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.
An all-white painting by pop artist, Robert Rauschenberg – marked sold with the proverbial red dot?
Both good guesses – but you’d be wrong.
It’s White Space – AKA yesterday’s square on my calendar. And as you can see, it was completely empty.
What it meant is that there was no place I need to go and there was no one who was expecting me to show up. I could have declared it an all-day pajama day if I were so inclined. And, in fact, I did treat myself to an afternoon nap on a rainy afternoon! (more…)
Less Than A Week To Go…
April 25, 2022
Duplex For Rent
We’re less than a week away from the opening of our Artists’ Workshop 2022 Spring Show & Sale.
It’s been a fun adventure sorting through my work from the last three years to decide what I will present in the show.
Amazingly, I’m feeling pretty much ready for the big event.
Maybe that’s a result of having had the last three years to prepare for it.
If I had to choose one word to describe the work I’ll be presenting it would be ‘varied’.
Black Fox Flowers
All of the work is watercolor – nothing has changed there. Some is watercolor with pen and some without.
Some works are on paper and others on canvas. Some are matted and framed under glass; others are presented on stretched canvas with a varnished finish or mounted on cradleboard with a waxed finish.
The inspirations are wide ranging, too.
There aren’t quite so many streetscapes as in the past – given that my travel wings have been clipped.
There are a few landscapes, a few rural scenes, quite a few florals, and a large number of still life pieces.
Rural Roots
The sizes range from 6 x 6” up to 29 x 22” (which is pretty darn big for me).
I’ve got over 40 pieces in this year’s collection.
Just a few of them are featured here.
My eight colleagues in the AW group have all been enthusiastically creating art as well.
Ravello Terra Cotta
There will be plenty of work to enjoy and make your own.
So you don’t have to go digging for them, here are the show details again.
This year’s event will be hosted at Grace Westminster Church Auditorium (505 10th Street E here in Saskatoon) on these dates at these times:
Friday, April 29, 5-8
Saturday, April 30, 10-4
Sunday, May 1, 12-4
Sure hope to see you there!
The Show Must Go On!
April 8, 2022
I just want to keep you all in the loop about developments in my world on the art front. In this case, with respect to a group of artists that I create with most Mondays.
It’s been 3 long years since our last Artists’ Workshop Spring Show (Thank you Covid!).
And as of today, it’s just 3 short weeks until our 2022 Spring Show which WILL be going ahead. Yeah!!
Our members are excited to share our fresh artwork with all of you. Read on for more details.
When it comes to appreciation, one size does not fit all, and a generic thank you falls short of the mark. This is a point that I often stress when I speak and write about how to boost the impact of appreciation and recognition.
Today, a prime example of this idea arrived in my mailbox.
For several years now, I’ve been a member of CARFAC – the association representing Canadian professional visual artists. Each year I pay my dues and in return I receive my membership card, a receipt and a letter pointing out the benefits of belonging to the association. Pretty standard and a tad ho hum.
This year, I found something extra tucked into the envelope. (more…)
Wishing You The Best Of The Season
December 30, 2021
As the calendar turns on our second year of the Covid 19 Pandemic, we know more and we’re protected some; but the virus and our understanding of it keep changing. If there was ever a time for resilience, this would be it!
With the introduction of vaccines throughout 2021, some of life’s normal activities returned. Even being able to do simple things like meeting for coffee or sharing a meal were greatly appreciated.
In our world, all but the most modest of travels were curtailed. What took on great significance for me were short visits with nearby family. I had missed them so.
In recent years, I’ve made it a practice to sum up our family’s year in photos. As you will see from the Katz Family Christmas Letter 2021 included here, we continued to find joy and pleasure in spite of the various restrictions of our times. We’re especially grateful for blessings of good health.
May this message find you well and looking forward with hope to life as it will unfold in 2022.
Warmest wishes to you all, Pat
Mining Life’s Experiences
December 10, 2021
The more attentive we are to the events of our lives, the richer the potential in mining for meaning. As I reflected on themes around my recent adventures in art, I found myself seeing more than a few of my life experiences with fresh eyes. Reflecting on some of your everyday experiences might prove rewarding for you as well.
If you’ve been following my recent posts on social media (Facebook and Instagram), you may have caught one or more of the ten brief videos vignettes in which I shared some of the experiences and inspirations that gave rise to the ‘Care For A Cuppa’ exhibition and the Café Series in general.
The series touched on all of these themes: hospitality, contribution, community, relationship, connection, contemplation, beauty and creativity.
The entire series of vignettes has now been combined into this composite video along with a selection of the paintings from the show. If you are so inclined, I invite you to grab a cuppa your favorite beverage, press play, and reflect on your own life experiences connecting with self and others over a mug of coffee or a cup of tea.
As promised in my previous blog post, I’m sharing here the video tour of my ‘Care For A Cuppa’ art exhibit showing at City Perks Coffeehouse here in Saskatoon (807 7th Ave N).
At the request of City Perks, the show has been extended another two weeks until December 15/2021. So if you are in the neighborhood and would like to see the works in person, there is still time to do that.
Hope you enjoy the images whether you see them virtually or in person.
Thanksgiving has come and gone and as I took my morning walk today, I remained thankful for all kinds of things. In particular, I noted how grateful I am to have my mind and my memories.
What prompted this line of thought was the news that beloved children’s author, Robert Munsch (I’ll Love You Forever, Mortimer, Thomas’ Snowsuit, The Paperbag Princess, and so many more modern classics) has been diagnosed with dementia. This means that eventually his many memories and the stories he has created over the years will be gone to him.
This made me sad, and it made me appreciate my own memories even more. Many of my earliest recollections involve (more…)
Are You Giving Yourself Time To Play?
September 8, 2021
I could not resist! Driving home recently from a late afternoon appointment, I cruised by the kiddies’ rides in Kinsmen Park and thought to myself, “Why not?”
It was a stellar September day – sunny, calm and warm as could be – a beautiful day for a ride.
I pulled into the parking lot, bought myself tickets and hopped on a horse. When the merry go round rolled to a stop, I took to the skies on the Ferris wheel.
I ride carousels everywhere we go on our travels, and I hadn’t been on this one yet – this year!!! I’m glad I took that little detour and a timeout to play.
When I posted these photos and reflections on my experience to my Facebook page, I was struck by the dozens of responses I received. (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.
“What’s this?” you might ask.
I just want to keep you all in the loop about developments in my world on the art front. In this case, with respect to a group of artists that I create with most Mondays.
When it comes to appreciation, one size does not fit all, and a generic thank you falls short of the mark. This is a point that I often stress when I speak and write about how to boost the impact of appreciation and recognition.
Thanksgiving has come and gone and as I took my morning walk today, I remained thankful for all kinds of things. In particular, I noted how grateful I am to have my mind and my memories.
I could not resist! Driving home recently from a late afternoon appointment, I cruised by the kiddies’ rides in Kinsmen Park and thought to myself, “Why not?”
I ride carousels everywhere we go on our travels, and I hadn’t been on this one yet – this year!!! I’m glad I took that little detour and a timeout to play.