A MEMORY-FILLED MILESTONE BIRTHDAY!!

CELEBRATING WITH BELOVED LIFELONG FRIENDS

GAL PALS ON THE DECK AT LOON • Pictured are Peggy Caprye and me at Jeannie Fruci's June 2025 milestone birthday party with Lucia Marie granddaugher in her arms (NEW portrait of Lucia below).

YEARS OF FRIENDSHIP • During my early Bon Marche career days, I lived in the Coach House Apartments near the University of Washington's Montlake Cut that connected Lake Union to Lake Washington.

COACH HOUSE CONNECTION • Peggy's husband Mike worked as the desk clerk for the Travel Lodge that owned our complex, generously sharing its pool with Coach House residents. Mike made sure his pals were at the top of the list if they wanted to live in an apartment there.

2 DAVES • When Donna Standaart and I came to Seattle, we took over an apartment shared by Dave Fruci and Dave Shelledy, both Gonzaga Prep / U of WA buddies. Fruci married Jeannie and in a few years, Shelledy's sis Patty moved to my unit when I went to Queen Anne Hill.

CELEBRATING TOGETHER • We "Coach Housers" (+ other long-term friends) gathered for Jeannie's party hosted at their lake cabin. Time melted away as we shared great company, great food, and great memories • still close friends through thick and thin all these wonderful years.

Highlight • When back into Spokane, Doug really clicked with Dave Fruci. Forging close friendships with his easy-going style, Doug fit in beautifully with our group. Dave was a huge support to Doug through his 6-year cancer fight, delivering a eulogy that gave Doug wings for his flight to heaven.

 

 

SIX SELECTED WORKS OF INLAND NW SETTINGS • THREE EACH FROM 2025 & 2024

 

NOTE • Find "ENTIRE COLLECTION" pdfs after each painting on this page. These pdfs are also included with every grouping on the PUGET SOUND, SPOKANE (INLAND NW), MORE PAINTINGS and COMMISSION pages of this website

 

 

NEW "MORNING AT THE FRIENDS OF MANITO PLANT SALE" • THE SOUTH HILL, SPOKANE, WA • PAINTED MARCH 2025 • ACRYLIC ON CANVAS • 8X10-INCH)

In 1904, 1903’s Montrose Park’s name was changed to Manito or “Spirit of Nature." (TheFriendsOfManito.org). Over the years, the park has worn many hats. In early days, it even included a zoo until a child's injury plus the Great Depression ended that chapter. Visitors can still find metal rings that tethered the zoo animals. Over time, Manito Park has become a local “jewel.” To financially support keeping the grounds and gardens in beautiful shape, in 1990, The Friends of Manito (TFM) was begun by a group of committed volunteers. Their Plant Sales (early June and late August) have raised record amounts. Highlight • My painting pictures board members / volunteers (left), shoppers (center), and three "leads" (right) who inspired this piece.

• The Inland NW Parks and Gardens Collection pdf • Click on this pdf to see and learn about all 31 paintings in this collection.

 

 

NEW "SPRING ARRIVES AT ACE" • THE LOWER SOUTH HILL, SPOKANE, WA • PAINTED FEBRUARY 2025 • ACRYLIC ON CANVAS •5X7-INCH)

This pictured the friendly ACE on 9th & Monroe Street where my largest group of “Americana” images (cards, magnets, calendars, puzzles) has been for over a decade. The structure's worn several hats like Jones Drugs in the 1970s where my sis Peggy ran Post Office during high school. When Doug and I returned to Spokane in 2011, our “fixer-upper” by Manito had us here a lot with renovations inside and out. At Christmas, I gave each manager one of my Inland NW Calendars. Delighted, they asked if I had cards to sell • and our collaboration began. Highlight • I'm grateful to the owners / team for this venue where I share new art. This Spring one is the third of four in the ACE Collection.

• The Entire Spokane South Hill Collection pdf • Click on this pdf to see and learn about all 96 paintings in this collection.

 

 

NEW "HAPPILY EVER AFTER WITH KRISTANA & LUCIA MARIE" • LOON LAKE, WASHINGTON • PAINTED JUNE 2025 • ACRYLIC ON CANVAS • 5X7-INCH)

I completed this joy-filled portrait to honor Jeannie Fruci’s milestone birthday in June 2025. This was one of two created for her birthday. This one pictured her oldest daughter Kristana lovingly holding her toddler on her lap. Recently chirstened, Lucia Marie who was named to honor Jeannie's older sister (and my dear friend) Marie who the family had lost just a few years before. Born on October 5, 2022 to Kristana and Zan Gilmartin, their little "princess" has been a magical addition to the entire Fruci clan. It's hard to resist her beautiful smile and engaging personality. I did my best to capture these qualities in this painting that has also had the Fruci's beloved Loon Lake in the background. When I got the idea to create portraits of each daughter and granddaughter, I reached out to Kristana and Jelsi with requests to share their most favorite "Mother / Daughter" photograph. When I finished the paintings, I was so pleased with the results that I had my printer create canvas reproductions for each of the girls. I framed and shared them with Kristana and Jelsi when I gave their parents the originasl at the Loon Lake birthday party. Highlight • It was so rewarding to know I'd had created something special for the new grandparents and their daughters that no one else could give them!

 

 

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

 

 

2024 IMAGES • These three NEW works feature a decade-old original structure greenhouse, my Simpson grandparent's ranch, and a portrait of the mansion known as "Mary's Place," sandwiched into the Providence Hospital property.

NEW "VISITING HAASE'S GREENHOUSE IN SPRING" • THE LOWER SOUTH HILL, SPOKANE, WA • PAINTED MAY 2024 • ACRYLIC ON CANVAS • 5X7-INCH)

I was introduced to this rustic greenhouse and nursery in 2023, three years after Doug and I moved from the Manito Park area south to Moran Prairie. My girlfriend Mary Anne Sleeth bought a hanging basket for us as a housewarming gift from Haase's which begam my visits there. I learned the business was started in 1951 by Edward Hasse and son Willard, and also that its signature stone sections • glimpses of which are in this artwork • dated back to the mid-1920s. In 2020, My genius gardner sis Marilee suggested wax begonias to border our cottage after we tore out the dead foliage. Highlight • With kind from Sean Haase, these have decorated our gardens going forward.

 

• The Entire Spokane South Hill Collection pdf • Click on this pdf to see and learn about all 96 paintings in this collection.

 

 

NEW "FULL CIRCLE SIMPSON RANCH (MORAN PRAIRIE)" • THE SOUTH HILL, SPOKANE, WA • PAINTED SEPTEMBER 2024 • ACRYLIC ON CANVAS • 8X10-INCH)

In 2020, Doug and I moved to a Moran Pairie cottage. Years of updates followed, even after I lost my Doug in 2023 to cancer. I finally rid the file cabinets of medical docs in 2024 so I could move my art studio upstairs from the lower level. Magically, I found an envelope of photos dated 1931-1945 by Grandma Jessie Simpson. I compared notes on the these to those in a diary she'd kept until her death in the 1950s. Amazingly, after having the address researched, I learned our cottage was exactly where their ranch had been (farm house, barn and fields). This was full circle for me as all the pieces fit! Highlight • (L-R) Grandpa Charlie, my dad Joe in his Navy uniform, dogs Smokey, Whiskers and King, Jessie with one of her legendary pies, cousin Jim at 13 months with his mom (dad's sis Wanda) and her husband Ed Flemister.

• The Entire Spokane South Hill Collection pdf • Click on this pdf to see and learn about all 96 paintings in this collection.

 

NEW "PEONIES AT MARY'S PLACE BY PROVIDENCE" • THE LOWER SOUTH HILL, SPOKANE, WA • PAINTED OCTOBER 2024 • ACRYLIC ON CANVAS • 8X10-INCH)

Mary’s Place (1906) at 108 West 8th was built for $18,000, surviving for decades between Sacred Heart structures. Remarrying to become Mary Gianetsas after the loss of her first husband to botulism, she and her two children moved from Central Washington to Spokane's South Hill in 1944. Son George Alex hated mowing the huge west lawn, so in 1947, Mary made it into a parking lot. In the 1960s, Sister Peter Claver offered Mary 200,000 for the property instead of the prevous agreed upon $215,000, so the sale fell through forever. When Mary died, she left it to her daughter Dorothy who passed in 2022. George got it then inherited it,offereing the commercial lot for $5.9 Million. Diamond Parking paid handsomely, and the mansion was demolished in 2024.

• The Entire Spokane South Hill Collection pdf • Click on this pdf to see and learn about all 96 paintings in this collection.

 

 

 

 

SMALL BUT STEADY TEPS FORWARD • One of the kindest results creating my happy little paintings has given me is the gradually growing balance after losing my sweetheart of 25 years. Painting has proven to be an integral part of healing. I'm so grateful for the happy feelings this has given me and others. Click on the 2025 / 2025 All NEW "Americana" Art Collection pdf to see all 13 works done these last two years • plus NEW projects in progress.

 

 

 

QUESTIONS ABOUT THE FINE ART OR CONTENT ON THIS PAGE?

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."