WELCOME TO MY SPOKANE COLLECTION

"Every day do something that will inch you closer to a better tomorrow." ~ Doug Firebaugh

Spokane is a friendly city in Eastern Washington with a small-town feel. I was so fortunate to grow up there. Excellent schools, beautiful city parks, great (affordable) golf courses and dozens of nearby lakes for summer fun are just some of its pluses. When the rain sets in here in the Seattle area, I really miss Spokane's four distinct seasons. These and lots of other good memories inspired the artwork here.

I've divided the collection into seven locations (in some cases there are sub-locations of these). Each highlights one or two paintings which periodically revolve ~ so you have lots to look at and it changes frequently with the seasons. Artwork recently finished in 2007 and 2008 features a red "NEW!" button. Beneath the paintings, you'll find a story and photo for each.

To see a larger version, just click on the painting. You'll also see the title, location and the date that I finished the artwork.

ENTIRE COLLECTION PDFS & ALPHABETICAL LIST

To learn more about beautiful Spokane, Washington, its highlights and history, visit the web site: www.tourtheinlandnw.com/EasternWACities/Spokane.html.

Enjoy your visit, and click on Ordering for information on purchasing!

 

 

DOWNTOWN SPOKANE

"The Golden Carousel" ~ (PAINTED MARCH 1997 • ACRYLIC ON CANVAS • 8X10-INCH)

The carousel at Riverfront Park carries hundreds of riders in merry circles during Spokane’s warm-weather season. I.D. Looff finished the carousel in 1909 which was elaborate in every detail with dozens of multi-sized mirror panels and 180 glittering lights. Too expensive for Natatorium Park at a price of $20,000, Looff struck a special deal. If the park would allow his son, Louis Vogel to run the carousel and other concessions on a percentage basis, Looff would ship the carousel to the park as a wedding gift for his daughter Emma.

When the park closed in 1968, its property developed into residential housing, the carousel was dismantled and stored. With the opening of Spokane’s World Fair, Expo 74 at 100-acre Riverfront Park, one of the most anticipated events was the re-opening of the carousel ~ not just for viewing, but for riding! Housed in a protective building, this merry-go-round is available to children of all age.

For more information about this wonderful treasure, visit them on the webs at spokanecarousel.org.

"Flying South Over Spokane Falls" ~ (PAINTED SEPTEMBER 2004 • ACRYLIC ON CANVAS • 8X10-INCH)

Not only did famed architect, Kirtland K. Cutter, create dozens of beautiful homes and handsome landmark buildings in Spokane, he also leant his design flair to other projects. This is a portrait of the majestic Monroe Street Bridge, which spans the river at the west end of downtown Spokane. (The photo to the right was taken in the midst of the bridge’s recent ambitious restoration.)

In 1910, John Ralston, Spokane’s city engineer and designer of the grand span, invited Cutter to design its decorative handrails and lookout stations, which ultimately featured life size reliefs of bison skulls. In the background is pictured another famous landmark, the Washington Water Power Post Street Substation. Cutter designed the massive brick and basaltic rock industrial building in 1909. An interesting note ~ Washington Water Power’s first president, F. Rockwood Moore, gave Cutter his first commission for a mansion.

Entire Downtown Collection pdf ~ to see a pdf of all 3 paintings.

BROWNE'S ADDITION

"Fine Felines at the Finch House" ~ (PAINTED SEPTEMBER 2005 • ACRYLIC ON CANVAS • 8X10-INCH)

Located west of the MAC (Northwest Museum of Arts & Culture) in Spokane’s Browne's Addition, this beautiful four-columned mansion is a fine example of neoclassical architecture. Designed by Kirtland K. Cutter in 1897-98 for John A. Finch and his wife, Charlotte, it is arguably the most imposing house on this street of grand homes. John Finch was one of young Spokane’s wealthy businessmen, partnering with Amasa Campbell in several successful mining ventures.

In the foreground of this piece, I’m lounging on the lawn with my sisters, Marilee and Peggy, while my mother, Sally, is bringing us a plate of freshly baked cookies. This is a painting for cat lovers as 14 of them are sprinkled throughout the artwork. (Photo of the Finch house is courtesy of Sally Simpson.)

"Helen's Blue Bedroom" ~ (PAINTED DECEMBER 2006 • ACRYLIC ON CANVAS • 8X10-INCH)

The Amasa and Grace Campbell House, part of the MAC (Northwest Museum of Arts and Culture) complex in Spokane, Washington, is located in the heart of Browne's Addition.

Made wealthy through his mining partnership with neighbor, John A. Finch, Amasa and his family enjoyed luxurious living in this handsome Tudor-style home overlooking the Spokane River valley. One of several remarkable homes designed by renowned architect, Kirtland K. Cutter, this home has been meticulously restored and is available for touring.

Helen Campbell was the only daughter of Amasa and Grace, and this lovely setting was hers while she grew up in the Campbell mansion. The room is a delicate blend of blue, gold and white, set against a background of floral wallpaper and carpeting, with crisp white curtains framing the room’s stunning river view. The matching single bed, chest of drawers, secretary desk, standing mirror and nightstand are painted white with touches of gold. This artwork stars my lazy kitties, Andy and Sophie, who are pictured snuggling together for a cozy afternoon nap.

This building and many others is this picturesque neighborhood are listed on Spokane's historical register. For more information, please contact the MAC Museum (Northwest Museum of Arts & Culture) in Browne's Addition at 509.456.3931 or log on to www.northwestmuseum.org.

Entire Browne's Addition Collection pdf ~ Click here to see a 3-page pdf of all 13 paintings.

THE SOUTH HILL

NEW! ~ "Springtime Comes to Simpson Street (Detail)" ~ (PAINTED MARCH 2007 • ACRYLIC ON CANVAS • 16X20-INCH)

This is a detail of a large 16x20-inch painting of a neighborhood featuring houses that I have lived in and loved throughout the years. (See the complete painting on my Commission page. The Spokane Valley home is featured below.)

This home was the first residence that my parents purchased
after leaving the Poplar Arms Apartments in Browne's Addition. My sister, Marilee, and I are pictured in the foreground of this pretty little home on Lincoln Street playing
while our grandparents keep a watchful eye. My folks, Sally and Joe are enjoying a much needed moment of relaxation on the back lawn. We lived right next door to the Roberts' family whose home is the featured artwork on my Welcome page. This home was remodeled in the 1950s, and sadly, looks nothing like the cottage pictured here.

NEW! ~ "Evening at St. John the Evangelist" ~ (PAINTED MARCH 2005 • ACRYLIC ON CANVAS • 8X10-INCH)

Even if you never leave the freeway on your travels East through Spokane, when you look towards the South Hill neighborhood, the spires of the Cathedral of St. John the Evangelist are clearly visible against the skyline.

The dream of Right Reverend Edward Makin Cross (Third Bishop of Spokane), the project was begun in 1925 by architect and parishioner, Harold C. Whitehouse. This majestic Gothic-style cathedral is French-influenced.

With its exterior constructed of stone from Tacoma, Washington, the interior features sandstone from Idaho (nave) and limestone from Indiana. Work on the building project proceeded through most of the 1900s.

The cathedral prides itself on opening its doors to everyone ~ as its carvings and stain glass windows include symbols of many faiths. It is a “house of prayer for all people.” To learn more about this remarkable setting, visit their web site at www.stjohns-cathedral.org.

"Marycliff in May" ~ (PAINTED APRIL 2003 • ACRYLIC ON CANVAS • 8X10-INCH)

Designed by famed architect Kirtland K. Cutter, this English-style home was built for F. Lewis Clark in 1898. The rear grounds of the walled estate also included a water tower ~ a glimpse of which is showing in this painting. In 1909 the house on Seventh Avenue was sold to the Burgess Lee Gordons who donated “Undercliff” in 1929 to Bishop Charles D. White ~ and it opened as “Marycliff,” a private high school for girls. May is a particularly pretty month in Spokane, and the school celebrated “Mother Mary Day,” a coronation festival held in the grotto on the school grounds. Marycliff High School closed in the early ‘70s, leaving its students and faculty with many fond memories. The beautifully preserved building still stands today as “Undercliff.”

"My Grandmother's Garden" ~ (PAINTED MARCH 2005 • ACRYLIC ON CANVAS • 8X10-INCH)

My father’s mother, Jessie Simpson, loved to garden. Although she passed away when I was only six-years-old, I remember clearly the beautiful grounds surrounding my grandparent’s home. Built on a double lot not far from Rockwood Boulevard on the lower portion of Spokane’s South Hill, half of the property housed this beautiful “Arts & Crafts” style bungalow, and the other, my grandmother’s huge magnificent gardens. Filled with rockery, foot paths, little tucked away seats, a grape arbor ~ and hundreds of colorful blooms ~ Jessie Simpson’s gardens were a magical place for children. My sister, Marilee (who has inherited my grandmother’s “green thumb”), my mother, Sally, and I are pictured in the lower right hand corner of this painting, holding our plants and receiving a valuable bit of gardening wisdom from my grandmother.

MANITO PARK

"The Davenport Fountain at Duncan Gardens" ~ (PAINTED JUNE 1997 • ACRYLIC ON CANVAS • 8X10-INCH)

The Davenport Fountain was donated in 1956 by his family in the memory of Louis M. Davenport ~ longtime owner of the downtown Spokane landmark hotel that bears his name.

Located in the center of John W. Duncan Gardens (named for the Manito Park superintendent), it is the“star” of the formal European Renaissance-style gardens that surround it.

This beloved setting has hosted dozens of weddings throughout the years. The fountain is filled with pennies tossed by “wishing” natives and visitors alike who are drawn to the colorful destination every summer.

Note: You'll find another photo of the fountain and gardens at the top of this page.

"Swans at Manito Pond" ~ (PAINTED MAY 1997 • ACRYLIC ON CANVAS • 8X10-INCH)

The Duck Pond at Manito Park is altered from the setting shown in this painting. This lovely, spring-fed pond was known in its youth as “Mirror Lake” when is was much larger. It is located in the lower northeastern corner of Manito (Native American word for “hilltop”) Park, which was deeded to the city of Spokane in 1904. The pond, home for hundreds of ducks and swans in warmer months, has undergone many “facelifts” over the years. The most recent change to the vegetation surrounding it occurred as a result of a devastating ice storm of 1996. These two landmark mammoth weeping willows became weakened by the storm and had be be cut down, leaving a simple grass-covered island.

For more information about this wonderful South Hill Park, visit www.thefriendsofmanito.org.

Entire South Hill Collection pdf ~ Click here to see an 8-page pdf of all 38 paintings.

THE NORTH SIDE

NEW! ~ "Flowerfield in the Fall" ~ (PAINTED AUGUST 2003 • ACRYLIC ON CANVAS • 8X10-INCH)

Located on the banks of the Little Spokane River, Flowerfield was once the 120-acre summer estate of Louis Davenport and his family.

In 1912, Davenport commissioned renowned architects Kirtland K. Cutter and Karl Malmgren to design what was to become the grandest hotel in Spokane’s history. Closed for decades, The Davenport Hotel was restored to its former glory and re-opened to the public in the early 2000s.

After his death in 1951, Davenport’s summer estate was purchased in 1955, and became St. George’s School. Davenport’s lovely two-story residence is still part of the campus. For more information on St. George's, visit their web site at www.sgs.org. (Photo courtesy of John Meyer.)

"Springtime Celebration at Holy Names Academy" ~ (PAINTED MARCH 1997 • ACRYLIC ON CANVAS • 8X10-INCH)

My sisters, chums, teachers and I are pictured celebrating the spring festival at Holy Names Academy. This imposing red stone building functioned as a “normal school” (teachers’ college) before it became a private school for girls. Located a few blocks from St. Aloysius Church, HNA closed its doors in 1975.

The empty building sank into sad disrepair until 1987, when it was developed into “The Academy,” a non-denominational full-scale retirement community, by local developer, Harry Green.

An interesting fact ~ the academy building was featured for a a few minutes in the movie starring, Johnny Depp, “Benny & Joon.”

Entire North Side Collection pdf ~ Click here to see the 2-page pdf of all 10 paintings.

NEW! ~ "Springtime Comes to Simpson Street (Detail)" ~ (PAINTED MARCH 2007 • ACRYLIC ON CANVAS • 16X20-INCH)

When Bernard Street on Spokane’s South Hill was widened into an arterial, my parents pack up us kids and headed to the suburbs of the Spokane Valley, due east of the city and at the foot of Tower Mountain.

Our new neighborhood was filled with playmates of all ages ~ I still keep in touch with many of the friends that I made then.

This piece shows my little brothers, Bob (with our dogs, Chum and Andy),Bill and John in the foreground. Sisters Marilee and Peggy have just returned from a bike ride. I’m pictured helping my folks, Sally and Joe, prepare dinner “al fresco” on the deck.

"The Barton Snow Fort" ~ (PAINTED DECEMBER 1992-1997) • ACRYLIC ON CANVAS • 8X10-INCH)

This painting was an ongoing labor of love for me. My youngest sister, Peggy, married her husband, Jeff Barton, in the early 1970s, and then moved to the San Francisco area, and subsequently Honolulu, Oahu. After years apart, Jeff made the decision to return to Spokane to take over his family’s business. To our family’s delight, Peggy came "home." The couple selected an architect who designed and built a handsome contemporary three-story home with a panoramic view of the Spokane Valley.

Their family began growing. First their son Michael arrived, then their daughter, Kelly, then Mark and Brooklynn. When Peggy married Jeff, she brought her frisky black cockapoo, Andy, with her. During moves (see the other Spokane Valley artwork, "Springtime Comes to Simpson Street"), Andy landed with my parents. Later the Peg and Jeff added Rascal, another cockapoo. Years later, after Andy and Rascal returned to their “kennel-in-the-sky,” the Bartons brought two cocker spaniels home ~ Cocoa and Honeybee. Somewhere along the line, a very independent calico cat, Zoe, made the Barton house her home as well.

I did my best to keep up with this constantly changing household, altering the original painting three times (this is the final rendition), and giving my little sister updated prints along the way ~ one of which still hangs in their home during the holidays. For decades, Peg and Jeff hosted a huge feast for their extended family on Christmas Eve ~ inspiration for this warm and friendly holiday artwork.

Entire Spokane Valley Collection pdf ~ Click here to see the 2-page pdf of all 7 paintings.

NEW! ~ "Aunt Mare's House with the Yellow Door" ~ (PAINTED JULY 1999 • ACRYLIC ON CANVAS • 8X10-INCH)

Aunt Mare Berdan purchased a summer house next door to Dean, Kelly, Rachel, Max and Maggie Feldmeier ~ much to their delight! Nephew Dean created a path, connecting the homes for easy access. When Auntie Mare had her "new" house painted, the front door shone with her favorite "signature" yellow. Ever the perfect neighbor, she's "Flag Girl" on the Feldmeier boat; always has a 5:00 p.m. Chardonnay on the deck for Kelly, and fresh strawberries from the Farmer's Market for Max. Her home is a magnet for Rachel and Max both inside out ~ they love to visit and she loves to watch them at play. Sandpoint is a special spot for the Feldmeier family, but even more so with much loved Auntie Mare right next door. (Photo courtesy of Kelly Feldmeier.)

NEW! ~ "The Lake" ~ (PAINTED MARCH 2007 • ACRYLIC ON CANVAS • 8X10-INCH)

In 1945 Effie and Dick McKay built the original cabin on Newman Lake in Eastern Washington.

Remodeled in 20 by Nancy and Paul Burton, this cabin has been home to three generations of summer fun.

Jean Burton commissioned this original painting portraying the cabin, and this photo is courtesy of her.

Entire Northern Washington/Idaho Collection pdf ~ Click here to see the 2-page pdf of all 8 paintings featuring lots of lakeside settings.

This "Spokane Washington Collection" page gives you just a brief sampling of the dozens of paintings I've finished celebrating this lovely city. For a complete listing of all of the current titles and a brief description of each piece of artwork, please click here for that library.

IF YOU'D LIKE TO REACH ME ~

TELPHONE: 425.868.9238

E-MAIL: artist@pattisimpsonward.com

WEB SITE: www.pattisimpsonward.com