned 17 paintings that I've created over the years of P.T's beautiful "Victorians Ladies." (See my Port Townsend Collection pdf). Luckily, loading and developing film is a thing of the past . . . I can't imagine working without my "digital" these days!
HONORS IN UZBEKISTAN (PART OF THE FORMER U.S.S.R.)
The
late 1980s brought a trip to Uzbekistan in the south of Russia.
The visit was one leg of a three-week trip which included Moscow,
Leningrad
(now
St.
Petersburg)
and Tashkent. I traveled with 25 folks
from
varied professions, including media consultants and motivational
speakers.
While in Tashkent, Seattle's "Sister City" at the time, I befriended three women ~ a teacher, a medical student and a museum curator. As a result of those contacts, and with the help of the wife our then mayor Charles Royer, two of my paintings were hung in the National Gallery of Tashkent.
The trip was life-altering for me. Visiting this amazing country really impressed upon me how lucky I was to have been born in the United States. Although Russia was beautiful beyond description ~ and packed with culture ~ the freedom and opportunities we enjoy here are priceless.
CREATING MY FIRST CALENDAR
In
1994, to help support my exhibits (and to placate my family members
who'd received one piece of artwork too many over the years), I designed
my first calendar. What started out as a little Christmas gift, has
burgeoned into substantial orders of multiple printings. It's becoming
a collector's items among friends and clients.
Click on these titles for a preview of my three NEW editions for 2009: Wonderful White Houses in Washington State pdf (a baker's dozen scenic paintings of remarkable painted white buildings from cities and towns all over the state); Celebrating the Eastside pdf (Volume 3 of Puget Sound's Eastside communities); and Spokane's MAC (Northwest Museum of Arts & Culture) 8th edition The North Side and Downtown Spokane pdf (with new settings like Bing Crosby's childhood home on the Gonzaga University campus, Flowerfield at St. George's School, and the oldest home of record in Spokane, the Maxwell place. These will al be available in early July. Click on the Ordering button to pre-order if you'd like to be on the list.
BROWSING ABOUT BROWNE'S ADDITION, SPOKANE
1997
presented a great opportunity with an invitation from Spokane's Historical
Society to participate in a one-day, "al
fresco" art
exhibit and craft fair. It was held in Coeur d' Alene Park in Browne's
Addition, the first neighborhood settled by local timber, mining
and railroad
barons
in the late 1800s.
I exhibited eight new pieces I'd painted of local landmarks, including three mansions designed by famed architect, Kirtland K. Cutter: Patsy Clark's, the Fotheringham House and the Amasa Campbell House. The ambitiously restored Campbell House is part of the Cheney-Cowles Museum, which was rebuilt and expanded into the MAC Complex.
For this event, I designed a calendar,"Pacific Northwest Memories: Spokane Landmarks," which visitors scooped up. It was a lovely summer day, the kind Spokane serves up so well ~ and perfect for an outdoor exhibit.
OPPORTUNITIES
IN OLYMPIA
1998 rewarded me with some new friends and advocates, Lt. Governor and Mrs. Brad Owen.
On the advice of Patricia M. Prince, an associate who remembered my artwork at the Browne's Addition event in the Coeur d' Alene Park, they invited me to participate in the "Memories of Washington State" art exhibit and reception to be held in the main Legislative State Capitol Building in Olympia, Washington.
Lt. Governor Owen, his wife, and several other hard working volunteers, are doing their best to promote local artists ~ especially those who live in and love Washington State.
The hallways of the ornate Legislative Building proved to be a spectacular backdrop for the artwork of the participating artists.
Since then, I've been invited to show there a number of times. Summer 2001 brought "Landmarks of Washington" and later during the 2003 holiday season, I I participated for a fourth time in the "A New Beginning" exhibit.
The painting of the Legislative Building above is featured in my new 2009 calendar: Wonderful White Houses in Washington State.
THE HOLY NAMES SISTERS
You never know what ripple effect the smallest gesture can have! In 1997, I painted the stately old building that once housed Holy Names Academy (my high school). It had been re-designed and renovated in the 1970s by a local developer, Harry A. Green, into an upscale apartment complex, "The Academy Retirement Community." This painting is also featured in my new 2009 North Side/Downtown Calendar designed especially for Spokane's MAC (Northwest Musuem of Arts & Culture).
I created
some note cards with the "Celebrating Spring at Holy Names"
painting on the cover, and sent one to my school principal, Sr.
Eileen Rose at the Holy Names Sisters' Retirement Facility
near Fort George Wright, Spokane.
Almost immediately
I heard from Becky Ford Sullivan (then communications coordinator),
Anita Foreman (alumni coordinator)
and Sr. Celine Steinberger (director of development) ~ full of accolades
for my little painting. Becky and Anita ordered
prints and cards, and Sr. Celine wrote a note, thanking and encouraging
me.
Three months later, Becky asked me if I'd be like to be featured in their magazine article devoted to "artistic alumnus" who had graduated through the Holy Names system.
"Of course!" We e-mailed back and forth and I signed off on my portion of the article. I thought nothing more about it until I received my issue with my painting on the cover ~ such a kind and generous gesture!
In the article, Becky mentioned "The Artistree Gallery" where I was currently exhibiting. It spawned a lot of interest, and gallery owner, Wendy James, phoned wondering what the SNJM Magazine was. For months I heard from long-lost classmates, complimenting me on my artwork of our beloved school.
In 2004, my mother and I visited their facility, and Sally Ewing (Program Administrator) and Sister Celine gave us a tour of the newly landscaped grounds. Near the back of the building, a small basaltic rock grotto had been created among the pines to house the old statue of Mary from my high school. (See my artwork of it in the North Side Collection pdf.) The center courtyard had also been converted into a lush park-like setting, featuring sculpture designed by their own mixed media resident artist, Sister Paula Mary Turnbull. The sisters' lovely, peaceful spot is worth a visit. Both the Academy and the grotto are featured in my new MAC edition 2009 calendar: The North Side and Downtown Spokane pdf.
For more information about the Sisters of the Holy Names of Jesus and Mary, please contact them at:
ADDRESSmOffice of the Sisters of the Holy Names, Washington Province • 2911 West Fort George Wright Drive, Spokane, WA 99224 • Tel 509.328.7470
E-MAILm provadmin@snjmwa.org.
PRESENTING MY PAINTINGS THROUGHOUT THE YEARS ~
Wade James Theater ~ In 2002, I was invited by the Wade James Theater, home of the Driftwood Players in Edmonds, Washington, to be their featured artist during the run of their production of "Singing in the Rain." 35 paintings were hung around the theater's interior, on display for all the play-goers during the months of September, October and November.
As an exhibitor, I received tickets for myself and guests to the opening night show and a kick off with a champagne-and-hors d'oeuvres reception in my honor.
For information on the Wade-James Theater, visit their web site at www.driftwoodplayers.com.
The
Bill Brown Building ~ In
2002 and 2003, the owners of BigTime Bar and Grill invited me to show
the Redmond paintings from my Eastside Collection in their historic
building (one of the oldest in Redmond, Washington).
This decades old, two-story red-brick edifice (see the building with bunting pictured on the wall below) was owned and managed for over thirty years by the Redmond's longest running (and very "colorful") mayor and namesake, Bill Brown.
At one time it was home to a drug store with a soda fountain, neighborhood bar, corner barber shop, upstairs dance hall (with a hidden section for patrons to linger with the "ladies" of their choice), a full-service mortuary, and a trap door to a tunnel connecting to the friendly bootlegger down the street ~ a very colorful setting for my collection of paintings of Eastside historical landmarks!
Old
Redmond Schoolhouse Community Center ~ In
the summer of 2005, Redmond, Washington's summer festival, Derby Days,
fell in mid July ~ honoring the town's love affair with bicycles, local
history and summertime.
The Redmond Historical Society, along with the Redmond Arts Commission and the Eastside Association of Fine Arts, sponsored an artwork contest with prospective works to honor historic buildings and landmarks peppered throughout the community.
65 pieces of original art and fine photography created by local artists were displayed from June 10 through August 4 in the Community Center. Cash prizes for first, second and third were awarded during the festival, and my painting of the brick two-story "Bill Brown Building" took second place.
During the summer of 2005, the Community Center exhibited "The Bill Brown Building" along with four others that I entered in the contest. You can click on Entire Eastside Collection pdf to see them under the "Redmond Collection."
For more information on the very active Society, visit them at www.redmondhistory.org. "History is Happening in Redmond!
PATTI SIMPSON WARD IN THE PRESS
Redmond
Reporter ~ August
9, 2006 Newspaper Article ~ In 2006, I was invited to become
a board
member of the Redmond Historical Society. Renee DuVall-Northern
approached
the Society for help with historical photographs to feature in her
restaurant, The Stone House Cafe,
so I offered to assist her with the framing.
During our association on this project, I shared that I was an artist, and had painted the historic cottage that housed her restaurant. She purchased a print which she hung proudly on the wall at the entrance of her cafe.
Upon its opening, the Redmond Reporter published a two-page pictorial article and interview with Renee. She told the writer, Mary Stevens Decker, all about my artwork and subsequently Ms. Stevens Decker interviewed me as well.
Click on Redmond Reporter pdf to read the article, "Redmond Spotlight: Artist Sees Beauty in Old Buildings."
Royal
Divoteer ~ December 2006 Royal
Oaks Country Club Newsletter ~ For
several years, the Royal Oaks Country Club women's golfing membership
has kindly invited to me to participate in their Holiday Luncheon
and Gift Fair.
This Vancouver, Washington event is an especially fun one for me as I've painted two scenes of the golf course. The members love them both ~ especially the holiday artwork with a snowman dressed in a plaid golfer's vest and shoes, standing guard over the course's unique grass-covered stone bridge. Thus the name, "Snowy Sentinel, R.O.C.C."
This is a worthy event because a sizeable portion of the proceeds and entry fee goes to a selected Vancouver charity (such as the battered women's shelter or a disadvantaged family) during the holiday season.
My husband and his buddies play in an invitational tournament in June (they've participated for decades!), and as a result, many golfers and staff members have become good friends.
In December 2006, the club manager, kindly asked if he could feature my snowman artwork on the cover of their special holiday issue. I accepted with pleasure!
Redmond Recorder ~ October 2007 Redmond Historical Society Newsletter ~ In October 2007, my painting of Redmond's Stone House was featured in the RHS newsletter in an article highlighting the historic status of the picturesque Stone House. Click on Redmond Recorder pdf to read it.
425
Magazine ~ 2007 Holiday Issue Article:"12 Days of
Christmas Cards"
For the 2007 holiday issue, I was featured with 11 other talented artists in the 425 Magazine. Copies of this full-color, glossy periodical were available at book stores and newsstands throughout Western Washington.
This beautiful magazine celebrates the ever-burgeoning city of Bellevue, Washington and other Eastside communities (east of Seattle and Lake Washington) in the "425" area code ~ thus the name! For more information or to subscribe, visit their web site: www.425magazine.com.
To read the article, meet the artists and see the collection of Christmas card artwork, click on the image to the left or on 425 Magazine pdf.
"The Happy Holiday House," my painting featured in the article, is a Queen Anne-style, three-story Victorian located in the heart of the charming town of Snohomish. To see and read about it, click on Snohomish Collection pdf.
A short drive north of Seattle, Snohomish is filled with beautifully restored, lovely old homes built in the late 1800s. It's a great weekend destination, filled with charming B & Bs, restaurants, gift shops and antique stores overflowing with goods for shoppers with a keen eye for treasures.
SELLING AT THE REDMOND SATURDAY MARKET
Most
Saturdays this summer and fall, you'll find me at the
Redmond Saturday Market.
* NOTE: These dates are dependent on "fine weather" (as they say) and may be subject to change. Questions? Please call me at : 425.868.9238.
This open air market is the oldest one (33rd season) on the Eastside, and is located adjacent to the Redmond Town Center shopping mall in the heart of the town.
2008 marks my second year at the market, and I've found that it's a real favorite with both locals and visitors (there is a Marriott Hotel nearby). It's always filled with browsers ~ rain or shine.
I'll be there again this year, selling my originals, prints, cards, fridge magnets and NEW 2009 calendars. Details on these are available on my Calendar page.
Shoppers will also find works by other 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! For more information, visit the Redmond Saturday Market at www.redmondsaturdaymarket.homestead.com.
CARING
ABOUT THE COMMUNITY
I'm a passionate believer in giving back to the community. My life has been so blessed, too me, this concept is non-negotiable.
I support several historical and artistic societies and museums in both the Puget Sound area and in Spokane, Washington. I'm proud to be on the board of the Redmond Historical Society, and donate my time and talent to design their newsletter and to help out with monthly member meetings as much as my busy schedule allows.
I've also given artwork to auctions sponsored by the Windermere Foundation (King County), the Redmond, Washington Chamber of Commerce, and three of Spokane's Catholic grade schools (St. Aloysius, St. Paschal's and Cataldo). Private schools bend over backwards to supply the kind of one-on-one attention that is sometimes impossible to find in the public school system. They're chronically short of funds as they don't receive government funds, so I'm happy to help out.
Another cause that's important to me is the retirement fund for the Sisters of the Holy Names of Jesus and Mary. They did a beautiful job educating me, and I'll always be in their debt! The need is greater than ever as more and more sisters are retiring after long and selfless careers as fine educators.
THE
PERFECT PLACE TO PLAY ~ AND WORK!
In April 2000, When I married my husband, Doug, his gift to me was a new studio.
This combination creative space (office-studio-parlor) is the sitting room joined by French doors to our master bedroom suite ~ so I'm often working here in my bunny slippers!
The armoire pictured below is a "mini office." It houses two Macs, a scanner, two printers, three cameras, a light table, art supplies, all my client files ~ and MORE!
I do lots of painting and designing in this creative space, as it overlooks the gardens in our back yard and our neighbor's Japanese gardens beyond. The view is always peaceful and pretty, even when dusted with snow in the winter. I'm so lucky to have this inspiring workspace after years of spreading out on the kitchen table. Thanks Doug! (More on him below!)
Besides the fine art and decorating books that fill my bookshelves, I have novels on CD and vintage movies on DVDs. (Isn't it great that computers play movies these days?) There's usually a hot pot of tea brewing as well. Kittiewinks Andy and Sophie keep me company ~ and theyhave found their way into many of my recent paintings.
MY
DARLING HUSBAND, DOUG
In 2000, I married my sweetheart, Doug. He's truly a wonderful husband, a passionate golfer and easy-to-be-around companion. You see his face scattered throughout my web site and in many of my paintings. Even though I'm a completely driven worker bee, NONE of this would be possible without his love and unending support ~ I'm blessed to have him.
He encourages me to grow my passion in a hundred ways ~ from making dinner when I'm buried in "production mode" to carting me to exhibits at the crack of dawn to lugging around crates of artwork in the sometimes pouring rain (we live in the Seattle area, you know!).
One Christmas, he spend a precious day of vacation driving my mother and me around Spokane so that we could shoot photos for paintings ~ patiently and without a word of complaint. (He had been invited to go skiing with my brother-in-law and stayed to help us get around in the slippery, snowy conditions.)
So I'm very lucky ~ and can't thank him enough! He helps me believe that nothing is impossible and that the BEST is yet to come!
IF YOU'D LIKE TO REACH ME ~
TELEPHONE: Tel 425.868.9238
E-MAIL: artist@pattisimpsonward.com
WEB SITE: www.pattisimpsonward.com
