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 20th, 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 15th, 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!
Artists’ Workshop 2024 Spring Show & Sale – April 26-28
April 19, 2024
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 10th 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…)
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…)
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…)
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.
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…)