"I will be the gladdest thing under the sun, I will touch a hundred flowers and not pick one." ~ Edna St. Vincent Millay

Thanks so much for your interest in my artwork. It's definitely the thing that makes me "tick." Here's a little background on how my hobby began and grew into a career.

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 AND MORE IN FIRST GRADE

My first year of school, the 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 old photographs. The statement was true in 1956 ~ and it's true today!

I remember designing and pasting up my own magazines, newsletters and booklets at my bedroom desk. I drew pictures and wrote stories while my sisters and brother were off playing with the neighborhood kids. I still have a handful of these early creations. A dear grade school friend of mine just shared with me that she saved a few "booklets" that I gave her decades ago. When we get together next, she's going to bring them with her! God bless "memory lane."

My Uncle Ed Flemister flew a small plane for Standard Oil in Venezuela in the 1950s, spending his off hours oil painting and dabbling in photography. When he and my Aunt Wanda flew to Spokane 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 January 2009, Ed exhibited his considerable collection in a Baker’s City, Oregon gallery ~ at age 90+!

More often than not, in grade school years, I was in the back of the room drawing murals with colored chalk on butcher paper (see below) while classmates were learning long division. Math can still be a challenge!

As a Camp Fire Girl, I earned awards for sketches and drawings. In college, working as a summer counselor at Dart-Lo Day Camp, I taught arts, crafts and theater. I loved sharing ideas with the eager kids. 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 classes, and took advantage of special invitation weekend workshops at Fort George Wright College ~ a challenge and an honor.

My parents, especially my creative mom, Sally, always encouraged me. I hadn't found my niche yet (most of my artwork was very contemporary), but I recognized my calling ~ and was hooked!

While a junior at Eastern Washington State University, I sketched 50 pen-and ink ads for an advertising agency, The National Syndicate ~ my first freelance assignment.

SETTLING IN SEATTLE

In 1974 (the year of Spokane's Expo 74 World's Fair), I moved to Seattle after finishing the drawings for the ad campaign. 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 with my youngest sister Peggy and her classmates near the University of Washington.

Two "events" occurred: I received a coffee table book of Grandma Moses artwork for Christmas; and one of my roomies had a Charles Wysocki "Americana" Calendar pinned to her bedroom door. I was intrigued by 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." In 1975, I finished the home where I grew up in on Spokane's South Hill, "227 West 25th." It was my first work in the American Primitive style, still is part of my personal collection. A gallery in Bellevue, Washington also purchased a few of my paintings that year.

I worked on refining my style, adding a little perspective to give my paintings more depth and dimension. I focused on the details ~ anything that would tell a personal story about the subject (often a friend's home or a particularly remarkable landmark).

In 1976, I designed my signature icon (my first name with a circle around it and a red heart for the dotted "i"). I'm still using it today.

I bought a little Kodak Instamatic and always carried it with me (my Canon PowerShot Digital later replaced it), 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. The trip spawned 17 paintings of unique Victorian homes that I've been working on over the past several decades. (See my Port Townsend Collection pdf and my NEW 2011 Port Townsend Calendar pdf.) Luckily, loading and developing film is a thing of the past ~ digital media has changed everything!

HONORS IN UZBEKISTAN (PART OF THE FORMER U.S.S.R.)

The highlight of the 1980s was a trip to the U.S.S.R. The visit lasted three weeks and included stays in Moscow, Leningrad (now St. Petersburg) and Tashkent.

I traveled with 25 folks from varied professions, including media consultants and motivational speakers.

While in Tashkent (then Seattle's "Sister City"), three women befriended me ~ a teacher, medical student and museum curator. As a result, and with the help of the wife of then mayor Charles Royer, two of my paintings found their way into the National Art Gallery of Tashkent.

The trip was life-altering. Visiting this amazing country really impressed upon me how lucky I was to have been born an American. Although Russia was beautiful beyond description and a culture-lover's dream, the freedom and opportunities we enjoy here are priceless.

CREATING MY FIRST CALENDAR ~ PLUS MY NEW ADDITION: JOURNALS-FOR-A-YEAR

In 1994, to support my exhibits (and placate family members who'd received one piece of art too many over the years), I designed my first calendar. What started out as a casual Christmas gift has burgeoned into substantial orders of multiple printings. The calendars have become collector's items among friends and clients.

Click on these titles to see previews of my four NEW 2011editions for 2010:

2011 Seattle/Eastside Calendar pdf ~ This edition combines unique settings from Seattle and Eastside Puget Sound communities. Settings inlcude Holy Names Academy, the Pioneer Square Pergola, a vintage cabin cruiser at Seafair, Seattle Golf Club in the Highlands, the Redmond Saturday Market, aHappy Valley's 100-year-old Grange ~ and more! Five of the paintings featured in this edition are NEW!

2011 Snohomish Calendar (Vol. 2) pdf ~ You'll find more beautifully restored residences in this second Snohomish edition ~ including a refurbished Catholic church and a beloved Snohomish eatery, the Cabbage Patch. NIne paintings are NEW!

2011 Port Townsend Calendar (Vol. 2) pdf ~ This Puget Sound seaside community is famous for its vintage homes as well. This calendar features a dozen of these, including one NEW painting of Manresa Castle.

2011 MAC Spokane Calendar pdf ~ Produced especially for the MAC (Spokane, Washington's Northwest Museum of Arts & Culture), this 10th edition has three park images, including the Vista House at the summit of Mount Spokane built in 1933 by the CCC. You'll also find the Davenport Hotel, St. John the Evangelist Cathedral, the Crescent at Christmastime, a NEW painting of the Bozarth Mansion, several famous mansions from Browne's Addition ~ and more!

NEW! JOURNALS-FOR-A-YEAR: In 2009, I created two editions of these ~ one for Spokane and one for Washington state. Good for any year as they're not date-specific, they showcase 40+ paintings and are peppered with thoughts to inspire. Visit my Calendar page for more info on these. Look for two NEW editions out soon!

BROWSING AROUND BROWNE'S ADDITION, SPOKANE

In 1997, I was invited by the Eastern Washington Historical Society to participate in a one-day, "al fresco" art exhibit & craft fair ~ my first! It was held in Browne's Addition's Coeur d'Alene Park, Spokane's oldest, in the center of the first neighborhood settled in the late 1800s by local timber, mining and railroad barons.

I exhibited eight new paintings 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 Campbell House Collection now features a FIVE paintings). The ambitiously restored Campbell House is part of the Cheney-Cowles Museum, which was rebuilt and expanded into the MAC (Northwest Museum of Arts & Culture) complex.

For this event, I designed a special edition calendar, "Pacific Northwest Memories: Spokane Landmarks," which visitors scooped up. My first fair was a rewarding experience and it taught me a lot.

OPPORTUNITIES IN OLYMPIA

1998 rewarded me with two new friends and advocates, Lt. Governor and Mrs. Brad Owen.

On the advice of Patricia M. Prince, an associate who remembered my work from the Coeur d'Alene Park event, they invited me to participate in the "Children at Play in Washington State" art exhibit and reception held at the Legislative State Capitol Building in Olympia, Washington.

Lt. Governor Owen, his wife Linda, and several other hard working volunteers, are working hard to promote local artists ~ especially those who live and work in Washington State.

The hallways of the ornate Legislative Building proved to be a spectacular backdrop for everyone participating ~ most inspiring!

Since that first invitation, I've shown there several more times. Summer 2001 brought "Landmarks of Washington" and in the 2003 holiday season, "A New Beginning."

THE HOLY NAMES SISTERS

You never know what ripple effect the smallest gesture will have!

In 1997, I completed a portrait of the building that once housed Holy Names Academy (my high school in Spokane). Painted with Holy Names Sisters and students in uniform, it was my tribute to four happy years there during my teenage years.

In the 1970s, local developer, Harry (Hank) A. Green redesigned and renovated the abandoned Victorian three-story into a handsome upscale retirement community called "The Academy."

I designed note cards using the "Springtime Celebration at HNA" painting, and sent one to my school principal, Sr. Eileen Rose at the Holy Names Sisters' Retirement Facility near Fort George Wright in Spokane.

Within days, I heard from Communications Coordinator Becky Ford Sullivan and Director of Development Sr. Celine Steinberger ~ full of praise for my little painting. Becky ordered prints and cards, and Sr. Celine wrote a personal note, thanking and encouraging me.

Three months later, Becky asked if I'd be like to be featured in their magazine article devoted to "artistic alumnus" who had graduated through the Holy Names system. Absolutely! I thought nothing more about it until I received my issue with my painting on the cover!!

In the article, Becky mentioned "The Artistree Gallery" where I was currently exhibiting. Gallery owner, Wendy James, phoned wondering what the SNJM Magazine was as she was receiving dozens of calls about the article. For months, I heard from high school classmates, asking about my work.

In 2004, my mother and I visited the Sister's retirement facility. Program Administrator Sally Ewing and Sr. Celine gave us a tour of the newly landscaped grounds. In a natural setting behind the building, volunteers created a small basaltic rock grotto to house the statue of the Mary from my old high school grounds. (See my artwork of it in the North Side Collection pdf.) We also walked the newly developed the courtyard and garden showcasing sculpture designed by resident mixed media artist, Sr. Paula Mary Turnbull.

For more information about the Sisters of the Holy Names of Jesus and Mary, please contact them at:

ADDRESS ~ Office of the Sisters of the Holy Names, Washington Province • 2911 West Fort George Wright Drive, Spokane, WA 99224 • Tel 509.328.7470

EMAIL ~ provadmin@snjmwa.org.

PAINTING PRESENTATIONS 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 "Singing in the Rain."

The theater displayed three dozen of my original paintings throughout its interior during September, October and November.

As their featured guest artist, I received opening night tickets for my guests ~ plus a kick-off party in my honor with champagne and hors d'oeuvres.

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 my Redmond settings in their historic building (one of the oldest in Redmond, Washington).

The grill closed and the building was reopened as the "The Matador" in 2007, an upscale tequila bar & restaurant, after the owners spent a substantial amount on its further restoration.

This two-story red-brick structure (see the painting with patriotic bunting pictured on the wall below) was owned and managed for over 30 years by Bill Brown ~ Redmond's longest running and most colorful mayor.

At one time it housed a drug store with a soda fountain, 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 ~ quite a 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 passion for bicycle riding, local history and sunshine.

The Redmond Historical Society, along with the Redmond Arts Commission and the Eastside Association of Fine Arts, sponsored a competition of artwork and photography honoring vintage buildings and landmarks 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, with cash prizes for first, second and third place awarded during the festival. My "Bill Brown Building" painting took second.

During the summer of 2005, the Community Center exhibited it with four others that I'd entered in the contest. Click on the Eastside Collection pdf to see them under the "Redmond Collection."

For more information on the very active Society, visit them at www.redmondhistoricalsociety.org. "History is Happening in Redmond!

The Kirkland Arts Center ~ In August and September of 2008, I participated in the Kirkland Arts Center Members' Exhibit. This was an eclectic event as all organization members were invited to show one piece of artwork, mixed media, sculpture or pottery.

I chose "Springtime Comes to Simpson Street" (visit my Commission page), saluting a "neighborhood" of five homes that I've lived in and loved.

The painting tracks the 1950s Spokane years, growing up in vintage homes on the South Hill. It pictures my family's move to the Spokane Valley, moves on to my current life with husband Doug in Sammamish, and commences with our future retirement (but NOT from painting, of course!) back to Spokane in a 1937 Craftsman. Full circle!

(A remarkable factoid: Monsignor Buckley, who taught grade school and gave me my first Holy Communion once owned the Craftsman and said Mass there on a regular basis in the basememt family room. His name plate is on the cedar closet door, which we're guessing doubled as the confessional.)

The Victorian Peter Kirk Building, for whom the community is named, houses KAC. To see my painting of it and learn more about its history, visit my Puget Sound page.

In December 2009, KAC opened a store at nearby Parkplace Mall where member artists and instructors showcase and sell their work. Click on my Retail page for details.

MARKETING MERCHANDISE AT OPEN-AIR MARKETS AND GIFT FAIRS ~ KICK OFF: MAY 1ST!

Each year, my "season" begins with the Redmond Saturday Market in the spring and summer months. It then moves through fall and winter with holiday gift fairs. Click on my Welcome, What's New or Retail pages for dates and locations.

Selling at the Redmond Saturday Market ~ You'll frequently find me at the Redmond Saturday Market during the summer. 2010 marks my fourth year there.

1ST PLACE WINNER! The market board selected my NEW painting, "Meeting at 'The Market'" (see it on my Retail page) as first place winner in their competition for art honoring the market experience. The artwork is on all posters and promotional materials for this 35th season ~ a huge honor!

This is the oldest open-air market on the Eastside. It is adjacent to Redmond Town Center Mall, and is open every Saturday from May 1 through October 30.

Ahuge favorite with both locals and visitors (there is a Marriott Hotel nearby), it'salways filled with browsers ~ rain or shine. Even on the hottest summer days, it's a comfortable place to be because of the tall, shady evergreens.

The market features works by artists in different media, fine photography, all sorts of arts & crafts, flowers, jewelry, locally grown produce and more. On a busy day, there are as many as 90 vendors ~ so there's something for everyone! For more information, visit the Redmond Saturday Market at www.redmondsaturdaymarket.org.

Seeing Friends at the Spokane Club ~ During fall and the holiday season, I scoot all over the state to gift fairs in Washington communities like Vancouver, Spokane, Sammamish, Bellevue, Redmond and Kirkland.

My favorite is the Spokane Athletic Club Gift Fair in early November. This annual event is special, as Spokane's my hometown and I get to connect with family and friends. Plus the residents there cherish their lovely old homes, parks and landmarks like no other community!

My dear friend (and club member) Mary Doohan, sponsors and helps onsite with this event. 2009 marked our fourth year of working together. She's the BEST!

NOTE ~ Once again, you'll find my Redmond Saturday Market, art and gift fair schedule on my Welcome, What's New or Retail pages from late spring through Christmas.

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 for The Stone House Cafe. During our association, I shared that I was an artist, and she purchase my portrait of the historic cottage housing her restaurant. Originally, when Renee opened, the Redmond Reporter interviewed her, publishing a two-page pictorial. She shared my artwork with writer, Mary Stevens Decker, who later interviewed me. Click on Redmond Reporter pdf to read the article, "Redmond Spotlight: Artist Sees Beauty in Old Buildings."

Today, "The Stone House" has a new owner/manager/chef, Ryan Donaldson. He offers very fine Northwest cuisine and local wines and spirits on the menu, and is building a devoted following (www.stonehouseredmond.com). And ~ my artwork is once again hanging in the hallway.

Royal Divoteer: December 2006 Royal Oaks Country Club Newsletter ~ For many years, the Royal Oaks Country Club women's golfing membership invited to me to shared in their Holiday Luncheon and Gift Fair.

This Vancouver, Washington event was especially fun as I've painted two holes on the golf course. The members love the art ~ especially the painting of a Christmas snowman in a plaid vest and golf shoes, guarding the course's unique grass-covered stone bridge: "Snowy Sentinel at R.O.C.C."

This is a worthy event because a sizeable portion of the proceeds and entry fee goes to a Vancouver charity (such as the battered women's shelter or a disadvantaged family).

For more than 30 years, my husband and his buddies compete in an "invitational" in June. If I'm free, I tag along for this event. Over the years, golfers and staff have become good friends, and the familiar faces are always a welcome sight. In December 2006, the club manager asked if he could feature my "sentinel" artwork on the cover of their holiday membership newsletter, pictured here

Redmond Recorder: October 2007 Redmond Historical Society Newsletter ~ In October 2007, my painting of the Stone House was also featured in the RHS newsletter in an article highlighting its historic status. 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. Book stores and newsstands throughout Western Washington carry copies of this full-color, glossy periodical.

425 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 the Queen Anne-style, Harmon House, located in the heart of Snohomish. To see and read about it, click on Snohomish Collection pdf.

A short 30-minute drive north of Seattle, Snohomish is filled with beautifully restored homes built in the late 1800s. It's a great weekend getaway, and features B & Bs, restaurants, gift shops and antique stores brimming with goods for shoppers with a keen eye for vintage treasures. To learn more about the old homes and historic aspect of this community, visit www.snohomishhistoricalsociety.org.

Focus on Redmond: 2008 Fall Issue Article ~ The city of Redmond, Washington publishes a quarterly magazine called Focus on Redmond. It highlights all of the upcoming civic and special events that are on the calendar for each season and also features human-interest stories about folks who are making a difference in the community.

The "spotlight" page featured a small article on me, my artwork, and ongoing contributions to the Redmond Historical Society as their print designer and graphic consultant on their newly created website.

To read the article, click on Focus on Redmond pdf.

CARING ABOUT THE COMMUNITY

I'm a passionate believer in giving back to my community. My life has been so blessed ~ to 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 as I shared above, donate my time and talent to design their newsletter, help with the web site and assist at monthly general meetings.

2010 Auction Donations ~ I give artwork to many charitable causes. In 2010, my work benefits King County's Holy Names Academy (more below), the Eastside Heritage Center, and Spokane's SSRA (Spokane Ski Racing Association). See Holy Names on my Puget Sound page and the Mount Spokane Vista House on Spokane.

Past years, I've donated work to Chamber of Commerce events for both Sammamish and Redmond, Washington; the King County Windermere Foundation; and four Spokane Catholic grade schools (St. Aloysius, St. Paschal's, Cataldo and St. Charles). Private schools often go the extra mile to supply the kind of one-on-one attention that is often impossible to find in the public school system. They're chronically short of funds as they don't receive government aid, so I'm happy to help out.

My favorite cause is the retirement fund for the Sisters of the Holy Names of Jesus and Mary. (See their story above.) They did a beautiful job educating me, and I'll always be grateful. With our current economy, the need is greater than ever. Many sisters are retiring after long, selfless careers.

THE PERFECT PLACE TO PLAY ~ AND WORK!

In April 2000, when I married Doug (we're coming up on our 10th wedding anniversary!), his gift to me was a graphic design space and art studio.

My design space doubles as an office and sitting room for interviewing clients. It's joined to our master bedroom by French doors, so I'm often working in my bunny slippers! The fireplace makes it extra cozy on chilly days.

The armoire pictured below is a"mini office," with all the digital equipment that I need to create, produce and archive my ever-growing collection.

My painting studio is down the hall at the south end of our home. It gets TONS of natural light from dawn to dusk ~ particularly important during winter months when the days are short. It's the perfect room for creating all the detail in my artwork.

I store supplies and fine art books here in the library, plus my backstock of prints, cards and more. Novels on CD and movies on DVDs usual play in the background while I work. (Isn't it great that computers play movies these days?) There's always a pot of hot coffee. The kitties, Andy and Sophie (that's Sophie, barely visible from her corner of the sofa above), keep me company, and they have found their way into many of my paintings. (See my What's New page for their NEW portrait.)

I'm so lucky to have these two studios after years of spreading out on the kitchen table. Thanks Doug! (More on him below!)

MY DARLING DOUGIE

In 2000, I married my sweetheart, Doug. He's truly a wonderful guy, a passionate golfer and easy-to-be-around companion. You see his face scattered throughout my web site and in lots of artwork. Even though I'm a completely driven "worker bee," NONE of this would be possible without his love and endless support. I'm so 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 driving me to exhibits and events at all hours of the day and night ~ all over the Pacific Northwest.

One Christmas, he spent a precious day of vacation chauffeuring my mother and me around Spokane so we could shoot photos for my upcoming projects ~ patiently, without a word of complaint. He gave up a day of skiing with my brother-in-law and stayed to help us get around in the slippery, snowy conditions. How lucky am I?!?

I 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

EMAIL: artist@pattisimpsonward.com

WEB SITE: www.pattisimpsonward.com