A MEMORY-FILLED FAMILY CELEBRATION • Although my sweet Doug truly gave it his all to stay on the planet, his last six months were a tough battle he was gradually losing.
My sister's fiance Ron asked Doug to be his best man a decade before, and he realized last Summer, that time was not on Doug's side. So the couple put their heads together to create a small heartfelt wedding in Spokane.
ALL OF US • Marilee chose Sally Mom as Matron of Honor. At 96, travel to Seattle was impossible, so Spokane it was. Brother John walked Marilee down the "aisle," brother Bob and wife Jan were attendants, Doug stood up for Ron, and sis Peggy officiated. After vows and kisses, Doug and I hosted a family reception dinner.
IT WAS A MAGICAL!• The weather was perfect and the smoke-filled sky cleared. Blessedly, Doug felt great throughout the day. Readings were poignant and filled with love, and the wedding dinner fabulous. Highlight ~ A short time later, this union was blessed by the couple's beloved Father Tim at Seattle's Our Lady of the Lake. PERFECT.The photo (left) shares this memory. It was the last time that we were all together before we lost my sweet Doug. That's what these two seasons are made of ~ memories with those we love on a happy day in a beautiful setting!
My SPRING INTO SUMMER collection features four NEW works. Each theme opens with art of a beloved setting from my home town Spokane and the Inland NW. Where possible, I've included websites in bold red tyype.
OVERVIEW OF RECENT WORKS ~ Below this collection, I've included a pdf sharing all my NEW artwork completed in 2023 and 2024. in the "Overview of More seasonal paintings are also featured on the PUGET SOUND, INLAND NW (SPOKANE), MORE PAINTINGS and COMMISSION pages of this website.
NOTE: Find "ENTIRE COLLECTION" pdfs after EACH PAINTING shared below on this page.
NEW! "GATHERING AT THE FOX PARK GAZEBO" (MORAN PRAIRIE, SPOKANE, WA • PAINTED MARCH 2024 • ACRYLIC ON CANVAS • 8X10-INCH)
When Doug and I moved further south from our 1937 vintage brick Craftsman on Spokane’s South Hill near Manito Park in 2020, one of the sweetest extras that came with our new community on Moran Prairie was a gazebo roomy enough for hosting picnics and other fun gatherings. This sheltering structure sat in the clearing of tiny Fox Park, thus the title of this piece. When I finished painting it, COVID was still a bit of a problem in Spokane, so Doug, I, and others who lived here hadn’t used the gazebo for a gathering like the one pictured here for quite a long while. But regardless of that, we all knew a fun, sunny day like this would come, which of course inspired this artwork. Highlight ~ I showed a glimpse of a 1937 vintage Buick in the lower right with proud owner Jim (in his Buick T-shirt) and Barb Barry by their polished pride and joy vintage automobile.
• The Entire Spokane South Hill Collection pdf ~ Click on this pdf to see and learn about all 92 paintings in this collection.
AWARD WINNING! "MEETING AT THE MARKET" (THE EASTSIDE, REDMOND, WA • PAINTED AUGUST 2009 • ACRYLIC ON CANVAS • 8X10-INCH)
This piece won First Place and the honor of being the artwork used to promote the 2010 Redmond Saturday Market's (RedmondSaturdayMarket.org) 35th season, which ran annually from May through October. Posters with my fine art portrait of the market were posted throughout all the Eastside communities in Western Washington. Redmond's venue was the oldest and largest market on the Eastside, so this award was quite a prestigious honor for me. With the historic Justice White house in the background, I gave this artwork an all-American theme. It paid homage to the fine tradition of selling and shopping for goods produced by local farmers, craftspeople and creative artisans. I intertwined a patriotic red, white and blue streamer with fruit, vegetables and market signs bordering the scene of colorful booths, shoppers and their pets. Highlight ~ For several years I had a weekly space at this fun Summertime venue, making dozens of friends along the way.
• The Entire Eastside Collection pdf ~ Click on this pdf to see and learn about all 13 paintings this collection.
"MORNING WALK AT ROCHE" (ROCHE HARBOR, SAN JUAN ISLAND, • PAINTED FEBRUAR Y 2010 • ACRYLIC-ON-CANVAS • 8X10-INCH)
Summer mornings at Roche Harbor (RocheHarbor.com) have always been perfect time for a peaceful walk on the docks, board-walk, brick pathways ~ and especially through the gardens that flourished throughout this destination. I painted the retired John McMillin kiln factory building and filled it with waving flags from the U.S.A. and Canada as the harbor was very near the Canadian border and a port of entry. When the Neil Tarte family purchased the property from John McMilliin’s son Paul after his entrepreneurial father, they began developing it into a destination resort and marina, keeping the turn-of-the-century feel. They converted the residences, worker cabins, lime kiln factory building and other outbuildings into restaurants, shops and lodging ~ keeping the little church for weddings. Decades after the Tarte’s original development, it was purchased by investors who added other retail buildings and cottages that blended with his original theme. When I painted the Lime Kiln Building, it had a green grocer on the east side of the first floor and a breakfast café on the west. The second floor was filled with boutiques to entice vacationers looking for mementos. Highlight ~ My nephew Michael Barton married his sweetheart Mikaila Gawryn in this garden in August 2013.
• The Entire Islands Collection pdf ~ Click on this pdf to see and learn about all 17 paintings in this collection.
"STARS & STRIPES IN SNOHOMISH" (SNOHOMISH, WA • PAINTED OCTOBER 2010 • ACRYLIC-ON-CANVA • 8X10 INCHES)
In 2007, when stepson Matt and his young family moved to a cottage in the community of Snohomish north of Seattle, I decided to expand my collection of art of Victorian residences there and create a calendar highlighting its dozens of beautiful vintage homes. I spent several weekends walking the historic district, snapping photos of every setting that spoke to me. This green and white two-story clapboard home at 314 Union Street with its crisp white picket fence caught my eye. Even though it was October, the house was decorated with dozens of little waving American flags as the homeowner shared that her family had several sons serving in the armed services at that time. She commissioned this artwork. Flags and bunting inspired this painting, which carried through the theme of celebrating Independence Day with a Summer picnic. Highlight ~ I pictured me with my sweetheart Doug in the lower right corner bringing a traditional cherry pie for dessert.
• The Entire Snohomish Collection pdf ~ Click on this pdf to see and learn about all 27 paintings in this collection.
NEW! "PICNIC BY THE PAVILION • A HOMAGE TO THE 50TH ANNIVERSARY OF EXPO '74"(THE DOWNTOWN DISTRICT, RIVERFRONT PARK, SPOKANE, WA • MARCH 2024 • ACRYLIC ON CANVAS • 8X10-INCH)
This fine art portrayed three generations of Ward merrymakers (grandparents, parents, and youngsters) at the kids’ section of Riverfront Park near the US Pavilion in Springtime. Everyone in this happy piece was enjoying the setting ~ climbing, jumping, sliding, picnicking of course ~ and just plain relaxing on a beautiful sunny day. In the background, I pictured the historic Pavilion constructed for Expo ‘74’s World’s Fair. It has worn several “hats” over the years.
When I painted this, it was adorned with dazzling eye-catching lights that decorated the sky above Downtown Spokane ~ quite a sight from not only Riverfront Park, but also from the South Hill’s cliff and the North Side’s hillside when lit up in the evening. Highlight ~ Decades ago, before the park’s Ice Ribbon became a local attraction, the space beneath the then canvas-covered Pavilion was a huge Ice skating rink, attracting many as it offered skate rentals in Winter for those who loved gliding over the ice ~ including lots of my family and friends.
• The Entire Inland Northwest Parks & Gardens Collection pdf ~ Click on this pdf to see and learn about all 32 paintings in this collection.
"PICNICKING AT THE PARK BENCH CAFE" (MANITO PARK, THE SOUTH HILL, SPOKANE, WA, • MARCH 2020 • ACRYLIC ON CANVAS • 8X10-INCH)
Visitors to Manito Park (TheFriendsOfManito.org) have flocked to the Park Bench Café to place their orders for meals, snacks and beverages, and ice cream since this favorite destination opened in the early 1920s. In the park's early days, it included a zoo from 1905 to 1932 with polar and grizzly bears, elk, buffalo and more. At that time, south of Mirror Lake (also known as the Duck Pond) and north Joel E. Ferris Perennial Garden, there was a small pond with a hut in the center of it that housed water fowl. In 1923, a decision was made to fill this in and tear down the hut to make space for the new shingle and basaltic rock Park Bench Café. In addition to serving food, Manito Park rented out bicycles here as well for a number of years, but the practice was stopped decades ago. Highlight ~ Music has always been an important part of the park from its creation. When I painted this portrait of the café, concerts were still offered at no charge to the picnicking public on Friday evenings during warm weather months.
• The Entire Inland Northwest Parks & Gardens Collection pdf ~ Click on this pdf to see and learn about all 32 paintings in this collection.
AWARD WINNING! "THE BILL BROWN BUILDING" (REDMOND, WA • PAINTED NOVEMBER 2003 • ACRYLIC-ON-CANVAS • 8X10-INCH)
This handsome two-story building, located in the heart of Redmond, Washington on Leary Way, was built by Redmond’s most famous mayor, William “Bill” Brown. Bill served his beloved community from 1919 to 1948, and this was his second business building on this site. It originally housed a saloon, drug store, soda fountain, barber shop, dance hall and mortuary. Rumor had it that the building also was home to the town’s “ladies of the evening” ~ and it even had an entrance to a secret bootlegger’s tunnel from the days of Prohibition. When I painted this portrait of it, the structure hadn’t changed much since the early 1900s, its owners being careful to maintain its original beauty with the exposed brick and original slab floors throughout most of the interior. I gave this artwork an “All-American Celebration” theme with red, white and blue flags, balloons and bunting ~ filling it with fun-loving family and friends ~ and pets gathering to join the Independence Day Holiday. Highlight ~ My portrait of this structure won Second Place in a City-wide fine art competition for a landmark setting capturing the community’s remarkable personality.
• The Entire Eastside Collection pdf ~ Click on this pdf to see and learn about all 13 paintings this collection.
"THE HISTORIC STEAM PLANT" (THE DOWNTOWN DISTRICT, SPOKANE, WA, WA • PAINTED OCTOBER 2016 • ACRYLIC-ON-CANVAS • 8X10-INCH)
Spokane’s historic steam plant was designed and built by the renowned architectural firm of Cutter & Malmgren in 1916. Their handiwork and that of later visionaries inspired this art celebrating the setting’s 100th birthday. The plant supplied steam heat to much of Spokane’s Downtown District for nearly 70 years. When providing this service ultimately became too expensive, Washington Water Power closed the plan, shutting off the last boiler in 1986. After 10 years of vacancy and an uncertain future, WWP formed Steam Plant Square, LLC. Working with an enlightened team of historic-minded businesses including Wells & Co., life was breathed back into the structure along with two others that were folded into the project. Special care was taken to maintain the Steam Plant’s unique original personality, infrastructure and equipment during the process of creating office, retail and dining space. The iconic stacks on the city skyline were saved for future generations. The Steam Plant was the first Spokane building to receive the National Preservation Honor Award in 2001, and went on to be listed on the National, Sate and Spokane Registers of Historic Places. Highlight ~ This iconic setting was recently purchased by civic-minded Spokane developer, Jerry Dicker.
• The Downtown District Collection pdf ~ Click on this pdf to see all and learn about all 12 paintings in this collection.
NEW! "VISITING HAASE'S GREENHOUSE IN SPRING" (MORAN PRAIRIE, THE SOUTH HILL • PAINTED MAY 2024 • ACRYLIC-ON-CANVAS • 5X7-INCH)
Before planting our gardens, there are trips to local nurseries, this one located on 34th Avenue on Spokane’s Moran Prairie north of Ferris High School. I was introduced to this charming plant-filled rustic greenhouse in 2023, three years after Doug and I moved to our cottage on Moran Prairie. My sweet girlfriend Mary Anne purchased a brilliant deep pink hanging basket as a gift for us which precipitated my first visit there. I learned that this greenhouse was started in 1951 by Edward Hasse and his son Willard. I also learned that its signature stones ~ glimpses of which I pictured on the front of the structure here ~ dated back to the 1920s. My gardener extraordinaire sis Marilee suggested wax begonias to border our home, as the plants flourished in both shade and sun. With help from Sean Hasse, I chose these in red and white from their enormous collection ~ as well as other plants that did a stunning job of decorating our yard. As Doug was spending a lot of time on our deck overlooking the gardens during his very tough health challenges, I’d like to think these gorgeous colorful blossoms helped lift his spirits during those last months. I was so grateful to Hasse’s Greenhouse (HaasesGreenhouse.com) for all their help and inspiration.
• The Entire Spokane South Hill Collection pdf ~ Click on this pdf to see and learn about all 92 paintings in this collection.
"DAVENPORT FOUNTAIN AT DUNCAN GARDEN" (MANITO PARK, THE SOUTH HILL, SPOKANE, WA • PAINTED JULY 15 • ACRYLIC-ON-CANVAS • 8X10-INCH)
In 2015, I updated this painting originally created 1997 to reflect some of the beautiful features in Duncan Garden at Manito Park (TheFriendsOfManito.org). The fountain was donated in 1956 by the Davenport family in the memory of Louis M. Davenport ~ longtime owner of the downtown Spokane landmark hotel by the same name. This water feature has long been the focal point of the formal European Renaissance-style “Sunken Garden,”renamed John W. Duncan Garden to honor the Manito Park superintendent who achieved so much in his mission to expand and make the park the stunning setting all still enjoy today. Every Summer since its creation, the large garden has been planted with annuals, creating brilliant color ~ making it perfect for weddings, photography for senior pictures, and more. Over the years, “wishing” locals and visitors have tossed coins into the Davenport Fountain. Highlight ~ First Park Superintendent E. Charles Balzer discovered the rich soil when the property was forested and he found his son playing there with some friends. To raise funds for Manito Park, he began selling the loamy soil to other parks in the area, ultimately creating the “sunken” effect.
• The Entire Inland Northwest Parks & Gardens Collection pdf ~ Click on this pdf to see and learn about all 30 paintings in this collection.
"MARILEE'S HAPPY HIDEAWAY ON CAT WHISKER LANE" (KENWOOD, WA • PAINTED JUNE 2022 • ACRYLIC ON CANVAS • 8X10-INCH)
I created this very special home portrait to honor my sister Marilee’s milestone birthday in 2022. It pictured her beautiful back yard in Spring at the cozy Kenmore home she and her sweetheart Ron had shared for six years when I finished this artwork. For the past many decades, gardening has been Marilee’s gift and most passionate pursuit ~ as evidenced by all the creativity captured here in this artwork. Dozens of blossoms and blooms in pots and flower beds frame their friendly back deck, which had just received a fresh coat of robin’s-egg blue paint. I also included Marilee's sweet tulip-shuttered garden shed in the background of this scene. I featured the couple about to welcome friends and family for a fun outdoor gathering. Ron was carrying a load of firewood and Marilee’s arms were filled with flowers for decorating her table. Highlight ~ Fittingly, I included all three of their beloved pets here, their two little pooches, Mikko and Birdie, and skitty kitty Peek-a-Boo.
• The Entire North Puget Sound Collection pdf ~ Click on the pdf to see and learn about 13 paintings in this collection.
"MANRESA CASTLE IN MAY" (PORT TOWNESND,, WA • PAINTED MARCH 2010• ACRYLIC-ON-CANVAS • 8X10-INCH)
Originally known as the Eisenbeis Castle, the elegant imposing structure was named for Charles Eisenbeis, Port Townsend’s first mayor and a leading local businessman. The regal four-story castle was built in 1892 on Seventh Avenue and Sheridan Street, and was inspired by castles on the Rhine River where Eisenbeis had lived before immigrating to the United States. The castle originally had 30 rooms that enjoyed spectacular views of stunning Puget Sound. Beautifully enhanced by gorgeous hand-carved oak woodwork and vintage glittering chandeliers, the castle was surrounded by lush grounds and flower gardens. When I painted this piece, the Manresa Castle (ManresaCastle.com) was serving guests as a very popular inn and fine restaurant. An interesting note, rumor had it that guests have suggested that the castle may be haunted by ghosts. Highlight ~ Sally Mom and my dad Joe celebrated with a 40th wedding anniversary with dinner here in October 1986, their last together before my dad passed away in February 1987.
• The Entire Port Townsend Collection pdf ~ Click on the pdf to see and learn about all 18 paintings in this collection.
NEW! "DEER PARK PATRIOTIC PICNIC" (DEER PARK, WESTERN WA • PAINTED MAY 2023 • ACRYLIC-ON-CANVAS • 5X7-INCH)
I completed this home portrait of a handsome two-story cottage in the forest north of Spokane in Deer Park as a special wedding gift for the daughter of dear friends of ours and her new groom. The newlyweds were seated to the right on the front porch patio with the bride’s parents, Jeannine and Godfather Dave Fruci. Others in the artwork were her sister Kristana's family at the picnic table and other friends of the family (including Doug and me) unloading boxes of fireworks for an after-dinner spectacular display. The red, white and blue theme of the art was a patriotic celebration as the marriage took place the weekend before Memorial Day. Joining the revelers were the couple’s beloved pooches, their rooster and a handful of the chickens who shared a coop on this 20-acre property. What a perfect day for a patriotic celebration at this beautiful country setting!
• The Entire Greater Inland NW / North Idaho Collection pdf ~ Click on this pdf to see and learn about all 19 paintings in this collection.
"THE HISTORIC HUTTON HOUSE" (THE SOUTH HILL, SPOKANE, WA • PAINTED APRIL 2016 • ACRYLIC-ON-CANVAS • 8X10-INCH)
The stately Neoclassical Hutton House was built on 17th Avenue in the Perry District by Spokane’s acclaimed architect George W. Keith for Levi and May Arkwright Hutton. After discovering an extremely rich vein of silver with their business partners the Paulsens, the Huttons achieved huge financial success with the Hercules Mine. But the Huttons didn’t just amass wealth, they were huge civic-minded benefactors to their community, building a large office building in the Downtown District, and the beautiful Hutton Settlement in Spokane Valley which has served as one of the most respected orphanages for decades. May Arkwright also passionately supported women’s suffrage and was influential in securing the right to vote for women in Washington State. Highlight ~ When I painted the portrait of the immaculately maintained Hutton House, the current property owners had festively festooned the mansion with flags and patriotic bunting for Independence Day as pictured in this piece.
• The Entire Spokane South Hill Collection pdf ~ Click on this pdf to see and learn about all 92 paintings in this collection.
"PATRIOTIC PICNIC AT THE WAGON WHEEL HOUSE" (THE NORTH SIDE, SPOKANE, WA • PAINTED APRIL 2021 • ACRYLIC ON CANVAS • 8X10-INCH)
This portrait of a remarkably beautiful Queen Anne down the alleyway across from Gonzaga Prep’s east parking lot was in the midst of an ambitious renovation when I discovered it four years before I created this painting. The property’s unusual choice of old wagon wheels to border the alleyway suggested it may have been a homestead once. I was truly stunned at what a lovely home it must have been when originally constructed ~ and delighted to see that someone had taken it under their wing, breathing life back into the setting. I did some lengthy research, trying to find out whose grand home this once was, but all to no avail. I gave the portrait a patriotic theme with a huge flag, lots of bunting, and friendly folks about to enjoy a Summer picnic. Highlight ~ This was one of a very few grand mansions built in this section of Spokane’s North Side that had largely been populated for decades with simple modest cottages and bungalows bult after World War II for returning servicemen.
• The Entire North Side Collection pdf ~ Click on this pdf to see and learn about all 32 paintings in this collection.
"INDEPENDENCE INN • MATT ALBERT HOUSE" (SHOHOMISH, WA • PAINTED JUNE 2008 • ACRYLIC ON CANVAS • 8X10-INCH)
This pretty two-story Dutch Colonial-style home was built in 1900 on 304 Avenue A in the heart of the historic district in Snohomish, WA, just a short drive north of Seattle. Snohomish has always been a huge favorite with visitors as it is filled with charming B&Bs, cafes, restored vintage homes of nearly every architectural style ~ and best of all, a great collection of antique shops. When I visited the community for the first time in the mid-1980s, this residence was featured on their Tour of Historic Snohomish Homes. I created the fictional name “Independence Inn” for this patriotic flag-filled piece. In 2012, when I became involved with the Snohomish Historical Society researching history for my first Snohomish of several calendars, I met the property owners and learned that the suite over the garage was actually set up to accommodate overnight guests, so the B&B theme was actually completely true!! Highlight ~ This festive 4th of July picnic scene pictured our son Matt, his wife Heidi and me watching Grandpa Doug (G-Dub as he was nicknamed) playfully tossing granddaughter Addison Lee into the air when she was just a toddler.
• The Entire Snohomish Collection pdf ~ Click on this pdf to see and learn about all 27 paintings in this collection.
As you can see by the artwork shared above and throughout this website, I've been busy this year and last. Click on the 2024 / 2023 All NEW "Americana" Art Collection pdf to see all my most recent paintings. Creating my friendly, charming pieces has proved to be an integral part of my healing process since the passing of my beloved Doug in September, 2023 ~ soothing on dark days when I miss him the most. I am so grateful to be blessed with this gift of talent that still brings me joy ~ both to myself and others.
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