MY SWEET PRINCE DOUG ~ IN HEAVENT AT LAST . . .
ABOUT US • Doug and I shared 25 amazing years, 23 of them as husband and wife. These were the happest of my life and went by much too quickly. After being told he had six months to live, Doug fought another six years, most of them rewarding. But his cancer finally took him in September 2023. 2025 was our 26th Anniversary, and I miss him every day.
"THE ONE" • There are no perfect couples, but there are those who are perfect for each other. That was our life and I will always be grateful we found each other. I thank God for all the photos of special moments, especially this one from April 2000.
TWO DREAMS REALIZED . . .
PEBBLE BEACH TRIP • As share on my BIOGRAPHY page, In Autumn 2022, the last item on Doug's "bucket list" happened when we joined another couple we loved at Pebble Beach. Perfect weather, perfect friends, perfect golf in the low 70s with a Scottish bagpiper at dusk. Who could ask for more?
2023 BIRTHDAYS & ANNIVERSARY • With plans dashed by COVID twice, we returned to our Princeville, Kawaii resort, then to Maui to visit Doug's pals Jim and Debi Gordon's cottage, then back for more time in Kawaii with niece Izzy and nephew Scot whose aunt and uncle lived nearby. Precious memories!
CELEBRATING AGAIN . . .
THE LITTLE THINGS • Weddings are the happienst part of SPRING INTO SUMMER for many! I've shared some ideas on this page to help make your once-in-a-lifetime event happen in a truly special way. There is nothing more wonderful that two people who are deeply in love finding each other and pledging to care for one another other untill the end of their lives. Bliss of the BEST kind . . .
THE PROPOSAL AND WHAT FOLLOWS • Engagement can be magic, from the moment your sweetheart pops the questions until you celebrate the day of your dreams with those you love and those who love you.
CHOICES • After the proposal, it's the start of the process that brings many of these. As you go through the process of planning details, remember to breathe and take time to appreciate all the good moments you are creating. Best wishes for not only a joy-filled future, but the courage to become a team to meet the issues that life will inevitably bring your way. A good marriage is everything.
Everyone wants a beautiful invitation. These are easy to find online and at stationery shops, but it you want something truly unique and completely personal, my work may be a good fit for you. As an award-winning fine artist, professional graphic designer, and art director with decades of experience, I can create almost any type of invitation to suit your taste. However . . .
MY UNIQUE SPECIALTY • My specialty is one-of-a-kind invitations with your portrait. Months prior to your event, I can creare fine art for use as cover art on invitations and other materials. It's so personal, many clients prefer these lovely detailed works to photographs as the perfect unique memento.
STEP 1 • INITIAL CONSULTATION • This complimentary consultation is all about details. it's best to do this in-person where I'll share sample paintings (and more) created over the years. I usually don't suggest online consultations, but it can be the only way. NOTE • You may have found an invite you like • please share it now.
YOUR PARTNER-TO-BE • If your fiance is with you and you both are sticklers for the tradition of not seeing you in your gown before the share as a wedding gift. A little planning, plus cooperation from friends and family, can go a long way toward helpng you decide.
AM I THE RIGHT DESIGNER • All my work is custom and much of it hand-made, so smaller orders are best. We'll discuss quantity, timeframe for completion, collateral items, and whether my work is the best fit for us all.
COPYRIGHT • All my work is copyrighted (©). You will notice the (©) icon on all my art. Please respect it. After I create your art, I reserve the right to use it to promote my business on my webite and product i.e. calendars, etc. Copyright means you may NOT reproduce the image in ANY manner without my written permission.
Highlight • The art (left) I did of our wedding party was a gift for my husband on our 4th Wedding Anniversary. NOTE: I've shared 10 other paintings below in the Examples of my Wedding Portraits section.
STEP 2 • PLANNING YOUR PORTRAIT
THUMBNAIL SKETCH • At this stage, you will have chosen your setting and shared images of it with me either on-line or in-person. If not, in some cases I can do an small photo shoot of the church, grounds, gardens or whatever you've selected. At this time, we'll address the specifics of your portrait.
STEP 3 • FEE, CREATIVE PROCESS, AND DELIVERY OF YOUR WEDDING "MASTERPIECE"
A SIMPLE FORMULA • I charge by the number of hours I estmate it will take to complete the artwork using all the details gathered in our complimentary planning meeting. We'll sign an agreement and I'll receive your deposit of 50% of the total estimated amount. The balance of 50% plus any additional incurred expenses by changes or additions to the art is due upon receipt. At that time, sales tax • if in Washington State • for the entire amount is also due. I accept VISA, MASTERCARD, DISCOVER, AMERICAN EXPRESS, and in some cases, personal checks.
POSSIBLE SECOND LOOK • As the project progresses, sometimes we'll schedule a second consultation to ensure all your wishes for your details are being met correctly. When your "Mastepiece" is finished, you may wish to order prints for members of your wedding party and / or family.
STEP 4 & 5 • NOTE • Find these near the foot of this page.
10 WEDDING PORTRAITS • CREATED OVER THE YEARS FOR BOTH CLIENTS AND DEAR FRIENDS
WEDDING PROGRAM FEATURING FINE ART
ADDING MY FINE ART OF THE DAVENPORT FOUNTAIN TO CREATE A MEMENTO
FINE ART TOUCH • Although the young couple chose text-only invitations and collateral items from another designer, one evening before their ceremony, the bride-to-be went online to find images of the fountain at Duncan Garden. This iconic Manito Park garden setting was where the couple planned to exchange vows. My website popped up and shared my portrait of it.
IMAGINATION AND CREATIVITY • Nicole reached out to me to for a meeting as she was "enchanted by the artwork." When we got together at the Manito's Park Bench Cafe, she shared her wedding invitation and some other collateral items with me.
The one last-minute item the couple wanted for their wedding day was a program for guests to keep as a memento. In addition to being a fine artist, she was thrilled to learn that I was an accomplished graphic designer as well. We put our heads together and I sketched out a sample program on a napkin, using details from her invitation for the border and color-matching the Pantone ink colors. "Bernhard Modern" was part of my font library for the cover and interior, so this project was a seamless match to their other materials. We used my portrait, "DAVENPOR FOUNTAIN AT DUNCAN GARDEN" for the couple's cover art.
SUCCESS! • The wedding was a short week away, but the ducks lined up as the guest list for the vows was small. Add to that, my art studio had everything I needed to complete the design and produce the charming memento (left). It was a dream come true for the bride and groom.
ELEGANT TEXT STYLE INVITATION
FINE ART OR ELEGANT TEXT STYLE WEDDING INVITATIONS
Click on the invitation image (left) or on Wedding Invitation pdf to see a collection of sample coordinated wedding items. I created these for our son Kevin's wedding at the historic Thornewood Castle by American Lake near Tacoma, WA. Highlight • See the painting above in the Examples of My Wedding Portraits section.
COLLATERAL ITEMS
To make your once-in-a-lifetime event even more special, consider adding one or more of these items. An invitation packet for family, wedding party members, and guests can consist of as many as seven items. We'll discuss what works best for you.
STEP 4 • FINALIZING DETAILS • By now, you and your fiance will have finalized the text and colors for designing your project. You may consider adding ribbon, scalloped edges to soften your presentation. At this point I create samples for you to review and approve.
When everything's finalized, I'll estimate the cost and completion date. We'll sign an agreement and I'll receive your deposit of 50% of the total estimated amount. The balance of 50% plus any additional incurred expenses by changes or additions to the art is due upon receipt of the finished piece. At that time, sales tax (if in Washington State) for the entire amount is also due. I accept VISA, MASTERCARD, DISCOVER, AMERICAN EXPRESS, and in some cases, personal checks.
STEP 5 • MOCK-UPS, SIGN OFF, PRODUCTION, AND FINAL DELIVERY ~ As soon as your sample items are complete, you will review and sign off on them so production can begin. NOTE • ALL PROOFING IS THE CLEINTS' RESPONSIBILITY ONLY. I AM NOT REPSPONSILBLE FOR ERRORS OF ANY KIND • TYPOS, TEXT CONTENT OR ANYTHING ELSE.
SUGGESTED TIME-FRAME FOR MAILING • Often couples mail "Save the Dates" six months to a year prior to their ceremony. It is commonly recommended that your invitation packets be mailed three months prior to your wedding day.
If you've commissioned a wedding portrait for your invitations, you and your sweetheart will be the proud owners of a very special memento of the most important day of your lives, plus your friends and family with have copies of the image as a remembrance as well.
QUESTIONS
iPhone • 206.406.1409 (Talk, Text & Voicemail)
PittyPat Studio • "AMERICANA" FINE ART ~ QUESTIONS? Please call or text me.
On the Web • PattiSimpsonWard.com
Please Visit my Facebook Page • "PattiSimpsonWardArt."
