MORE PAINTINGS • 24 SPRING INTO SUMMER WORKS DIVIDED INTO 5 THEMES FROM MY 86+ PIECE COLLECTION

50TH ANNIVERSARY OF CREATING / EXHIBITING MY AMERICANA ART

CORNWALL, U.K. • ROSAMUNDE PILCHER • This author I've loved for decades, had a way of involving her readers deeply in everything she wrote. Although she died in 2019, readers still love "The Shell Seekers," "Coming Home" and a recently found book of stories, "A Place Like Home." They inspired my side trip Cornwall during Doug's 50th birthday 2002 Great Britain golf trip.

COMFORTING WORDS • On a restless night (I still have many), while reading, I found Pilcher's musings on death • "Death is like a mountain ... each person climbs alone ... Childhood ... is warm, sunny, like a ... meadow with buttercups ... When you start the climb ... it's steeper, not so easy ... but if you stop to look, the views are worth the effort ... At the very top ... where snow and ice glitter in sunshine ... the summit is beautiful beyond belief ... an achievement ... the end of a long journey." • Her comforting words slipped me into sleep.

In 2002, on this trip with Doug, Ric Metzger and Brent Orrico, in Scotland, I left them, chugging south to Cornwall. Lodging was in a Sea Captain's home (see it Group 3 Other Settings U.K. below). I visited art galleries, a WWII museum, and walked Land's End's cliffs. Lunch was a Cornish pasty sitting on the Saint Ives' harbor wall, and dinner a shandy and "catch of the day" at the Sliding Tackle Tavern (mentioned in Pilcher's books). NOTE • More on my Cornish Riviera memories below.

 

 

 

 

The MORE PAINTINGS page shares other settings and subjects from the Pacific NW (Everett, WA's Fire Department and several golf scenes not featured on my PUGET SOUND and SPOKANE (INLAND NW) pages. Here, you'll find paintings beyond the Pacific Northwest from all over the U.S.A., including Alaska and Hawaii. Included also are settings from the United Kingdom, the former Soviet Union, and more. Portraits of people, pets and additional Holiday scens are further down on this page. Find many SPRING INTO SUMMER images on this page.

 

 

FIVE THEMED GROUPS • AND MORE

As I shared above, I've divided this SPRING INTO SUMMER collection into five groups, plus some sub-catgories. Typically, the first image is SPRING-themed and the second, SUMMER. I've created nearly 100 paintings for the MORE PAINTINGS group. The art in my entire Americana Collection numbers 500+ pieces, enough to rotate my artwork through all seasons on this website. Find a handful of sketches on my COMMISSION page. NOTE • I created over 100 of these over the years for realtors to give to clients at closings.

 

THESE GROUPS INCLUDE:

 

NEW FINE ART, MY CREATIVE PROCESS AND ENTIRE COLLECTION PDFS

 

NOTE • Find ENTIRE COLLECTION pdfs after each of the 5 GROUPS below • These pdfs are updated with NEW art as my schedule allows.

 

 

 

 

 

GOLF COURSES & CLUBHOUSES • PACIFIC NW & BEYOND

"COTTAGE CLUBHOUSE AT JEFFERSON PARK" (BEACON HILL, SEATTLE, WA • PAINTED APRIL 20102 • ACRYLIC ON CANVAS • 8X10-INCH)

This artwork pictured the original cottage-style clubhouse (replaced with a new structure in 2010) that once served one of Seattle’s three municipal golf courses. This one was located in the Beacon Hill neighborhood just south of Downtown Seattle District. Two things made the setting special. First • Jefferson Park was the home course to renowned Masters’ winner golfing legend Fred Couples, pictured in the artwork on the putting green practicing his putting as a young man. Second • The course was famous for its colorful gardens and blossom-filled urns leading up to the clubhouse, on the tee boxes, and beside the fairways. Spring, Summer, and early Autumns days were particularly pretty at Seattle’s Jefferson Park Golf Course. Highlight • One of the guys Doug used to play with when he was part of A.S.U.’s golf team in the 1970s introduced me to Fred Couples at the 2010 PGA Senior tournament at Sahalee Country Club near our home at the time in Sammamish. I gave Fred a framed print of the vintage clapboard clubhouse with him in the foreground. Delighted with his gift, Fred Couples happily signed the back of my original art.

 

 

"PERFECT LABOR DAY MORNING • R.V.C.C." (MEDFORD, OR • PAINTED SEPTEMBER 2002 • ACRYLIC ON CANVAS • 8X10-INCH)

Rogue Valley Country Club (www.RVCC.com) in Medford, Oregon, hosted the largest match play golf tournament in the entire United States when I was inspired to paint this portrait honoring it. The “Southern Oregon,” as it’s affectionately known by its over 100 players, has been hugely popular for decades (over 50 years of participation for Doug). Every year, it guaranteed stiff competition in all of its men’s and women’s divisions. Nearly as popular as the late summer golf competition was the sprawling sun-drenched clubhouse deck, which overlooked the course, putting green and driving range. Breakfasts at sunrise, afternoon cocktails with friends, and dancing in the moonlit evenings, this deck was a magnet for all of the participants and their guests. Highlight • I pictured my prince of a golfer Doug practicing a few putts before the championship match he won in 2022 in his division of the Senior Flight, the last time he competed in this special event that he loved.

 

 

 

HOLIDAY GOLF SCENES • SOME REAL, BUT MOST IMAGINARY

NEW! "HEAVENLY HAPPY GOLFERS" (HEAVENLY IMAGINARY SETTINGS • PAINTED JANUARY 2024 • ACRYLIC ON CANVAS • 5X7-INCH)

These three golfers, each fitted with their much-earned angel wings, left us all too soon. Russ Ward (left angel) passed away on Christmas Eve 1998, a year and a half before his son Doug (middle angel) and I were married in April 2000.  Ric Metzger (right angel), Doug’s lifelong buddy since childhood and part of our wedding party, died of a sudden cardiac arrest soon after retuning from his trip with Doug, me,and golf pal Brent Orrico to the United Kingdom where we all play several British Open Courses. My sweetheart Doug passed away in September 2023 after fighting like hell for six-plus years to win his battle with Sarcoma Cancer. All of us these three left behind are certain these golf-loving angels reconnected in Heaven to celebrate “The Greatest Game” there. We also believe that Ric finally got his hole-in-one, a feat that eluded him during his time on earth. Highlight • To honor this last painting in our Holiday Collection (Christmas card art for 25 years), I dressed son Doug and his dad Russ in their signature Ward Irish Tartan plaid. This last painting was a homage to Doug’s passion for the game and his love for life in general. How blessed we were to have found each other and shared such a wonderful life!

 

 

"CHRISTMAS TREE ON THE CANDY CANE LINKS CART " (IMAGINARY HOLIDAY GOLF SETTING • PAINTED DECEMBER 2021 • ACRYLIC ON CANVAS • 8X10-INCH)

Tapped to join the Holiday decorating crew tasked with dressing up Candy Cane Links Clubhouse for the upcoming seasonal festivities, Doug and I found the perfect Douglas fir just off the course’s first tee box. Doug carefully tied it to the roof of the candy cane striped golf cart and the two of us made our way back to the clubhouse through a light snowfall to join our fellow decorators in this timeless tradition. Hot buttered rums, tasty seasonal treats, and plenty of good ‘ol Holiday good cheer awaited us for this much-anticipated annual activity. This golf-themed Christmas artwork was #23 in the series of annual Holiday images created since 1997 to honor my husband’s passion for ‘the Greatest Game.” For decades, Doug was a talented player since childhood Junior Golf years. When I learned he'd won the Overlake Men's Club Championship 11 times, I realized quite early in our relationship that he was blessed with a very special talen when it came to this game. Highlight • Doug inspired me to create a different golf image for our Holiday cards every year. He loved these and looked forward to what I dreamed up • some real and some imaginary settings for a total of 25!

 

 

• The Entire Golf Collection (Some Holiday) pdf • Click on this pdf to see and learn about all 18 paintings in this collection.

 

 

 

 

FIRE DEPARTMENT SCENES • EVERETT, ARLINGTON, WA, AND VINTAGE STATION HOLIDAY ART

"RIDING IN THE SALTY SEAS DAY PARADE" (EVERETT FIRE DEPARTMENT, EVERETT, WA • PAINTED NOVEMBER 1994 • 8X10-INCH)

In November 1994, I painted a portrait of the restored vintage Everett Fire Department (EverettFirefighters.org) fire truck Engine #2, one of several that made their way through the parade route crowd along the sidewalks of Downtown Everett. Retired firefighter Darrell Jensen drove the fire truck while EMS Chief Jack Robinson stood at the rear of the rig. Jack's young son and his pal shared the seats with Jack’s wife at the time, Bonnie Richter and me. Another firefighter’s two kids were outfitted “for action,” dressed head-to-toe in traditional bunker gear. Pictured in the background of this piece was handsome brick vintage Station #2 which had served the Everett community for decades as the headquarters for the Everett Fire Department. Highlight • In 2010, I donated the original painting to my longtime friend retired Fire Chief Murray Gordon. For many years this artwork was hung prominately in the E.F.D. vintage Headquarters building.

 

"EFD STATION #1 & THE OLD STEAMER" (EVERETT FIRE DEPARTMENT, EVERETT, WA • PAINTED OCTOBER 1993 •11X14-INCH)

The immaculate vintage Ahrens Fox 1906 pumper (otherwise known simply as “The Steamer”) has always been an Everett Fire Department (EverettFirefighters.org) iconic much loved vehicle. The steamer was delivered to the community’s fire department in December 1907, well over a century ago. I painted this portrait of it in the early 1990s, picturing it parked in front of what once was the very first fire station in Everett, Washington. Sadly, when traffic through town was revised to make way for Interstate 5, this charming stucco one-story building was demolished, a casualty of that ambitious project.
Highlight • For many years, folks were able to see the old vehicle sparkling like a dime with local firefighters at the reins when Everett celebrated “Salty Seas Days” with a big parade. That annual community event inspired this painting.

 

• The Entire Fire Departments Collection pdf • Click on this pdf to see and learn about all 8 paintings in this collection.

 

 

 

 

 

 

NEW ENGLAND AND THE MIDWEST • HOME SWEET HOMES

"FERRIS' FRISBEE FEST" (NORFOLK , PA. • PAINTED FEBRUARY 2023 • ACRYLIC ON CANVAS • 8X10-INCH)

This handsome Federal-style two-story was the home our niece Stephanie (brother John‘s daughter) and fiancé Ryan found in Virginia before starting their married life together. The couple met in San Diego when both were working there, and Ryan proposed to Steph in 2022. With a transfer in place for her Navy helicopter pilot to Norfolk, VA • and their wedding set for February 2023 in San Diego near “Hotel Del,” the couple’s Norfolk house-hunting excursion culminated quickly with their choice of this Colonial beauty. Blessed with a welcoming interior and a huge friendly yard, my brother John joined Steph, Ryan and their dog Ferris on their journey east to help them get settled in new home. I gave this special wedding gift artwork a “Ferris’ Frisbee Fest” theme with the couple hosting a party for their pooch • a frisbee in his mouth, of course! Guests included Steph and brother Tom‘s yellow lab Tugger from childhood days at Port Orchard. Joining Ferris and Tugger were golden retriever Chum and cockapoo Andy, part of our Simpson family pooch family in early Hayden Lake days. Highlight • I painted all the dogs’ initials in the balloons decorating the sky above the scene.

 

"OLD OLE ULVESTAD FARM" (CHOKO, MN • PAINTED OCTOBER 2009 •ACRYLIC ON CANVAS • 8X10-INCH)

This vintage farmhouse located in Choko, Minnesota, looks much the same as it did when it was built in 1899 by Ole Ulvestad. Notice the black buckboard buggy behind the house in the painting, a common mode of transportation at the time, especially in this rural area. Although a bit weather-beaten, the construction of the house must have been very sturdy for it to be standing well over 100 years. Only the windows and perhaps the roof of the structure appear to have been replaced. This piece was commissioned by Patricia Hampton and featured her father’s entire family. Most of his eight sisters wore their “Sunday best” frocks sewn from the same red plaid bolt of fabric by their mother (back upper right). I was told that doing this was a very common practice in those days. Her dad was the youngster in the front row. An avid genealogist, this painting was inspired by Pat’s journey to the Midwest in Summer 2009 to see the family’s Minnesota farm. She commissioned this work as a memento and gave framed prints to all her brothers and sisters as gifts at Christmas that year. Highlight • I was happy to allow her to use the art for the memory book she compiled on her family’s history. (Photo of the Ulvestad farmhouse courtesy of Patricia Hampton.)

 

THE SOUTHWEST (UTAH AND ARIZONA) • PRETTY PUBLIC PLACE AND HOME SWEET HOME

"HISTORIC LITTLE HOLLYWOOD (PARRY LODGE)" (KANAB, UTAH • PAINTED APRIL 2019 • ACRYLIC ON CANVAS • 11X14-INCH)

From the '30s to the '70s, Parry Lodge (ParryLodge.com) in Kanab, Utah was known as Little Hollywood. The Parry brothers (Chauncey, Gronway and Whit) photographed Utah’s countryside and then flew to California to entice big studios into making Westerns and othes in Utah. In 1928, they bought a New England-style farmhouse, converting it into a lodge for entertaining • with a big restaurant they lined with framed photos signed by their important guests. For decades, male stars like Tom Mix, John Wayne, Clark Gable, Henry Fonda, Joel McCrea, Frank Sinatra, Robert Redford • and leading ladies such as Dolores del Rio, Veronica Lake, Ava Gardner, Anne Bancroft, Maureen O’Hara stayed here. Dozens of cottages were "home" during on-location films • John Wayne installed a pool just because he thought the lodge needed one. Kanab folks signed on as extras, wranglers and stand-ins to help projects run smoothly for their important guests, as Westerns and later TV series were Kanab's “bread and butter.” When these gradually waned, the lodge served guests as a nostalgic reminder of its "Little Hollywood" days, naming cottages for stars and keeping the actors' photos in the restaurant. Parry Lodge still comes to life in Summer!

 

"BUDDY'S HAPPY HAVEN" (ALTA MESA, MESA, AZ • PAINTED FEBRUARY 2021• ACRYLIC ON CANVAS • 5X7-INCH)

In January 2021, just after arriving at our little desert getaway, both my husband Doug and I got really sick • me much worse than Doug. My hectic year-long schedule of selling our vintage cottage, moving into a new home, a full plate of home improvement, and my very busy Holiday art season finally caught up with me. Our next door neighbor Cathy Cheatham, assisted by husband Bob were nothing short of "Angels of Mercy" during January. She helped Doug look after me, leaving hearty homemade soups, fresh fruit, healthy beverages and more at our doorway, not to mention offering to run to the store as needed and generally caring for me in the kindest way. Within a few weeks, I was back to my best self, thanks to Kathy, Bob and Doug. These fellow “Snowbirds” who lived on a lake in South Dakota in Summer, had an energetic little black terrier-mix dog. Beloved “Buddy” was always a constant companion and the recipient of much shameless spoiling. Highlight • I completed this as a special thank-you gift for the couple, picturing Buddy among the flowers and yard art in Kathy's courtyard garden.

 

OREGON • TWO "HOME SWEET HOMES"

"SUN & FUN AT HAYSTACK ROCK" • (CANNON BEACH, OR • PAINTED MARCH 1999 • ACRYLIC ON CANVAS • 11X14-INCH)

This seaside portrait of Cannon Beach was a special birthday gift I painted for my sweetheart Doug Ward in 1999 when we were dating our way toward our engagement. A few months before in November 1998, we had vacationed with his family over the long Thanksgiving weekend at Cannon Beach, Oregon. The picturesque artists’ colony and beloved getaway has always been a favorite of many revelers who love this beach. For years, Doug’s family had enjoyed the Autumn tradition of spending Thanksgiving at this breathtaking destination. Among the vacationers in this ocean-side scene (lower right) were Doug's son Kevin with his girlfriend at the time Heather seated on a log (lower right). I pictured Doug’s brother Tom and his parents Kay and Russ standing behind the couple on the shoreline. I placed Doug and me in the left foreground of this art, gathering loose driftwood for a beach fire. Highlight • During early years together when Russ and Kay Ward were no longer up to making the trip to Oregon, Doug and I invited Sally Mom to join us instead • creating a new Holiday tradition. We had the best time spoiling her and she enjoyed greatly the Thanksgiving change of venue for a couple years before our wedding.


"AQUILA VISTA" (ASHLAND, OR • PAINTED JULY 2016 • ACRYLIC ON CANVAS • 8X10-INCH)

Italian for “Eagle View,” Aquila Vista, since construction began, it always enjoyed the sweeping view of Rogue Valley and Ashland, Oregon, sometimes from above the clouds. The beautiful two-story rancher was built on a hillside expressly to take advantage of this view. The lot was surrounded by a grove of Madrones, Pines and shrubbery that bursts into bloom every Spring. Notice the little tree house tucked into the forest above this residence. This remarkable home was the perfect gift from Mike Hiller to his wife Karen upon their retirement. In 2016, Karen and I met when we worked for Eddie Bauer's Headquarters in the Redmond, Washington. Years after we both moved on, Karen reached out to me to create this painting for her husband. Later I altered a print of the original, adding Christmas touches for which replaces this original during the Holiday Season. The Hillers shared, “It’s been a wonderfully restful place to enjoy a glass of wine from one of the local vineyards and to watch for wildlife, of course, like deer, elk, eagles and more.” Highlight • For decades, Ashland'a hosted its Oregon Shakespeare Festival and the Ashland Independent Film Festival (A.I.F.F.)

 

 

OFF THE MAINLAND (ALASKA AND HAWAII) • PRETTY PUBLIC PLACE AND AN ISLAND "HOME SWEET HOME"

"PORT-A-PORT ALASKA" (ALASKA-INSPIRED IMAGINARY SETTING • PAINTED DECEMBER 1982 • ACRYLIC ON CANVAS • 8X10-INCH)

This trading-post-themed painting was completed as a special Christmas gift for my friend Jack Marshall, pictured on the front porch of this rustic setting with his business partner at the time, Bob McClure. Inspired by the iconic finely detailed artwork created the by the late Americana artist Charles Wysocki (a huge influence on my style), this piece was a montage of all of the important people, places and issues Jack was facing in the early 1980s. Always most important were his three great kids Robbie, David and Kelly and his business partner and long-time sweetheart, Barbara Loomis. I’m pictured in the red woolen dress on the porch with a painting I had just finished creating for Jack's daughter Kelly as a well-earned Christmas gift that year. Highlight • I finished this fun nostalgic painting on my return from a vacation to Anchorage, Alaska that included a fun excursion to the foot of the rugged Alyeska Mountains •complete with a festive meal celebration shared with friends at the campy “Chilcote Charlie's” restaurant.

 

"PICNICKING AT THE KIHEI COTTAGE" (KIHEI, MAUI, HAWAII • PAINTED MARCH 2023 • ACRYLIC ON CANVAS • 8X10-INCH)

This sweet saltbox cottage near Wailea in Kihei on the sunlit paradise of Maui, Hawaii, became home to one of Doug's buddies from Bellevue High near Seattle. Years ago, Jim Gordon and his wife Debi packed their bags once
and for all, choosing this island as the perfect place to spend their retirement years, creating a little slice of paradise there. Debi was blessed with a very "green thumb" as evidenced by the lush and inviting gardens she created throughout the property that surrounded their charming cottage. When visiting Maui, it was always a treat for Doug and me to see these two as they treated us to several "field trips" to magical destinations we never would have discovered without them • great memories for us to cherish. Highlight • On our last trip there in March 2023, on the same day I gave the Gordon's this portrait of their home, the four of us took a day trip to Lahaina. We treated Debi and Jim to lunch at Mick Fleetwood's as they had never been there. What fun! Who knew that catastrophically, this destination would be reduced to ash by the fire that swept through Lahaina soon after our excursion there • and that Doug would be in Heaven six months after our special day there with the Gordons.

 

 

THE UNITED KINGDOM (GREAT BRITAIN & CANADA) • A SEA CAPTAIN'S INN IN CORNWALL AND A BELOVEDWHISTLER GETAWAY

"BEAUTIFUL BELYAR'S CROFT" (SAINT IVES • CORNWALL, GREAT BRITAIN• PAINTED FEBRUARY 2004 • ACRYLIC ON CANVAS • 8X10-INCH)

When I went to England in 2002 with Doug andMbuddies Brent Orrico and Ric Metzger, we celebrated his 50th birthday with lots of golf at British Open Courses. Who knew that Ric (the guys friends since childhood), would pass away within a year of our trip, making these memories even more special. After the first week, when the boys headed to West Scotland to play Turnberry, I boarded a train south for the Cornwall, also known as the “Cornish Riviera.” My destination was St. Ives, an artists’ colony where during my three-day visit, I stayed at the beautiful inn I painted here with ocean views from every room, especially mine on the third floor. It was surrounded by lush, colorful gardens lovingly tended by the proprietors who did a fine job of making all their guests feel like ”family.” They shared that the St. Ives Harbor was a short walk down the hill, which began a love affair with the seaside community I'll never forget. Highlight • I learned about Cornwall from “The Shell Seekers,” “Coming Home,” "September" and other story's by Pilcher. It was great fun exploring settings she introduced me to in her books! Such an unforgetable side trip!

 

"WINTER WEDDING AT WHISTLER" (WHISTLER, BRITISH COLUMBIA, CANADA, U.K. • PAINTED MARCH 2017 • ACRYLIC •5X7-INCH)

This portrait of beautiful Whistler Village in British Columbia was created to honor the marriage of dear friends, Michele Rostron and Brent Orrico. Brent's extended family owned a vacation home in Whistler, British Columbia for many years. Thus, this iconic setting was prettiest place that Doug’s ski-loving pal could have chosen for his intimate Winter wedding ceremony. As pictured in this painting, the ceremony was held outdoors near the skating rink, and yes, Brent asked that I paint Doug and me into the scene among the ice skaters as unfortunately, it was impossible for us to join the couple due to Doug's schedule cancer surgery. The crisp evening was lovely with light snow dusting the Whistler village. I pictured Brent and his fiancé Michele sharing vows as his brother Dean officiated in Winter 2017. Highlight • Brent Orrico was one of my husband’s best, closets buddies since childhood years growing up in the Clyde Hill neighborhood of Bellevue, Washington.

 

 

TASHKET, UZBEKISTAN • PRETTY PUBLIC PLACES

"THE OCTOBER REVOLUTION CELEBRATION PARADE" (TASHKENT, UZBEKISTAN, THE FORMER SOVIET UNION • PAINTED FEBRUARY 1988 • ACRYLIC ON CANVAS • 8X10-INCH)

During my two-week journey in October and November 1988 to three destinations in what had been the former Soveit Union, our group of diverse travelers was incredibly lucky that our trip coincided with the annual celebration of the 1917 October Revolution (the overthrow of the Tsarist royal form of government in Russia. This artwork pictured parade marchers, a handsome crimson float and some of us our group of visiting Americans. The color everywhere that day was red, the shade most associated with "power." This was certainly not an accident, although "Peristroika" and the open-minded notion of coming together was at its heighth as Gorbechov was the U.S.S.R.'s premier at this time. I'm pictured with our small group of onlookers in a red sweater with tour organizer Ron King wearing his signature sunglasses (he was never without them in any season! Highlight • With the help of Seattle's current Mayor Charles Royer's wife Svetlana at the time, my original art was added to the work hung in the National Gallery of Tashkent by invitation of the museum curator who befriended several of us during our visit there.

 

 

"THE CHILDREN OF TASHKENT" (TASHKENT, UZBEKISTAN, THE FORMER SOVIET UNION • PAINTED FEBRUARY 1988• ACRYLIC ON • 8X10-INCH)

1988, I journeyed to the former U.S.S.R. with a group of about 25 Americans from Seattle on a good will trip. Tashkent had been chosen as a Seattle "Sister City" a number of years before, and Mayor Charles Royer's wife had grown up in this part of the Soviet Union. This community was one of three destinations we visited, the others being Moscow and Leningrad (with that ciy's name recently changed back to St. Petersberg). In Tashkent, some of us in our group (including me) I made friends some of the local residents who welcomed us with open arms. We were lucky to spend an entire day at one of Tashkent’s grade schools where the young students entertained us with dancing, singing and poetry readings • communicating in surprisingly fluent English! This amazed us all as our visit had been a completely impromptu one, and their program for us was polished and seamless. I painted the Russian-style classroom where each of these prominently displayed a portrait of Lenin • reminding me of the United States in the 1950s when George Washington's portrait hung on classroom walls as well. Unique too was nap time during the middle of school days there. Taking a nap actually meant sleeping in a bed where pillows were decoratively shaped into pyramids. Highlight • My portrait of the school and its young students was also hung in the National Gallery of Tashkent, Uzbekistan. Visit my BIOGRAPHY page for more information on this fascinating trip to the former Soviet Union, a visit that would probably be impossible these days.

 

• The Entire Other Settings Collection pdf • Click on this pdf to see and learn about all 22 paintings in this collection.

 

 

 

 

 

PORTRAITS OF PETS WE LOVE • A FRIENDLY FOREST, RESCUE DOGS, CUDDLY KITTIES, AND MORE

 

"THE FRIENDLY FOREST" (IMAGINARY SETTING • FEBRUARY 2000 • ACRYLIC ON CANVAS • 8X10-INCH)

This was a portrait I created of several furry woodland creatures who would rarely be seen in the same setting together • especially in such a calm and peaceful atmosphere. And that’s the point!The critters in this friendly forest, including two bushy-tailed squirrels, a seagull, roly-poly brown beat, spotted giraffe, curious lion, baby fawn and a striped tiger • have all miraculously forged friendships with one-another and are happily gathered in this painting • thus its fitting title. Highlight • Inspired by an image I found in a Charles Wysocki coffee-tableq art book, I created my own take of this incongruous setting as first birthday gift for my Godson, Scot Simpson (now grown up and living in Bellingham). My creative sister-in-law Jan Simpson had decorated his bedroom with a jungle theme that carried him through his toddler years.

 

 

"KINDRED SPIRIT KITTIES" (CAT WHISKER LANE, KENMORE, WA • APRIL 2017 •ACRYLIC ON CANVAS • 8X10-INCH)

My sister Marilee has always been a dyed-in-the-wool kitty lover. For as long as I can remember, her home has always included a little furry feline or two.  As noted in the title of this painting, when I created this artwork, the street leading down the gentle slope to her cottage in Kenmore was named “Cat Whisker Lane” • perfectly correct for her two buddies Cookie (the black and white one cat) and Lady (the tabby) pictured here. Sadly, Marilee lost Cookie a few months before I finished this painting, which I planned to give her as a gift for her milestone 60th birthday in April 2017. All the tulips growing that Spring inspired the lush garden background in this portrait, fitting as my sister has always been blessed with a VERY green thumb! In December 2018, Lady quietly passed away as well during the Christmas holidays. Highlight • This painting became a memorial piece honoring these two sweet furry friends dearly missed from her household.

 

 

PORTRAITS OF PEOPLE WE LOVE • FRIENDS AND FAMILY ARTWORK

"THE WARD WEDDING PARTY" (ECHO FALLS COUNTRY CLUB, MONROE, WA • FEBRUARY 2004 • ACRYLIC ON CANVAS • 8X10-INCH)

To surprise and honor my husband Doug on our fourth wedding anniversary, I painted this art of our wedding party as a special gift. Our marriage happened on a sunny April day at beautiful Echo Falls. Officiated by "Course in Miracle" educator and pastor Robbie Fawnstock and with hours of fabulous jazz by saxaphone artist Darren Motamedy, our wedding was the happiest day of both of our lives. C.C.THE MEN IN OUR WEDDING PARTY (L to R) • Attendant Doug’s oldest son Matt, Doug's buddy and lifelong golf partner Attendant Ric Metzger (who blessedly recovered from his heart surgery in time to be part of Doug's wedding party), my handsome prince Doug, his older brother Best Man Tom and Attendant son Kevin. THE WOMEN IN MY WEDDING PARTY (L to R) • Bridesmaid youngest sister Peggy Barton in the emerald green blouse, Matron of Honor Robin Westbrook in the red one, Beautiful Bride me, Maid of Honor sister Marilee Simpson in the royal blue top, and my sister-in-law Jan Harkins Simpson in yellow. Highlight • I bordered this portrait with the same Spring blossoms in our bouquets.

 

"BACON, LETTUCE & TOMATO" (SEATTLE, WA • PAINTED FEBRUARY 1977 • ACRYLIC ON CANVAS • 8X10-INCH)

This very early artwork that also was part of my Bellevue Art Gallery collection, celebrated "Bacon, Lettuce and Tomato," a jazz trio that was made up of Paul West, Gail Clements and Rolf Johnson. The trio delighted dozens of music lovers during the mid-1970s through the end of the 1980s in venues all over Seattle and King County. Specializing in clever lyrics and harmonies similar to the then extremely popular Manhattan Transfer quartet, this popular group filled a special niche in the local music scene. When my sister and I discovered them, they were performing at the Terry Avenue Freight House in a refurbished vintage railroad car. Their stage was a platform at the south end of the bar. Every set of eyes in the packed place was glued to these three talented musicians • all of whom could carry a tune very nicely! Remarkable was their age span. Rolf was in his early twenties, Gail in her thirties and Paul, his mid-forties. Over these many years, we all became close friends, socializing together during the band's off hours. I dated Paul West for several years and Gail became a lifelong friend to my sister Marilee and me. Sadly, both Paul and Gail passed away in the early 2000s. Highlight • I created this fun portrait for Gail as a birthday gift when the trio was at the height of their popularity in 1977.

 

 

• The Entire Other Subjects Collection pdf • Click on the pdf to see and learn about all 20 paintings in this collection.

 

 

 

 

 

HAPPY HOLIDAY ART• MORE CHRISTMAS AND WINTER SCENES

"LET IT SNOW! LET IT SNOW!" (IMAGINARY HOLIDAY SETTING • PAINTED DECEMBER 2019 • ACRYLIC ON CANVAS • 5X7-INCH)

This snow setting was an imaginary one as our kids, Matt, Kevin and Leah were raised in King County, not known for its heavy snow like the one pictured in this portrait. Now completely grown up with kids of their own (left), when this was painted, Leah, Sean and their two boys had made their family home in Duvall, oldest son Matt, Heidi and daughter Addison in Bothell and middle son Kevin with Tarynand their three kiddos in Snohomish. I created two versions of this friendly little piece • one with just our five grandkiddo's and and another with Doug and me tucked into the scene. We gave our three framed prints to my step kids and used the one pictured here with us added as art for our 2019 Christmas cards. As I've done golf-themed Holiday art for our cards since 1997, this family scene was a unque departure, but Doug loved this art so much, we chose this using it. NOTE • Since I finished this art, a final little guy was added to Kevin and Taryn's family, Harrison (photo lower left). Highlight • Youngsters in the painting • The top pictured Leah's boys, Nathan and Connor Davies, and the bottoml showed Kevin's kids, Piper Elizabeth and Austin with Matt's teenage daughter Addison (far right).

 

 

"TURKEY WITH ALL THE TRIMMINGS" (IMAGINARY HOLIDAY SETTING • PAINTED DECEMBER 1977 • ACRYLIC ON CANVAS • 8X10-INCH)

I've painted dozens of Holiday works over the years as I just LOVE Christmastime. My husband Doug has always referred to me as the "Christmas Queen." For the past 30+ YEARS, I'veI created special paintings for my Holiday greeting cards, that is until I married Doug in 2000. From then on, these seasonal offerings became golf-themed snowmen and Santa images to honor his passion for the "The Greatest Game." This early 1977 painting pictured all six of us Simpson kids with Sally Mom cradling my youngest brother Bob on her lap. Most of us are lounging on the comfy window seat, waiting for our Dad Joe to unveil his masterpiece turkey, "Mr. Gobbler." Highlight • creative Sally Mom sewed each of us Simpson girls' two sets of corduroy jumpers which she paired with lace trim puffed sleeve rose print blouses (left). Red jumpers usually came out at Christmastime and powder blue ones for the Easter Holidays, but this photo show that tradition flipped. As we all grew older, she created matching red plaid taffeta Christmas dresses. These were immortalized for years in photos taken with Saint Nick at the Downtown Crescent Department Store • carefully saved in a special picture album that still sits on many family coffee tables through the Holiday Season.

 

 

• The Entire Other Happy Holiday Scenes pdf • Click on this pdf to see and learn about all 6 paintings in this collection. NOTE: These are in addition to the Golfing / Snowmen images above and other seasonal works on this site during the Holidays on the INLAND NW (SPOKANE) and PUGET SOUND pages.

 

 

 

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