MORE PAINTINGS • 24 FALL INTO WINTER WORKS DIVIDED INTO 5 THEMES • FROM MY 86+ PIECE COLLECTION
AUTHOR ROSAMUNDE PILCHER • While I was recovering from the flu over a decade ago, a dear friend recommended novels by British author Rosamunde Pilcher. "You'll love her and feel like you're inside her stories. Her descriptions are so detailed and her characters feel familiar enough to be friends.
Although she passed away in April 2019 after a long successful career, readers still love novels like, "The Shell Seekers," "September," Coming Home" ~ plus a newly discovered book of short stories, "A Place Like Home."
When Doug and I were "snowbirds" driving from Spokane, WA to Mesa, AZ (a 2-day trip), her audio books really helped the hours pass.
In 2002, Doug and I went to the U.K. with his golf buddies. At Turnberry, Scotland, I left them for Cornwall where I visited Pilcher destinations described in her books. I visited art galleries in St. Ives (Porthkerris in her stories), hiked Land's End, visited a World War II museum, picnicked on the harbor wall ~ and drank a shandy at the Slilding Tackle. Highlight ~ In these last tough months, her books have been a comfort to me.
The MORE PAINTINGS page shares other settings and subjects from the Pacific NW (like the Everett, WA's Fire Department scenes and beloved golf settings) that are not featured on my PUGET SOUND and SPOKANE (INLAND NW) pages. On this page, you'll find Americana artwork images all over the United States, including Alaska and Hawaii plus the United Kingdom, the former Soviet Union, and more. Portraits of people, pets and more Holiday scens are further down on this page. The theme FALL INTO WINTER continues in this collection here.
FIVE THEMED GROUPS • AND MORE
As mentioned above, I've divided this FALL INTO WINTER collection into five groups, plus some sub-catgories. Typically, the first image is FALL-themed and the second, WINTER (+ HOLIDAY). The paintings shares familiar regions, communities, neighborhoods, and folks who love them ~ plus golf and fire department scenes. I've created 85+ paintings for the MORE PAINTINGS group. The art in my entire Americana Collection numbers 450+ pieces, enough to rotate my artwork through all seasons on this website. There's also a handful of the many sketches I've done on my COMMISSION page.
THESE GROUPS INCLUDE:
NEW FINE ART, MY CREATIVE PROCESS AND ENTIRE COLLECTION PDFS
NOTE: Find ENTIRE COLLECTION pdfs after each of the 5 groups on this page.
GOLF COURSES & CLUBHOUSES • PACIFIC NW & BEYOND
"PEBBLE BEACH GOLF RESORT" (MONTEREY, CA • PAINTED DECEMBER 2022 • ACRYLIC ON CANVAS • 5X70-INCH)
Finishing 18 holes at Pebble Beach (PebbleBeach.com) was on Doug’s “bucket list” for over a decade when our pals Mo McFadden and Darrell Hunt suggested an early Autumn excursion to the resort to celebrate both of our milestone anniversaries put on hold due to COVID. Darrell mapped a stay at the luxurious beach view Inn at Spanish Bay with rounds of golf at The Links there, at Spyglass, and at Pebble Beach. It was truly the trip of a lifetime. When I puzzled over what to paint for our 2022 Christmas card, a friend suggested a Pebble Beach scene. I pictured the entrance to the resort with its gorgeous wrought-iron gate, a signature green shuttle busses, and Saint Nick, Doug and me ready to compete in a Wintery putting contest (poetic license here. Darrell made all the arrangements ~ including ordering a celebratory bottle of champagne waiting for us in our suite. Highlight ~ Golf was Dougie’s passion all his life and he was really good at it up to the final year of his cancer battle. His last three rounds at Pebble Beach in September 2022 were all in the the low 70s ~ and he enjoyed every second. This year's Holiday Golf card will be the last one in the series.
"THE OLD COURSE AT SAINT ANDREWS" (SCOTLAND, U.K. • PAINTED NOVEMBER 2002 • ACRYLIC ON CANVAS • 8X10-INCH)
I painted this festive golf-themed artwork to honor the Old Course at Saint Andrews (StAndrewsTravel.com), Scotland, the reputed birthplace of golf. There are actually two courses there, a new one and this much revered old one. This fun Holiday painting featured Mr. and Mrs. Santa Claus decorating a tall evergreen perched on the stone bridge that connected both sides of the #18 fairway there ~ one of the more picturesque spots on the course. In the background of this piece, I included the venerable old clubhouse and Russack's famous golf hotel. Highlight ~ To celebrate my husband Doug’s 50th birthday in 2002 (he’s a remarkable good golfer with a lifelong passion for the game), we traveled to the United Kingdom with two of his closest friends to play several of the courses that have hosted the renowned British Open ~ including this course.
HOLIDAY GOLF SCENES • SOME REAL, MOST IMAGINARY
NEW! "HEAVENLY HAPPY GOLFERS" (HEAVENLY IMAGINARY SETTINGS • PAINTED JANUARY 2024• ACRYLIC ON CANVAS • 5X7-INCH)
These three golfers, each fitted with much-earned angel wings, left us all too soon. Russ Ward (left angel) passed away on Christmas Eve, a year and a half before son Doug (middle angel) and I wed 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 left us in September 2023 after fighting like hell for six-plus years to win his battle with Sarcoma Cancer. Those of us still here are certain that these three have reconnected to celebrate “The Greatest Game” in heaven. Many of us also believe that Ric finally got his hole-in-one, a feat that eluded him during his time on earth. Highlight ~ Doug and Russ are wearing their signature Ward Irish Tartan plaid in this art. I created this last image in the 25-piece Holiday Golf Collection to honor 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 " (SCOTLAND, U.K. • PAINTED NOVEMBER 2021 • ACRYLIC ON CANVAS • 8X10-INCH)
Tapped to join the Holiday decorating crew tasked with dressing up the 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 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 1998 to honor my husband’s passion for ‘the Greatest Game.” He was a talented player since childhood Junior Golf years, so when I realized quite early in our relationship that he was blessed with such a gift when it came to this game, I was inspired to create a different golf image for our Holiday cards every year. He loved and looked forward to this tradition.
• 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 BEYOND (LIKE THE RESCUE SCENE ON EVERETT'S WATERFRONT)
"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. Jack's son and his pal shared the seats with Jack’s wife at the time, Bonnie Richter and me. Another firefighter’s two youngsters were outfitted “for action,” dressed head-to-toe in 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 display at the E.F.D. vintage Headquarters building.
"HOSE #2 AT CRISTMASTIME" (IMAGINARY HOLIDAY SETTING • PAINTED DECEMBER 1992 • 8X10-INCH)
Hose #2 at Christmastime (Detail)
DECEMBER 1993 ~ IMAGINARY HOLIDAY SETTING
I painted this fictional turn-of-the-century Victorian-style fire station decorated for the Holidays with two holly-filled Holiday wreaths hung on each side of the building and a large fir tree perched on the top (not shown in this detail of the art). Inspired by famed Americana artist Charles Wysocki, I created this piece for the Everett, WA Fire Department EMS Fire Chief Mike Lambert as Christmas card art in 1993. He liked the Holiday painting so much that he gave framed prints to his friends, family and fellow firefighters that year. When he was with the force, Mike owned several portraits of fire stations throughout Everett and this piece made a nice addition to his collection. Highlight ~ This piece celebrated the comraderie the firefighters shared at Christmastime and also featured two friendly Dalmation puppies.
• 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
NEW! "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. Highlight ~ I gave this special wedding gift art 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 gang in early Hayden Lake days. Note all the dogs’ initials in the balloons 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) which was I am told was a very common practice in those days. Her dad was the little guy 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 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, the Parry Lodge (ParryLodge.com) in Kanab, Utah near Arizona was known as Little Hollywood. The Parry brothers (Chauncey, Gronway and Whit) photographed Utah’s countryside and then went to California to entice the studios into making Westerns and more on-location. For decades, stars like Tom Mix, John Wayne, Clark Gable, Henry Fonda, Joel McCrea, Frank Sinatra, Robert Redford and leading ladies like Dolores del Rio, Veronica Lake, Ava Gardner, Anne Bancroft, Maureen O’Hara and others were guests involved with projects. In 1928, the brothers purchased a New England-style farmhouse and converted it into a hotel with cottages to house the folks that came from California. The entire town got into the act as extras, wranglers and stand-ins to help projects run smoothly for their important guests. Westerns were Kanab's “bread and butter” ~ both movies and TV series. When these gradually waned, Parry Lodge went on to serve the public as a nostalgic reminder of its movie days ~ cottages named for stars and the dining room lined with signed photos of actors who'd stayed there. When I painted this, it was open in Summer with free nightly movies in its theater. Highlight ~ John Wayne installed a swimming pool just because he thought the lodge needed one!
"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 her 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 encouraging and caring for me in the kindest way. Within a few weeks, I was back to my best self, thanks to Kathy, her husband and Dougie. These fellow “Snowbirds” who lived on a lake in South Dakota in Summer, had an energetic little black terrier-mix dog. Beloved “Buddy” has always been a constant companion and the recipient of much shameless spoiling. Highlight ~ I completed this as a special thank-you gift for the couple ~ pictured Buddy among plants, flowers, and yard art in Kathy's courtyard gardens.
OREGON • TWO HOME SWEET HOMES
"DOUG'S DREAM HOUSE (THE NEEDLES)" • (CANNON BEACH, OR • PAINTED MARCH 1998 • ACRYLIC ON CANVAS • 8X10-INCH)
I completed this portrait of Cannon Beach's historic “The Needles” log cabin lodge for my husband Doug a couple of years before we were married. The painting commemorated a wonderful Valentine’s Day weekend getaway spent at this beloved seaside community on the Oregon Coast. It was the first vacation Doug and I took together. On a morning beach walk that Sunday, he shared with me that this unique rustic log beauty was his “dream house,” his favorite place in Cannon Beach. He even scrambled up the steep bank between the beach and the house to snap some photographs for me which resulted in this surprise birthday artwork gift for his birthday on March 28th. Highlight ~ We spent several Thanksgivings at this seaside destination after we were married, one with his parents while they were alive and two more with my mother Sally. Truly magical memories!
"CHRISTMAS AQUILA VISTA" (ASHLAND, OR • PAINTED JULY 2016 • ACRYLIC ON CANVAS • 8X10-INCH)
Italian for “Eagle View,” Aquila Vista has always enjoyed the sweeping view of Rogue Valley and Ashland, Oregon ~ sometimes from above the clouds. This scene was created from a reproduction with new painted details added to give the earlier completed artwork a Holiday theme. The beautiful home was built to take advantage of the view in a grove of Madrones, pine trees and shrubbery. Note the tree house tucked into the forest above the home. The couple living there when this portrait was completed, shared, “It’s been a wonderfully restful place to enjoy a glass of local wine and local wildlife (deer, elk, bears, eagles and more).” Vista Aquila was the perfect gift from Mike to Karen Hiller, and they both loved it! For decades, Ashland has hosted its renowned Oregon Shakespeare Festival and the Ashland Independent Film Festival (A.I.F.F.). Highlight ~ After finishing Karen's original artwork done with a Summer theme, she had me rework the piece for Holiday decorating with a dusting of snow and a decorated Christmas Tree perched on the couple’s deck.
OFF THE MAINLAND (ALASKA AND HAWAII) • PRETTY PUBLIC PLACE AND HOME SWEET HOME
"PORT-A-PORT ALASKA" (IMAGINARY ALAKSA • PAINTED DECEMBER 1982 • ACRYLIC ON CANVAS • 8X10-INCH)
This trading-post-themed painting was completed as a Christmas gift for my dear friend Jack Marshall, who was pictured on the front porch of this rustic setting with his business partner at the time , Bob McClure. Inspired by fine artwork created the by the late iconic Americana fine artist Charles Wysocki, this piece was a montage of all of the important people, places and issues facing Jack at that point in his life. Most important were his three great kids Robbie, David and Kelly and his business associate with long-time close friend, Barbara Loomis. I’m pictured in the red woolen dress on the porch with a painting I also completed for his daughter Kelly as a Christmas gift that year. Highlight ~ I finished this fun piece after journeying to Anchorage, Alaska that included a meal shared at “Chilcote Charlies” at the foot of the rugged Alyeska Mountains.
NEW! "PICNICKING AT THE KIHEI COTTAGE" (KIHEI, MAUI, HAWAII • PAINTED MARCH 2023 • ACRYLIC ON CANVAS • 5X7-INCH)
This darling saltbox-style cottage near Wailea in Kihei on the sunlit paradise of Maui, HI, 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 Maui as the perfect place to spend their retirement years. They created 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 cottage. When visiting Maui, it was always a treat for Doug and me to see these two as they've treated us to several "field trips" to magical destinations we never would have discovered without them ~ such great memories for us to cherish. Highlight ~ On our last trip there when I gave the couple this portrait of their cottage in March 2023, we spent a day in Lahaina and treated Debi and Jim to lunch at Mick Fleetwoods. Who knew that Doug would be gone so soon and that Fleetwoods would be reduced to ash in a few months.
THE UNITED KINGDOM (ENGLAND, CANADA, AND BEYOND) • HOME SWEET HOME AND A BELOVED PUBLIC PLACE
"WELCOME, WHISTLER WONDERLAND" (WHISTLER B.C., THE UNITED KINGDOM • PAINTED DECEMBER 2009 • ACRYLIC ON CANVAS • 8X10-INCH)
When I journeyed to England in 2002 with Doug and two of his buddies Brent Orrico and Ric Metzger, we were there to celebrate my husband’s 50th birthday and passion for golf by playing many of the British Open courses. When the boys headed to the west side of Scotland, which included Turnberry and other courses, I boarded a train south for the Coast of Cornwall known as the “Cornish Riviera.” My destination was St. Ives, an artists’ colony (see the opening photo above) where during my three-day visit, I stayed at the beautiful inn pictured here. The friendly innkeepers shared that it was a short walk to the center of St. Ives and boasted a magnificent ocean view from nearly every room. The stucco-and-stone three-story was surrounded by lush, colorful gardens lovingly tended by the charming husband and wife proprietors who did a fine job of making all their guests feel like ”family.” Highlight ~ This trip was more than a special birthday gift to my sweet husband Doug. it was the last time he was able to spend quality golf time with his close friend Ric Metzger who passed away shortly after we returned home. They are finally togther again in heaven!
"WINTER WEDDING AT WHISTLER" (WHISTLER, BRITISH COLUMBIA, CANADA, U.K. • PAINTED SEPTEMBER MARCH 2017 • ACRYLIC •5X7-INCH)
This portrait of beautiful Whistler Village in British Columbia was completed to honor the marriage of some very dear friends of ours, 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 small winter wedding ceremony. As pictured here 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. The crisp evening was lovely with light snow dusting Whistler Village. I pictured Brent and his fiancé Michele sharing their vows as his brother Dean officiated in Winter 2017. Highlight ~ Brent Orrico has been one of my husband’s best and closest buddies since childhood years growing up in the Clyde Hill neighborhood of Bellevue, Washington.
TASHKET, UZBEKISTAN • PRETTY PUBLIC PLACES
"THE OCTOBER REVOLUTION CELEBRATION PARADE" (UZBEKISTAN, 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 in October and November of 1988, 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. The 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 hue 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 Borbechov was in office 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. Highlight ~ With the help of Seattle Mayor Charles Royer's wife Svetlana, my original art was added to the work hung in the National Gallery of Tashkent by invitation of the museum curator who befriended us during our visit.
"THE CHILDREN OF TASHKENT" (UZBEKISTAN, 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 (now St. Petersberg). In Tashkent, my friends and I made friends with a group of local folks who welcomed us with open arms. We were lucky enough to spend an entire day at one of Tashkent’s day schools for children where we were entertained with dancing, singing and poetry readings in surprisingly fluent English by the youngsters. This amazed us all as our visit had been completely impromptu. I painted the Russian-style classroom where each prominently displayed a portrait of Lenin ~ reminding me of the United States in the 1950s with George Washington's portrait on the wall as well. Unique too was nap time during the school day there. Taking a nap actually meant sleeping in a bed where pillows were decoratively shaped into pyramids. Highlight ~ This painting of the school children was also hung in a gallery in Tashkent, Uzbekistan. Visit my BIOGRAPHY page for more information on this fascinating unique trip.
• 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 • RESCUE DOGS, CUDDLY KITTIES, AND MORE
"AUTUMN OUTING ~ BRYCE, SPIKE AND PUMPKIN" (HIGH DRIVE NEIGHBORHOOD, SPOKANE, WA • DECE,BER 2020• ACRYLIC ON CANVAS • 5X7-INCH)
When my youngest brother met his bride-to-be, she had a sweet black dog named Spike who became a member of their household as a young married couple. When her furry little buddy passed away, once their two kiddos Scot and Izzie were old enough to appreciate pets, Jan and Bob enlarged their family with two rambunctious rescue dogs ~ a sleek caramel-colored male named Bryce and a huskier female they called Pumpkin because of the shades of her unusually gorgeous coat. The two latter dogs, often unpredictable and inquisitive, both experienced a number of unique adventures ~ like the discovery of a case of beer and a supply of motor oil in the garage ~ both with their names on them. Bryce also had a run-in with an angry porcupine ~ and I’m sure my brother and his wife have other stories to share. Nevertheless, all the doggies have been the objects of much affection over the years. Highlight ~ This fine art portrait ~ a Holiday gift for the family ~ lovingly honored all three of them ~ two of which (Spike and Bryce) have sadly passed away.
"Peggy & Jeff's Pretty Pooches" (LEE'S POINT, HAYDEN LAKE, ID • DECEMBR 2017• ACRYLIC ON CANVAS • 8X10-INCH)
Although a steady stream of pets of all types have “ruled the roost” at sis Peggy and her husband Jeff’s various homes over the years, when I decided to paint portraits of my sibling's family pets as Christmas gifts in 2017, those on hand in this family were a little fluffy friendly Shih Tzu named Tabasco (who had survived so long that he had completely lost his sight in both his eyes) ~ and a very large German shepherd named Jada with who most of the time exhibited boundless energy. These two were the exact opposite, but spent several years as roommates nonetheless, looking after each other in their own way. The two provided the Barton family with companionship and love as well as both comical and serious moments. Highlight ~ One Summer, when blind little Tabasco fell off the high bank into the lake, a huge drop down a steep clay cliff into the water ~ Jada barked her Germain Shepherd head off until she got my sister’s attention that the poor little Shih Tzu was in serious need of rescuing. Both of these beloved pets have passed, no doubt loving their owners from a place in Heaven.
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 to honor my husband Doug four years into our marriage on our anniversary, I painted this portrait of our wedding party as a special gift. Here are the folks in the painting: MEN ~ Groomsmen Doug’s oldest son Matt, Doug's closes best buddy and lifelong golf partner Attendant Ric Metzger (who blessedly recovered from heart surgery in time to be in our wedding party), my sweetheart Doug, his older brother Best Man Tom and Groomsman son Kevin. WOMEN included Bridesmaid youngest sister Peggy Barton in the green blouse, Matron of Honor Robin Westbrook in the red blouse, Mother of the Bride Sally Mom, Beautiful Bride me, Maid of Honor sister Marilee Simpson in the blue blouse, and sister-in-law Jan Simpson. Highlighç ~ I bordered this portrait with the Spring blossoms that filled our bouquets and were used to decorate the setting at Echo Falls Country Club in Monroe, WA on our special day, April 15, 2000.
"BACON, LETTUCE & TOMATO" (SEATTLE, WA • PAINTED FEBRUARY 1977 • ACRYLIC ON CANVAS • 8X10-INCH)
This early artwork celebrated "Bacon, Lettuce and Tomato," a jazz trio made up of Paul West, Gail Clements and Rolf Johnson. The trio delighted dozens of music lovers during the 1970s and 1980s in venues all over King County. Specializing in clever lyrics and harmony similar to the then extremely popular Manhattan Transfer, 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 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 the years, we all became close ~ socializing together during their 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 art for Gail as a special 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 the art. Now completely grown up with kids of their own (left), when this was painted they had made their homes in Duvall, Bothell and Snohomish. I created two versions of this friendly little piece ~ one with our five grandkids and and another with Doug and me added. We gave our three framed prints of the kiddos-only version and used the one pictured here with us added as artwork 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 we couldn't resist! 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: TOP pictured Leah's boys, Nathan and Connor Davies. BOTTOMl showed Kevin's kids, Piper Elizabeth and Austin with Matt's teenage daughter Addison (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 created special paintings for my Holiday greeting cards, that is until I married Doug in 2000. From then on, these seasons offerings became golf-theme snowmen and Santa images to honor his passion for the 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 my dad Joe to unveil his "masterpiece.," Mr. Gobbler. Highlight ~ creative Sally Mom sewed each of us Simpson girls two set of corduroy jumpers which she paired with lace trim puffed sleeve blouses (left). Red jumpers usually came out at Christmas time and powder blue ones for the Easter Holidays. As we all grew older, she created matching red plaid taffeta Christmas dresses. These were immortalized for years in photos taken with Saint Nicholas at the Downtown Crescent Department Store.
• 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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