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I have travelled a lot throughout my career. When my daughters were younger and still living at home, I’d occasionally take them with me on the road.

I like to think it was a treat for all of us.

Sometimes they would attend an event with me. Sometimes they’d visit with nearby family or friends while I worked. And when they were older, while I was involved in a program, sometimes they’d enjoy time on their own in a new location.

I was reminded of those shared trips last week when my youngest daughter, Lindsay, asked ME to tag along with HER on an overnight business trip to Moose Jaw. (more…)

So far this spring, warm, calm, sunny days have been hard to come by here in Saskatchewan. But today delivered, so I spent a good chunk of the afternoon sketching flowers in the Pausegarden.

To celebrate the impending arrival of summer on June the 20^th, I’m offering up the six sketches I created to give you an opportunity to welcome summer to your world, too. One painting will be released each day until the first day of summer.

The original watercolor sketches are 2.5 x 3.5” in size, slipped inside a cello pouch, and mounted in a stand-up paper frame card that takes the outer dimensions to 3.5” x 5”. They are available at a sunny summer special price of $40 each (taxes and postage included). Payment by e-transfer.

Starting tomorrow, June 15^th, I’ll be posting one ‘pic of the day’ on Social media (Facebook & Instagram) around 9 am. Each painting will go to the first person to claim it by sending an email request for the ‘pic of the day’ to pat@patkatzart.com.

Good luck & happy summer to you!

In just one week, 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 10^th St E in Saskatoon) on Friday, April 26 (5-9), Saturday, April 27 (10-5) and Sunday, April 28 (11-4).

‘Creative Synergy’ is our theme for 2024. We celebrate the many ways that creating together improve our art and enhance our connections with community.

Unique to this year’s show will be a set of ten 12×12 works on canvas featuring our very different takes on life in Saskatoon. (more…)

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.

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…)

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…)

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…)

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 10^th Street E in Saskatoon.

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

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 10^th 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…)

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…)