Patti Simpson Ward's 2012 WINTER COLLECTION: Kitties, Kind Hearts, Cozy Days and the Campbell House in Spokane, Washington

Featured quotes on each page honor HAPPY HEARTS: "A smile is the light in the window of your face that tells people that your heart is at home." ~ Unknown

Welcome to my web site and Winter 2012 Collection.

With the grey, rainy months we "enjoy" here in the Pacific Northwest, it's all about hot soup on the stove, a glowing fire, and cuddling up with your special someone.

It doesn't hurt to have a cat on your lap, too . . . and Miss Sophie (pictured here) is great company. January, February and March are my "creative" months, and when I'm working at my easel, Sophie frequently tucks herself between me and the back of my chair. My husband Doug and I love her dearly, especially since we lost her brother Andy a year ago. You'll find both of our feline friends in many of my paintings.

VALENTINE'S DAY

Aren't we lucky that Valentine's Day fall this time of year? It warms our hearts makes us grateful for the loved ones in our lives.

A Special Thank You & Giving Back ~ Thank you to the dozens of friends and patrons who came by local art fairs or found me on the web during the 2011 holiday season. Your kind support means SO much. Every year, I donate a portion of my annual proceeds to local non-profits. I'm happy to give back when so many have been so good to me over the years.

WHERE YOU CAN FIND MY WORK:

Find me at these and other locations on my Retail page:

• Western Washington ~ The Kirkland Arts Center Store at the Parkplace Shopping Center in Kirkland features works from over 100 artist members and instructors. It operates seven days a week and accepts major credit cards. (KirklandArtsCenter.com ~ 425.827.8219)
• Eastern Washington ~ The MAC (Northwest Museum of Arts & Culture) Gift Shop in Browne's Addition, Spokane has a great selection as well. Call or check their web site for hours. (NorthwestMuseum.org ~ 509.456.3931)

NAVIGATING MY 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 on each to see it.

NEW! BUTTONS ~ Red buttons highlight recently finished work from 2010 and 2011.

"DELIGHTFUL DINING AT THE CAMPBELL HOUSE"

This artwork features our kitty pals, Andy and Sophie. These two are about to get into trouble in this beautiful formal dining room at the historic Campbell House in Spokane washington.

Decorated with a nod to Valentine's Day with a garland of pink hearts overhead, the table is dressed for a winter dinner party ~ but the fine preparations are in jeopardy because of the naughty kitties.

(NOTE: Andy and Sophie are in the artwork because I'm writing a book filled with historical tidbits, photos and paintings, "Andy & Sophie Visit the Campbell House.")

Designed in 1889 by renowned Kirtland K. Cutter in Browne's Addition (west of downtown and the city's oldest neighborhood), he is also famous for the Monroe Street Bridge, Davenport Hotel, Spokane Athletic Club (see these on my Spokane page) and dozens of truly beautiful residences. More than nearly any other architect, he has left his creative "thumbprint" on Spokane.

Background on the Campbells ~ Wealthy businessman Amasa, his wife Grace and daughter Helen lived in the Campbell House until his death and Helen's wedding (which took place in 1917). Grace donated the home to become the Cheney-Cowles Museum, and when I was a "Camp Fire Girl" in grade school, my mother Sally brought us here for field trips. Later when Seattle was my home, the campus was enlarged and restoration began on the mansion. Remarkably, a book compiled by Cutter with details about the house (wallpaper samples, etc.) was found on the third floor servants' quarters ~ invaluable to the project. I stop by to see the progress on the project most times I visit town ~ I've always loved this setting.

Visit my What's New page to see all 12 of the Campbell House Collection pieces (with more "in-the-works"). My Calendar page previews the 2012 Campbell House edition created especially for the MAC (sold out on this site), but a copy may be available through the MAC gift shop. For more information and for opportunities to support the MAC, visit them at NorthwestMuseum.org.

WINTER 2012 ARTWORK

I usually feature winter/early spring-themed paintings (ice skating, skiing, early spring gardens, etc.) this time of year, but as my What's New page is all about the Campbell House, you'll find these peppered throughout the Puget Sound, Spokane and More Paintings. ENJOY!

My husband Doug and I are in the process of downsizing. It's bittersweet, as for over a decade, this has been a great house surrounded by friendly neighbors ~ perfect for entertaining.

I love decorating for the seasons (no secret to anyone who knows me). When we married, sweet Doug built a wall of shelves in the garage to house my seasonal decorations. These are packed now and the house staged for selling ~ so no friendly hearts this year.

I've shared our 2011 decor here ~ I miss its friendly feel...

My mother Sally shared the tradition of changing the theme of our home with the holidays/seasons growing up in Spokane. She corralled us into the process and was always creating or decorating something. She has a fine creative “eye” and still enjoys dressing up her condominium for the seasonal holidays. At 84 going on 34, she always inspires!

Our dining room table above is dressed with cabbage roses (a favorite pattern from April Cornell ~ AprilCornell.com). Heart-based champagne flutes, scarlet ribbons and peach linens carry out the theme.

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

WELCOME ~ You're here!

WHAT'S NEW ~ "THE CAMPBELL HOUSE COLLECTION” ~ Visit this page to see my collection of a dozen (8 NEW) paintings honoring the restored residence that is part of the MAC (Spokane's Northwest Museum of Arts & Culture) complex. I've shared a lots of history on the setting here, as well.

CALENDARS (Sold out on this web site) ~ Some copies may be available through:

• Kirkland Art Center Store ~ KirklandArtsCenter.com
• MAC Gift Shop (Spokane) ~ NorthwestMuseum.org

Calendars can be ordered on a very limited basis by special order (please call for details at 206.406.1409). Click on the bold titles below to see the artwork featured in each edition.

• EASTSIDE (Volume 6): Great Places to See on the Eastside ~ This edition features Eastside settings with two selected works from each of six communities: Redmond, Woodinville, Bellevue, Medina, Kirkland and Snoqualmie. Two paintings are NEW ~ one a re-working of Woodinville's Hollywood Schoolhouse, and the other, the old Redmond Schoolhouse Community Center.
• REDMOND CENTENNIAL: Honoring 100 Years of Redmond ~ This is a special edition celebrating the 100-year birthday of Redmond, Washington. When Doug and I first married, our home was part of Redmond (later incorporated into Sammamish). I was very involved with this community and served on the board of the Redmond Historical Society for seven years. This features ten well-known settings like the NEW paintings of the Adair House at Anderson Park (Redmond's oldest park), the Redmond Schoolhouse Community Center (home of the Redmond Historical Society). You'll also see portraits of the Stone House, Bill Brown Building, Justice White House, Rosetree Cottage, Marymoor Mansion and Windmill, as well as two charming residences.
• SNOHOMISH (Volume 3): Remarkable Residences in Snohomish ~ You'll find seven NEW paintings in this third edition: the restored Blackman House (Snohomish Historical Society Museum), the Vestal House with its matching tree house and gazebo), O'Connell's pretty corner cottage and others. I've rounded out the calendar with past pieces chosen to enhance each month from my Snohomish collection of nearly two dozen works. Special thanks goes to Penny O'Connell for all her help with historical fact finding.
• SPOKANE: MAC EDITION: Legendary Landmarks of Spokane ~ Produced especially for the MAC (Spokane's Northwest Museum of Arts & Culture), this calendar features a dozen scenes that are perhaps not "landmarks" in the purest sense of the word, but indeed beloved by Spokanites. You'll see the Monroe Street Bridge, Davenport Hotel, Manito Park's Duncan Gardens, Saint John the Evangelist Cathedral, the old Holy Names Academy building, Spokane Athletic Club, Gonzaga University's Bishop White Seminary, Patsy Clark's, Hannah's Garden Inn, the Looff Carousel, the Crescent Window at Christmastime and more!
• SPOKANE MAC EDITION: Northwest Museum of Arts & Culture's Campbell House ~ Also designed for the MAC, this edition honors their own beautifully restored Amasa Campbell House with portraits of both exterior and interior settings. You'll see the library decorated for Christmas, three bedrooms, kitchen, formal dining room, linen room, basement laundry and more. Seven paintings are NEW and one is revised. Special thanks goes to Marsha Rooney for her generous help with historic accuracy.

NOTE ~ There are a few past issues available (1994 - 2011). You'll find a complete list at the foot of my Calendar page. Please contact me at 206.406.1409 (iPhone) if you are interested.

FOUR JOURNALS-FOR-A-YEAR ~ For folks who want to enjoy more than 12 paintings and want something that doesn't have a shelf life, created four Journals-for-a-Year. Each features 40+ different paintings ~ two from all over Washington State and two with Spokane-only settings. Good for any year as they're not date-specific, they are peppered with thoughts to inspire. Visit my Calendar page for more info on these.

ARTWORK COLLECTIONS ~ During my many years as a fine artist, I've created hundreds of paintings and drawings which are divided into three collections. These three web pages feature artwork that changes with the seasons and holidays ~ plus links to pdfs with thumbnails and stories for all the works in each collection.

• Puget Sound, Washington ~ This showcases historic landmarks, schools, churches, homes, wineries, parks ~ with a few boats, too in honor of the prolific lakes, rivers and majestic Puget Sound.
• Spokane, Washington ~ You'll find landmarks like the Monroe Street Bridge, Davenport Hotel, Saint Aloysius Church at Gonzaga University, the Looff Carousel ~ plus gazebos, parks, churches, schools and dozens of beautiful homes.
• More Paintings ~ Settings span the United States from the Oregon Coast to New England ~ and all the way to the former Soviet Union. Subjects include forest creatures, cats, fire trucks, trains and more, plus a special holiday collection of golfing Santas, elves and snowmen.

The BIG List ~ At the foot of each page, you can link to an alphabetical list of titles and descriptions of all the paintings by collection (plus a handful of sketches). Red bold type on this list links you to pieces currently featured throughout the site.

COMMISSION ~ This is my favorite genre and means a great deal as I've recreated settings for clients from all over the United States and beyond ~ making wonderful friends in the process.

• HOME PORTRAITS & MORE IN YOUR CHOICE OF MEDIA:
• Acrylic on canvas paintings
• Pen & Ink line drawings
• Pen, ink & pastels artwork

• PERSONAL PORTRAITS:
• Sample portraits of our grandchildren: “Austin at Play” and "Baby Bunny Addison.

Filled with personal detail, commissioned pieces are cherished mementos. This page shares a step-by-step guide for commissioning artwork. Frequently, I include a finished work in one of my calendars. It's a great way to share your portrait 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 Store at Parkplace, Kusler's Pharmacy and Gift in Snohomish, 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 directly (calendars, journals, framed prints, gift packets cards and magnets) as well as details on determining the fee for commissions. You'll find an easy-to-use downloadable pdf form that you can fax, scan/email or mail me (the old-fashioned way) via U.S.P.S. (Now accepting Visa, MasterCard and American Express. Please call me at 206.406.1409 for details.)

BIOGRAPHY ~ This is my "life story" page. Here I share highlights that have helped me develop as an American Primitive artist ~ from my first grade report card all the way up to the present. I've also posted pdfs of press clippings and magazine articles here.

BRIDAL ~ Weddings are wonderful! Visit this page if you are interested in having a custom wedding portrait created as a memento. Much of the artwork shared here was commissioned by clients for their invitations, but I also have traditional text-style samples. You'll also find suggestions for collateral items like R.S.V.Ps, shower invites, ceremony programs and more that I can design to dovetail with your theme.

 

QUESTIONS ABOUT THE ARTWORK?

iPhone: 206.406.1409

Email: artist@pattisimpsonward.com

On the Web: PattiSimpsonWard.com