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Welcome to the Pause Blog which features strategies for boosting energy, fueling enthusiasm, inspiring insight, rekindling spirit – and my reflections on life in general.

A New Year’s Greeting

January 11, 2024

It’s been an unusual fall and winter here in Saskatoon with high (for us) temperatures and no snow to speak of all the way through into the new year.

But now that we’re coming up on the middle of January, that’s all changed. The snow arrived this week, and with it the deep freeze temperatures that are common in our part of the world at this time of the year.

Before my fingers get too frosted to work on the keyboard, I want to take a moment to wish you and yours a healthy and happy 2024. May the adventures ahead lift your spirits and your relationships fill your hearts.

I usually sum up our family’s experiences with an annual photo collage of the special moments from our year.  Here’s a link to the 2023 Katz Family Highlights. We’re grateful for the many blessings and adventures that were ours to share.

Let It Snow…Let It Snow…Let It Snow!

December 13, 2023

Well, it’s 12 days till Christmas and here in Saskatoon (and apparently in a few other places across the country), there is no snow to be found.

If you are yearning for a White Christmas, this message might help you make that dream come true.

Here are four of the snowy winter scenes from the Blue Sky Series that I introduced in December of 2022.

Since the debut of the series, which was offered unframed, I have matted and mounted this quartette of beauties under glass in silver aluminum frames with hanging wires – completely ready to display on your wall.

The price for each 8” x 8” original watercolor with gouache – professionally mounted and framed – is $100 including taxes. Delivery in Saskatoon is provided free of charge. Shipping outside the city will be billed at cost.

If you are interested in adding these fresh snow scenes to your world – or gifting them to someone else – just send me a message and we will make that happen. (more…)

Small Moments Matter

September 27, 2023

It’s a perfect September day for a walk – sunny skies, warm air, beautiful colors. As I round the corner of our house and head down the city walkway in the direction of the river, I meet a duo who are also enjoying the morning.

The young girl (maybe 5 or 6 years old) crouches over a pile of multi colored leaves that have fallen from the maple tree that leans out over the sidewalk. Her mother stands nearby.

We exchange greetings and I say how lovely the leaves look today. The little one tells me she’s searching for a red leaf to give her mother, explaining that red is Mom’s favorite color. I crouch down to lend an eye. (more…)

A Walk In The Rain

August 11, 2023

Along Meewasin Trail On A Rainy Friday Morning

I went for a walk in the rain this morning. Although a morning walk wasn’t unusual for me, the rain certainly was. We’ve had quite the dry spell here in Saskatchewan this summer.

Only one lonely dog walking its master crossed my path. On any given morning, along my regular riverside loop, there are easily ten times that many walkers with and without dogs  – and a half dozen cyclists thrown in for good measure.

But, this morning, I had the river to myself. Well, not exactly to myself. I had a podcast playing in my ear.

During the dark days of covid and the cold winter months, I started listening to podcasts on my walks. It was a way to take my mind off the pandemic and entice my reluctant, cold-resistant self to get out there and keep moving.

Previously – in my years of regular Pause blog posts – those morning walks were a time of meditation. (more…)

Nine Great Reasons To Include Our Artists’ Workshop ‘Viewpoints’ Show In Your Plans This Weekend

April 21, 2023

After much anticipation and preparation, the doors will open to the 2023 edition of our Artists’ Workshop Spring Show & Sale at 5:00 this afternoon (Friday, April 21st) at Grace Westminster Church, 505 10th Street E in Saskatoon.

Here are nine great reasons why you might like to include this event in your plans this weekend. (more…)

Artists’ Workshop Spring Show & Sale Coming Soon

April 7, 2023

In just two weeks, our Artists’ Workshop group will throw open the doors and share an enthusiastic welcome to our Spring Show & Sale.  This is your personal invitation to join us to enjoy all of the brand-new original works we’ve been creating.

The event will be held at Grace Westminster Church (505 10th St E in Saskatoon) on Friday, April 21 (5-8), Saturday, April 22 (10-4) and Sunday, April 23 (12-4).

‘Viewpoints’ is the theme of this year’s show. We celebrate the many different paths that have led us to our work, the variations in what inspires each of us, and the individual ways that viewers and collectors experience what we create.

Unique to the 2023 show will be a set of works expressing our nine different interpretations of the color palette featured in our show logo.  (more…)

Rediscovered: A Passion For Facilitation

February 15, 2023

Recently, I’ve focused more on art than speaking. However, my experience last week reminded me of how much I love working with groups, too.

I facilitated a half day retreat titled, Cultivating Collegial Connections, for the staff and leadership of the Legislative Assembly Service with the Saskatchewan government.

Like many groups, the distancing they experienced during the pandemic strained that sense of connectedness. Partner a couple of years of remote working with retirements, new hires, and changes in roles means that it can be a real challenge to maintain existing relationships and establish new ones.

The session that I designed focused on… (more…)

The Power Of A Pic

January 15, 2023

Perched on the corner coffee table in our living room is a digital photo frame.

It only comes out to play in December and it’s tucked away again in January.

Loaded on its SD card are 500 family Christmas photos spanning two decades. The frame is set to just keep cycling through the images over and over again.

Sprinkled through the collection, you’ll find the odd attempt at a ‘formal’ group photo, but most of the images are candid shots that capture the spirit of our holiday times.

You’ll see Christmas ornaments, trees, lights and decorations, tables set for brunch and dinner, and baking fresh out of the oven. But even more importantly… (more…)

Releasing Blue Sky Series Starting Tomorrow

December 8, 2022

NEW WORKS! To celebrate the season, I’m releasing the Blue Sky Series featuring winter scenes and deep blue skies.

There are nine paintings in this limited edition collection.

Starting December 9th, one painting will be released each day at 9:00 am CST for nine consecutive days.

I won’t be posting each release on this blog every day, but you can find and follow them on my FB and IG accounts or on the blog at my Pauseworks Studio website.

Each 6” x 6” original painting is created with ink, watercolor and gouache on archival paper, and will be mounted on a black mat board 8” x 8” in size – ready for framing.

Priced at $75 each (including shipping and taxes), these treasures will go to the first person who requests each one by email message to pat@patkatzart.com.

Whether you pick one up for yourself or to gift someone else, I hope these images from the Blue Sky series brighten your wintry days.

On Writing

September 22, 2022

It’s been a while since I published a piece on this Pause blog. That surprises me.

I’ve written my entire life. Publishing a weekly message was part of my business for 25 years. That practice served me and the business, and I like to think my clients and followers, well.

When I stopped penning the weekly Pause ezine and blog at the start of 2021, I thought the writing would still continue as organically as it had in my early days when I could not not write! Not so, as it turns out.

Take away the commitment to and expectation of publishing a weekly message, and apparently, I’m no longer as devoted to putting pen to paper or fingers to keyboard. Who knew that’s how it would be? Not me.

Oh, I’m still noticing in much the same way I have all my life – things, experiences, ideas, and more. And I’m still writing – but mainly in my head – as in ‘here’s what I think or what I’d say about that’.

Mostly that form of ‘talking to myself’ feels like a sufficient expression. The second step of getting the ideas down on paper seems somehow less essential. (more…)