EMBRACING WINTER AFTER THE HOLIDAYS . . .
The Holidays have come and gone ~ a memory-filled slice of FALL INTO WINTER in the Inland NW. The featured art on ths page honors the crisp months after that festive time of year as our neck-of-the-woods enjoys all four seasons!
AMERICANA FINE ART• My collection of nearly 500 paintings is full of family friendly details, each taking 40-70 hours to finish. You'll also find art in other media like pen-and-ink on my COMMISSION page.
ARCHITECT KK CUTTER'S FINEST • On this page, the NEW "Winter Magic at the Glover Mansion" (below) pictures one of Kirtland Cutter's distinctive Tudors on Spokane's Lower South Hill. Many couples have celebrated weddings and other special events in this stunning legendary beauty.
Initially home to James Glover (known as the "Father of Spokane"), the structure's worn many hats, including serving as an apartment house for retuning World War II servicemen' and their families, an elegant event center, and more. With Glover's efforts, Spokane became a city.
Highlight ~ As you explore my website, you'll find portraits of other Kirtland Cutter settings in Idaho, Montana, and even California. Among others there, he designed Victor Flemming's home, who gave us 1939 masterpieces like the "The Wizard of Oz" and "Gone With the Wind."
THREE COLLECTION PAGES • Two pages, PUGET SOUND and SPOKANE (INLAND NW), highlight Pacific NW settings ~ beautiful cities, the Columbia River, Pacific Ocean with its coastline and islands, rain forests, mountains, prairies of wheat fields, and valleys with grape vines serving the ever-growing Washington wine industry. The third page, MORE PAINTINGS, shares scenes from other U.S. regions, like Alaska and Hawaii, plus the U.K., Europe, former U.S.S.R., and beyond.
MY COLLECTION • The subjects and settings I've chosen to paint are diverse ~ landmarks (both prestigious and fun), parks, schools, churches, Home Sweet Homes, vacation destinations, pets, kiddos, and wonderful friends Doug and I made over the years ~ and more.
PAGE-BY-PAGE OVERVIEW • Further down on this page, you'll find an overview of what's included on each page of this website. WELCOME!
A FEW WORDS ABOUT MY SWEET "PRINCE" . . .
"IT'S ALL GOOD!" • This handsome guy was my "prince" for 25 years. Although we fought his rare cancer for six of those, Dougie finally left us all in Fall 2023. Always smiling, "It's all good," he'd say without complaint, especially in his last toughest six months. He lived like he was 100%, blessing us all with memories. I can't wait to join him when it's my turn. I know he'll be waiting. At Hospice House, over 100 visitors came to say good-bye. Doug was one of the GOOD ones. . .
"THE GREATEST GAME" • In August 2022 at Rogue Valley CC in Medford, OR, this gifted golfer and ASU team alum won 1st place in his division. Then we were off to Pebble Beach with lifelong pals Mo McFadden and Darrell Hunt where his last three scores of "The Greatest Game" were in the 70s. This year, some of his ashes found their way to five of his favorite courses ~ a last wish.
TOGETHER • When we began dating in 1997, he joined me at the artists' reception in Olympia for Lt. Gov. Brad Owen's "Children at Play in Washington" exhibit (see my BIOGRAPHY page). For 25 years he was beside me setting up art events, sharing his grin with everyone. He encouraged my art, and I, his passion for golf. Highlight ~ I began creating Holiday golf-themed card art our first year. The last 25th one in 2024, NEW "Heavenly Happy Golfers," pictured Doug with dad Russ and pal Ric Metzger in angel wings, putting on a green in heaven. Find this on the MORE PAINTINGS page with others from that group honoring the sport he loved. I still miss him SO . . .
MY AMERICANA GROUP OF PAINTINGS PICTURING SEASONAL SCENES
My post-Holiday FALL INTO WINTER artwork on the WHAT'S NEW page highlights a dozen settings from the Pacific NW and beyond. Each of the three themes shares four paintings beginning with a Spokane (my home town) painting paired with three from other largely Washington State settings.
Find FALL INTO WINTER artwork peppered throughout my website on the PUGET SOUND, SPOKANE (INLAND NW) and MORE PAINTINGS pages and others.
I'M SO GRATEFUL TO MY FRIENDS, FAMILY AND PATRONS!
SO GREAT TO SEE SO MANY AT LAST DECEMBER'S THREE FESTIVE HOLIDAY MARKETPLACES! • Thanks so much for joining me to do somer Holiday shopping at these three Holiday Art "Meet & Greets." I'm gratefull to my friends, family and patrons for making 2024 one of my most successful Holiday Seasons ever ~ such a gift with my sweetheart Doug no longer beside me at these events. Even though there were a few small challenges without him by my side, all in all, it was a heart-warming Season. I appreciate you all stopping by to wish me well. HAPPY NEW YEAR IN 2025!!
As we move into this 2025, see my ART VENUES page for details on possible future events. Hope to see you again soon!
FIVE VENUES IN SPOKANE AND THE INLAND NW
Not all venues offer the same items, but the theme for ALL is FALL INTO WINTER!
• ACE HARDWARE • 9th Ave. & South Monroe Str., The South Hill • With the largest selection of my art items for over 10 years in the Inland NW, Ace offers 90 card images that revolve with the seasons. Shoppers may still find NEW 2025 Calendars as well as jigsaw puzzles, magnets and more. Details are below and on the CALS • PUZZLES+ page.
• UPS • 29th Ave. & SE Blvd., The South Hill • This UPS has a 24-image rack of my seasonal cards, 4-image jigsaw puzzles (honoring the four seasons), and possibly a few remaining 2025 calendars. After selling his shop on Regal Road near my home in 2021, the owner offered to feature my work at his new location near Lincoln Heights Shopping Center.
• CAROUSEL SHOP & ICE RIBBON • 507 N Howard Str., Riverfront Park, Downtown District • The Looff Carousel has delighted folks since Nat Park's early days (demolished i1968) and now Riverfront Park. Find two card racks that also revolve with the seasons ~ one by the Carousel Gift Shop entrance and the other by the Ice Ribbon. There's also jigsaw puzzles and perhaps a few 2025 calendars. Highlight ~ In Summer 2024, when the park celebrated EXPO '74's big anniversary, my NEW "Four Seasons of Riverfront Park" puzzle honoing that was a favorite of many!
• NORTHWEST MUSEUM OF ARTS AND CULTURE (THE MAC) • 2316 First Ave., Browne's Addition • In Spokane's very first residential neighborhood west of the Downtown District, The MAC (Northwest Museum of Arts and Culture) Gift Shop has offered my fine art cards and other merchandise since 1997. 2025 marks 25+ years at this favorite historic Spokane venue that includes the immaculately restored Amasa Campbell House.
• THE CROSBY MUSEUM • 508 E Sharp, Gonzaga University, The North Side • In 2022, the museum created in Bing Crosby's family home on Gonzaga's campus, began carrying my "The Bing Crosby Craftsman" art cards. During the Holidays, the museum's stewardship group also presents its beloved annual "Bing Crosby Holiday Film Festival" in Downtown' Bing Crosby Theater.
On my WHAT'S NEW page, in addition to the 12 FALL INTO WINTER paintings, I've shared an overview (pdf format) of all the art completed in 2023 and 2024. As I finish NEW 2025 paintings, I'll add them in. Find two NEW jigsaw puzzles on my CALENDAR, PUZZLE+ page. Questions? Phone me at 206.406.1409.
VERY IMPORTANT PATRON (VIP) LIST, MY ART STUDIO, AND MORE
ANNUAL POSTCARDS • Each year, I send 2-3 postcards to my VIP (Very Important Patron) list ~ usually via text ot email (and occasionally USPS printed postcards) to share upcoming "Meet & Greets" and to introduce NEW products. If you would like to be added to the list, please contact me at 206.406.1409. Your privacy is very important to me. I absolutely NEVER share your personal information. Find everything I offer on my ORDERING page.
PITTYPAT STUDIO • After I lost Doug in 2023, moving forward without him prompted me to move his "Man Room" golf memorabilia to the lower level where his sports trophies were already displayed. This main floor space became my studio, and the old lower level one, a much-needed guest suite. Though smaller, the new studio has everything I need ~ art supplies, books, framing materials, etc. As I digitally design everything from my originals (calendars, cards, puzzles, promo materials, my website and more), I'm spending many productive hours here.
COZY COTTAGE • When Doug and I moved to our cottage in this friendly multi-generational gated community, we created a big list of upgrades before he passed. Most have been finished. Last Summer, Doug's roses and my pots of red geraniums blossomed while white wax begonias bordered the beds. For the Holidays, I trimmed the arborvitaes in our front garden with golden-white lights echoing the new lamps. Highlight ~ Lucky me! Between Christmas and New Years, son Kevin, Taryn, and our three grandkiddos ariived for a visit from Western Washington!
SEASON'S CHANGE • After a warm Fall, my studio windows are sharing snowy scenes ~ including my grandkids' snowman who's survived for weeks, even with periodic thaws!
Highlight ~ My computer monitor (left) pictures the mentioned NEW portrat of the Glover Mansion, featured further down on this page.
THREE ORGANIZATIONS (AND MORE) . . . GIVING BACK WITH ART DIRECTION & DESIGN SUPPORT
KING COUNTY • Before returning to Spokane in 2011, I served on several boards andI donated many design hours to King County's Eastside Heritage Center, Sammamish Art, the City of Redmond, its Historical Society, and other organizations.
(LEFT) SPOKANE PRESERVATION ADVOCATES (2016 to Present) • Their quarterly newsletter has been a favorite volunteer project, sharing info on workshops, fundraisers, and more. This issue promoted SPA's Holiday Fund-raiser at the Roche House on Spokane's South Hill. Working for nearly a decade with Executive Coordinator Dave Shockley has been hugely rewarding! Visit this website SpokanePreservation.org to join. Read the most recent issue my clicking on the cover image (left).
MOORE-TURNER HERITAGE GARDENS (2017-2018) • Because of their heritage plantings and vintage structures, these gardens are incredibly unique. Historian Linda Yeomans invited me to art direct projects and restore the group's graphic vision. Sadly, their ambitious fund-raisers (Mothers' Day Tea and Art in Bloom) required so much time, I resigned when Doug got his cancer diagnosis.
CDA PARK AND BROWNE'S ADDITION NEIGHBORHOOD COUNCIL (2015 to Present) • Julie Biggerstaff and Mary Lou Sproul invited me to art direct CDA Park's 125th birthday fundraiser "Art in The Park." This included donating my original "Vintage View of Coeur d'Alene Park" for their raffle. Since then, I've done posters and program covers for the park's Summer concert series plus other projects as time permits. Visit my BIOGRAPHY page to learn about all the causes I support and how.
FRIENDS OF MANITO (2024 to Present) • In Spring 2024, I joined volunteers weeding and repotting to help with two TFM Plant Sale fund-raisers. I'm currently painting a scene of it that includes the two long-term leaders surrounded by TFM volunteers who love them and the park. Look for it soon!
NEW! SNOWY SCENE OF ONE OF KIRTLAND CUTTER'S MOST BELOVED ARCHITECTURAL BEAUTIES
SNOWFALL & SNOWMEN AT THE GLOVER HOUSE • A decade ago, I painted a Spring-themed portrait of Spokane's Glover mansion to honor a friend's wedding there. Tucked into property near Sacred Heart Medical Center on the lower South Hill, its view of the Downtown Spokane was stunning.
The couple exchanged vows in the garden left of what had once been James Glover's elegant home. The mansion offered a large space just inside for the feast we enjoyed after the ceremony on this perfect day to remember!
A NEW IDEA • I become friends with the owner who bought cards (and calendars when his mansion was cover art). I delivered an order to him in early Spring 2023, and shared I was thinking of creating a Winter scene of the property. Interested, he said, "Wonderful! Keep me posted." When Doug passed a few months later in September, creating this piece helped a great deal with my healing.
Later in Spring 2024, I gave a framed print of the art with the snowmen welcoming guests. He and his wife were so delighted, they ordered prints for their son and daughter for Christmas. They especially loved the warm friendly feeling the glowing windows created.
A LITTLE HSTORY • Designed by Cutter in 1889, construction was of stucco and granite instead of the prolific local basaltic rock. This gave it a coveted old established look with an imposing interior that remarkably was also filled with comfortable details. It's been beautifully preserved.
USING HOLIDAY REDS TO CELEBRATE HAPPY HEARTS ON VALENTINE'S DAY!
WINTER'S MOST ROMANTIC HOLIDAY• After many days blessed by Christmas gatherings, holidays are few and far between in FALL INTO WINTER. Most of my friends who have stayed in snowy Spokane are hunkering down with giid books and engaging movies, Others have have left the chilly Northwest for Hawaii, Arizona, California, and Mexico for blessed sunshine and warm summer-like days.!
VALENTINE'S DAY • But, that being said, February 14th is one of my favorites as that's when all my dreams came true. Doug game me a beautiful engagement ring on February 14, 2000, making me the happiest woman ever for the next 23 years. I wear it still, always celebrating my fond memories.
APRIL CORNELL • In our dining room, I've dressed the dining room table with a huge bouquet of tulips, shiny red hearts, and whimsical bird figurines on top of April Cornell's Winter crimson, white and deep green linens (AprilCornell.com).
APRIL'S "BIRDSONG" FIXTURES • I moonlighted at Arpril's shop near Seattle when she had a presence in the Northwest. Thanks to her generous discount, my linen closet is still full of her beautiful home goods ~ and my closet, her lyrical tea dresses, embroidered cardigans and other lovely items.
In the 2000s, April's focus turned to building a stronger presence on the East Coast (Canada & U.S.). When she closed her shop, the manager offered me her "Birdsong" wrought-iron fixtures at a substantial discount. Two of her tri-fold wrought-iron screens display nine each of my 11x14-inch paintings, her easels my larger 16x20-inch pieces, and smaller ones my calendars, puzzles, cards, magnets, brochures and more. See these in the photo of my display on my ART VENUES page.
ANOTHER SHOP I MISS • I often anchor both ends of my table with whimsical wrought iron dancing bear candlesticks. Bought 20+ years ago, these came from Eddie Bauer's Home Store. These served customers all over the U.S. before the company downsized. My sisters andI still miss this shop with its furniture, linens, and decor items of all types for all seasons ~ a shining period in EB's history!
Click on the image here or on the "Home Sweet Home Happy Hearts" pdf for decor ideas to lift your heart.
INSPIRING "FOREVER YOUNG" SALLY MOM
SALLY MOM • For 97 years, my mother has inspired her three girls Marilee, Peggy, and me ~ pictured here with longtime friend Robin, who calls Sally her "adopted" mom (left).
CREATIVITY EACH SEASON • For as long as we can remember, she has always been creating. Blessed with an artistic eye, grace and style, she's always excelled at putting together her surroundings artfully, and blessedly, has passed these traditions on to us. As youngsters, we looked forward to each season's change and what she'd dream up to keep our homes unique, yet warm and inviting.
AMAZING DIY-ER • In addition, as toddlers, she made our playsets. During teenage years, she sewed our date outfits, prom dresses and Cotillion gowns (my sisters and I still have ours). In the 1950s, she created English-themed cabbage rose slip-covers for our Dutch Colonial's living room, echoing the same print on the dining room's wallpaper. After moving to a Mid-Century Modern in suburban Spokane Valley in the 1960s-'70s and later the view condo she shared with my father, her creations were even more sleek and stylish. In countless ways, she infused beauty. Did I mention she still has a glorious green thumb?
A BIG CHANGE • After years in their condominium (dad passed in 1988), she moved to a view apartment at Evergreen Fountains further east in 2022. Her move was prudent, as her condo's flights of icy outdoor stairs plus COVID's months of isolation made this the right choice.
EVERGREEN FOUNTAINS • Her community is peppered with pals from her nearby Catholic parish, plus it offers restaurants, social gatherings, exercise classes and more. The complex is surrounded by gorgeous gardens in warmer months when she works two pea patches and lines her deck with flowering pots. Twinkling lights sparkle there at Christmas.
In addition to visits from Simpsons, Sally loves catching up with Rita Drake and Carmen Perkins, gal pals she's known for decades. They played golf together for years before a hip finally said, "No more, Sally!" These days, she and Carmen attend Mass on Sundays at Saint John Vianney, sharing light breakfasts after at favorite cafes. Carmen's lives nearby and is always a welcome guest, especially during Winter when others tend to hunker down.
WELCOME PAGE • YOU ARE HERE! This "HOME" page touches on my background and current projects on my list. Plus it shares a little about what inspired me to create fine art in the Americana style I've been so drawn to these many decades. As I shared above, my collection numbers 450+ works, with over 250 of these celebrating the Inland NW and my beloved home town of Spokane, Washington.
WHAT'S NEW PAGE • This page features a dozen of my FALL INTO WINTER works (one NEW!) divided into three themes of four paintings each. You'll find histories and websites where available. I've also shared a pdf of all the NEW 13 paintings completed in 2023 and 2024. As I complete NEW pieces in 2025, his overview will change to 2024 and 2025.
FALL INTO WINTER (AFTER THE HOLIDAYS) COLLECTION
CORRECTION 2025 JULY DATE PAGE • MY SINCERE APOLOGIES! Even though My 2025 Calendars werer VERY carefully proofed by 5 different parties, they went to press with a big error. All dates on my JULY page are off by one day. I am so sorry for any inconvenience this may cause you. I have printed correction pages to send you, so please contact me for a copy. at 206.406.1509 (talk / text).
NEW 2025 calendars are largely SOLD OUT. NOTE: These last issues feature correct July pags. wo NEW Puzzles were eleased for Holiday giving, but some editions including the Christmas edition are SOLD OUT. These are in limited quantites, as well. Two perpetual-life journals are currently under consideration for design, production, and future release.
VERY LIMITED QUANTITIES • 2025 THREE EDITIONS OF 31ST ANNIVERSARY CALENDARS • See this page for all the details on these three calendars. NOTE: Click here on image (left) for an overview of FALL INTO WINTER covers and "thumbnail" images for each.
PAST DECADES • Over the past three decades, my calendars have shared paintings of Spokane and the Inland NW, plus Puget Sound editions celebrating Seattle, King County's Eastside Communities, Snohomish, Port Townsend and Roche Harbor. and more. Click on the "2025 Past Calendars List" pdf to see all the Calendar titles from 1994 to present. This list includes Northwest Museum of Arts and Culture editions creatied periodically at the request of the MAC since 1997.
COMING THIS SPRING ~ Look for NEW 2026 Calendars!
Here's a list of titles in the three 2025 editions:
UNDER CONSIDERATION • JOURNALS (2 EDITIONS: INLAND NW~ INLAND NW • Spokane & the Idaho Panhandle ) & WASHINGTON STATE ~ Communitities and settings throughout the State • I'm considering creating NEW 5th editions, so see this page for more information as 2025 unfolds. These spiral-bound date-keepers feature 44 color images with histories & photos for each. As they are not date-specific, journals have a perpetual shelf-life.
LIMITED QUANTITIES! • TWO NEW JIGSAW PUZZLES WITH MORE PLANNED FOR 2025
NEW PUZZLES (left) • Downtown Spokane's Riverfront Park (SOLD OUT) and Spokane Valley's Arbor Crest Cellars Cliff House Estate
FOUR PAINTINGS • Instead of one , my puzzles share four images. Most highlight Winter, Spring, Summer, and Fall (clockwise), but there is also a special Holiday edition highlighting these four works: "The Crescemt Window at Christmas," "Ice Ribbon at Riverfront Park," "Kris Kringle Comes to the Cliff House (Arbor Crest)" and "The Looff Christmas Carousel."
SUBJECTS & THEMES • Each puzzle features a theme and often a specific Spokane neighborhood, i.e. Gonzaga University, historic Manito Park, the architecture of Kirtland Cutter, fun destinations like Frank's Diner, and puzzles honoring churches on Spokane's South Hill.
The addition of two NEW 2024 puzzles brings the total to nine since I began offering them in 2018. Click on "2024 Past Puzzles List" to see them all. NOTE: Some are only available in limited quantities while others are sold out and not in the rotation for re-printing at this time. Please call or text me for details on availability at 206.406.1409.
FINISHED PUZZLES ~ When you fit the last piece into your puzzle, it shows images and the red ribbon sharing the painting titles. NOTE: The left logo and word "PUZZLE" is not included. The 504-piece finished size is 16x20" and fits nicely into standard frames available at craft stores like Michaels, Hobby Lobby and more. Thanks to so many of you who have kindly shared photos of your finished "masterpieces."
NEW THEMES:
THREE ARTWORK COLLECTIONS PAGES • With nearly 500 works of Americana fine art, it's easy to create seasonal collections. Each page share dozens of images chosen to reflect this season's FALL INTO WINTER artwork. Many of these are NEW!
ARTWORK GROUPS • Each group of paintings on these pages opens with a pdf sharing ALL the images and stories contained in that group.
COMMISSION PAGE • love this genre and have created portraits of settings for clients all over the U.S.A. and beyond. This page opens with "neighborhood" paintings with several homes shared included in each. Portraitds include "Home Sweet Homes," gardens, boats, cars, people of all ages (lots of kiddos), pets and more. Often, these images are included in calendars. This page includes details on everything you need to know about commissioning a portrait.
ART VENUES PAGE • This includes information about upcoming "Meet & Greets" throughout the Inland NW like the photo of Doug and I at Arbor Crest Cellars(left) and Spokane's five local venues that offers my cards, puzzles, calendars, and more (shared in greater detail above).
SPOKANE RETAIL VENUES THAT CARRY MY WORK
MY RECENT SCHEDULE • In 2023, I only did one "Meet & Greet" as Doug's health was worseningsignificantly in the first half of the year. After I lost him in September, my busiest season was just beginning. It was a devastating time and an impossible scenario. Everything stopped.
I needed to grieve, start the healing process, and ultimagely reorganize my life without the love of my life for 25 years. I am doing my best to take baby steps forward each day, and blessedly, I am getting better. That being said, as time goes by, my schedule may be more modest compared to past decades. Thank you for your kindness and your many prayers.
DATES FOR 2025 • I hope to share event dates on this page as 2025 unfolds ~ TBD.
ORDERING PAGE • This page shares details about originals, framed canvas reproductions, fine paper prints, print / card gift packets, art journals, calendars, jigsaw puzzles, cards and more. I accent most credit cards, and on occasion, personal checks. NOTE: I closed PittyPat gallery in 2020, so I could be more available for Doug as we fought his cancer. My goal was also to shift my focus more to commission projects and less on in-person events. Questions? Please call 206.406.1409.
BIOGRAPHY PAGE • This is my “life story” page. It shares my background and events that helped me grow as an award-winning Americana fine artist ~ from my first grade report card (my inspiring first grade teacher left us in May 2023 at age 94) to the present. This page includes press clippings, magazine articles, art festivals I've helped develop, awards received, plus many charitable causes I've supported over the years like Spokane Symphony's "Christmas Tree Elegance." NOTE: The "Financial and Fine Art Donations" section on this page lists all the causes I donate to in greater detail.
BRIDAL PAGE • Blessedly, couples have resumed their once-in-a-lifetime celebrations after COVID'S terrible years. This page shares sample work I've done and what I offer for these very special celebrations.
CHOOSE FROM:
THREE 2023 CEREMONIES THAT WERE VERY SPECIAL FOR DOUG AND ME
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."
