Frame of Mind 2025 Artist Bios

Rev. Patricia Barrett

(Born in Brooklyn, New York in 1949)

Known as Patti, I fell into painting when I was working as an Episcopal priest in 2010. I never had thought of painting anything but things changed quickly once I began and I became an active artist as well as a minister. Painting was new to me but it changed my life in many ways giving me a chance to express myself in color rather than words.

My last church was in Falmouth, Massachusetts, where I took many art classes and began to show my work – and actually sold quite a bit, which was a surprise! Painting is still with me here in Port Townsend where my husband, Will, and our dog, Harris, enjoy being on this coast. Alzheimer's came into my life just after we moved here 8 years ago, but we have been graced with excellent doctors and new friends here in Port Townsend.

Patricia Barrett, Finding A Path, Acrylics, 2025, 12 x 12 inches

Patricia Barrett, French Memory, Pastels, 2010, 11 ¾”” x 11 ¾” inches

Patricia Barrett, Keep Dancing, Acrylics, 2024, 18 x 18  inches

Patricia Barrett, Orange Kind of Day, Acrylics, 2024, 16 x 12 inches

Don Bly

Don was born in Pasadena, California and grew up about 400 miles north in Greenbrae, California. He and his wife, Leanne, met in the 6th grade and they married in 1968.  Don has a BS from Harvey Mudd College and a PhD from Stanford in Engineering. Leanne and Don have four sons, all raised in Cleveland, Ohio.  Don worked for Corning Glass Works (Corning, New York), General Electric (Cleveland, Ohio) and Emerson Corporation (Columbus, OH). He attended Elderwise and loved it for many years, and enjoyed the friendships he made there; it was always a good day.

Don Bly, Springtime, Wet-on-Wet Watercolor, 2024, 12 X 17 inches

Charlie Bodenstab

Charlie was born in New Jersey, a first-generation American, to parents who migrated to the United States from Germany. He lived most of his life in New England, then moved to Minnesota, finally retiring to the San Juan Islands. Charlie has four children and is a retired “prolific businessman,” having had C-level leadership roles in several businesses.  In addition, Charlie had his own company and wrote multiple books on successful management.  Upon retirement, he continued to stay busy volunteering with several organizations on San Juan Island.  He currently lives at Aegis, Bellevue and sees his daughter Lauren almost every day.

Charlie Bodenstab, Ocean Waves, Watercolor Wet-on-Wet, 2024, 12 x 17 inches

Lupita Cano

Lupita Cano is a Seattle native and member of a large, loving family.  As a youth, she discovered painting, which turned out to be the perfect vehicle to express her bold personality, unfettered creativity, and independent spirit. She dedicated countless hours to developing her natural talent, and she eventually became an accomplished artist/business owner who has exhibited and sold her work throughout the country at art galleries, craft fairs, and conferences, and whose art has graced the covers of books and other publications. She was diagnosed with dementia in 2021. During this period, she found it extremely difficult to paint. With the encouragement and help of instructors at Vibrant Palette Art Center and Museum of Special Art (MOSA), and with the support of loved ones, Lupita has been able to adapt her methods of creating art. Although she is less prolific and her artworks are much smaller, her joy, satisfaction, and bright spirit have not diminished.

Lupita Cano, Happy Spring, Acrylic on canvas, 2024, 8 x 10  inches

Lupita Cano, Keep Moving, Acrylic on canvas, 2025, 8 x 10  inches

Lupita Cano, Summer, Acrylic on canvas, 2025, 9 x 6 inches

Mike Katke

My name is Mike Katke. I was born in Spokane, Washington and grew up in San Diego, California. I then lived in Spokane until 2024, when my wife Linda and I moved to Bothell to be closer to our son and his family.  

My profession was a Millwright. I installed industrial equipment and was essentially a jack-of-all-trades. My wife and I have been married for over 49 years, and we enjoy traveling the world.  When I was younger, I was an avid skier, both snow and water. I have always been handy with my hands, which enriched my ability to begin carving wood.   

About 5 years ago, I was invited by a neighbor in Arizona to try my hand at carving.  To my surprise, I seriously enjoyed it. We spend our winters in Arizona, where I have access to a complete woodshop, which helps me trim the wood closer to the desired shape. I am essentially self-taught and take my inspiration from nature, books, and photos. Some of my pieces can take up to a month to carve.  I’m still working on my skills, especially painting.

Mike Katke, Bird of Paradise, Relief Carving with Bass Wood and Acrylic Paint, 2025, 11 x 10.5 x 1 inches

Mike Katke, Scandinavian Man, Bass Wood with Acrylic Paint, 2020, 3.5 x 1 x 1 inches

Mike Katke, Hound Dog, Bass Wood with Acrylic Paint, 2022, 5.5 x 3.5 x 5.25 inches

Jacki Putnam

I’ve played with art since I was a kid. By midlife, my three kids were old enough for me to fulfill my wish of going to college, and in 2002, I graduated from Gonzaga University with a BA in Studio Arts. 

Fast forward to the spring of 2023, and I was diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease. I tried one of the new monoclonal antibody treatments but had a rare and serious reaction. And when I tried the two more common medications for Alzheimer’s, they didn’t work for me either. I had exhausted what the medical community had to offer and was now at a dead end.

At first, I didn’t seem to be able to make the art I used to. But I pressed on, finally allowing myself to make mistakes, let things be off center, or be crooked. It was a relief, and the art started to flow.

Printmaking is a process, and I’ve always found it helpful to work through my issues using the medium.  It has been perfect for me to express my fears, my gratitude, and even some humor. When I am creating, I’m myself, not a “person with Alzheimer’s”. What a gift! I think art is doing more for my brain than any medication could.

I’m so pleased to be able to share these pieces with others like me, dealing with memory problems, and also with the people who love them. I hope it resonates with both.

Jacki Putnam, TimePeace, Accordion book with monoprinting, decals and text; 12 pages, Undated, 5.5 x 5.5 inches each page, 70 inches long

Jacki Putnam, Holding Both, Photocopy over monoprint stencils, Undated, 7.5 x 9.5 inches

“Hanging on to my humor while hanging on to my brain”

Jacki Putnam, Love, Mixed Media with altered playing cards, mounted on canvas, 2025, 10 x 15 inches

“Right down there in the thick of things, we discover the love that will not die.”

Marc Steinberg

Marc Steinberg was a devoted North Carolina and Montana rural physician, loving family man, and faithful friend, and he lived with the intent to serve others.

He was full of curiosity and had many passions, from understanding the science and humanity of practicing medicine to deep enjoyment of the arts, teaching, writing, exploring the wilderness, photography, caring for his beloved horses and dogs, and journeying with his family. He taught young doctors and was an author of the bestselling book Motivational Interviewing and Diabetes Care.

Marc was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s in June 2020. He began actively exploring the joy of connection through painting. His was a unique style, spontaneous yet built upon years of multisensory experiences, his quirky sense of humor, kindness, and deep compassion. Painting brought him deep peace and joy in uncertain times. Painting provided new ways to communicate and connect with family, friends, and caregivers. His art brought meaning to many Missoula community members and multiple small Montana communities through his traveling Art Exhibit in collaboration with the Internationally Distinguished Missoula Public Library. His art and story are preserved in hundreds of paintings, as well as beautifully demonstrated in a video of him running a “Memory Cafe” workshop about painting with Alzheimer’s. 

Marc was always very intentional about sharing his experiences with Alzheimer’s, to serve others, and to leave the world a better place. All of Marc’s paintings were nonrepresentational and untitled. At times, Marc reflected that they looked like plowed fields or landscapes or aerial views.

Marc Steinberg, Animal Bridge, Print from an acrylic painting, 2021, 9 x 12 inches

Animal Bridge was named for a bridge built over a highway to provide safer crossing for wildlife.

Marc Steinberg, Southwest Outside, Print from an acrylic painting, 2021, 9 x 12 inches

Southwest Outside was named for the red rock, sky, trees, and rivers of Utah.

Artist Statement