Category Archives: Portfolio

“Looking Back, Looking Out, Looking In” – at the Humboldt Art Gallery this summer!

Looking Back, Looking Out, Looking In
Paige Mortensen and Jess Richter
July 3 – August 31, 2018
Humboldt Art Gallery – 601 Main Street, Humboldt SK
Opening Reception Thursday, July 5 at 7 p.m

WOW! Between life and art there is never a dull moment! I am excited to share the details about my summer show Looking Back, Looking Out, Looking In at the Humboldt Art Gallery! The show will be up from July 3 – August 31, 2018. You are invited to our opening reception on Thursday, July 5 at 7 p.m..

Dotting the Prairie 4 18 x 36″ Watercolour Batik ©Paige Mortensen

Looking In

My focus on architecture came about after a trip to Europe where I was fascinated by all the doors. These may have been ordinary doors and windows for those who live there, however I was looking in with all sorts of questions. Who built this? How did they do it? Who lived here originally (now)? What were/are their lives like?

Looking Out

Back in Saskatchewan we seem to do a lot of driving and I was now looking out. What I see is elevators, homesteads, barns and granaries built by the settlers and reminding us of the past. This prairie architecture takes me inward to thoughts of ancestors who came to this country, to those who lived here long before that and to how different life looks depending on which side of the window you are on.

Patched 24 x 18″ Watercolour Batik ©Paige Mortensen

Looking Back

I am excited to be sharing the gallery with Jess Richter whose intricate paper cut sculptural works are looking back at the tumultuous histories of immigrant populations in mid-twentieth century Saskatchewan, specifically her German grandparents. Using wintery fairy tale imagery and German folk influences, she explores displaced womens’ processes of rebuilding shattered lives and homes in an unfamiliar and often unwelcoming country.

Going, Going, Gone 24 x 36″ Watercolour Batik ©Paige Mortensen

Construction Zone

Speaking of architecture – we are in the midst of having our roof replaced, and skylights removed so now back to the construction zone.

So, I hope to see you in Humboldt on July 5th – or that you can plan a trip that way sometime over the summer!

In the meantime, enjoy the season!

Sun, Sand, Water…and Art

Summer is here and with it come thoughts of sun, sand, water, … and art!

By The Sandbar ©Paige Mortensen Watercolour Batik 16x16" Available at Black Spruce Gallery

By The Sandbar ©Paige Mortensen Watercolour Batik 16×16″ Available at Black Spruce Gallery

The northern Saskatchewan forest is a wonderful change from city life. I love sitting on the beach, reading, walking and enjoying the sounds of nature. My art making changes to simple sketches and experimentation just for fun and relaxation!

Nature provides lots of inspiration – but so does a visit to an art gallery.

As you head north to Christopher, Emma or Anglin Lake, Elk Ridge, Prince Albert National Park or La Ronge you will drive through Northside. There, a historic dance hall is now Northside Antiques & Collectibles…and Black Spruce Gallery.

Black Spruce Gallery – on Highway #2 at Northside, SK

The gallery has been open since 2010 and every year it gets more impressive. We stopped on the weekend and WOW – it looks fantastic! They have an amazing range of work with something for everyone. In addition to paintings you will find pottery, sculpture, jewelry and more.

Spring Birds ©Paige Mortensen Available at Black Spruce Gallery

I am honoured to be represented by Black Spruce Gallery (since 2012). I delivered some new pieces and these three “Spring Break” birds were on display immediately! When you stop at the gallery you will also see “By the Sandbar” (top) – one of my favourite places to stop as we walk.

Tall Taller Tallest ©Paige Mortensen Watercolour Batik 12x36" Available at Black Spruce Gallery

Tall Taller Tallest ©Paige Mortensen Watercolour Batik 12×36″ Available at Black Spruce Gallery

Enjoy nature … and art!

Post Show feels like a Spring Break

New Work

These last two weeks have felt like I’m on a spring break! The Artists’ Workshop Show & Sale was April 15-17th which meant some focused show preparation time leaving other things undone. I have enjoyed the change of pace and checking some of those things off of my to-do list.

I have still been working though, and these four ‘spring break’ birds are framed and ready to go! (Actually since I started this post one has already been sold!)

Four ‘Spring Break’ Birds: Listening, Cheerful, Proud and Nesting all 8×8″ Watercolour Batik ©Paige Mortensen

Spring Break Gallery Stop

One day last week I drove out to the Station Arts Centre in Rosthern to see an exhibit called “Hello In There Hello Out There”. This project was a collaboration of artists and Saskatchewan seniors. They worked together to write out stories from the seniors and then create dioramas to depict the memories. It was great to see how the Rosthern school engaged with the show with some students creating dioramas of their own and other classes coming to view and reflect on the stories.

Spring break gallery stop

As well as the visual art they have a wonderful tea room and live theatre in the summer. See the Station Arts Centre website for more information.

My next project is to create, and mail them some postcard sized art!
From June 21 – August 7th they are having a Postal Art Fundraising Exhibit. Individuals have been invited to mail them postcard sized art which will be auctioned to help keep the arts alive in Rosthern. If you are interested in participating see Postcards to the Station: a Postal Art Fundraising Exhibit. It will be fun to see what they receive!

I hope you too are enjoying a spring break!

Memories of Bouquets

Fond Farewell ©Paige Mortensen Watercolour Batik 12x24"

Fond Farewell ©Paige Mortensen Watercolour Batik 12×24″

As the saying goes, “Pictures are worth a thousand words”…and they bring back so many memories. Looking at some photos recently I came across some from a farewell party for a friend and co-worker. They brought back many memories of working with this amazing, dedicated person. Another co-worker had put together this small bouquet in an office mug reminding me of the special talents every person has. Working on this piece was a joyful opportunity to remember those connections.

Healing & Protea ©Paige Mortensen Watercolour Batik each 8×24″

These two also have memories. The daisies were a gift from family when I broke my ankle in 2014. I don’t really want to remember the broken ankle but I am always thankful for my awesome family and their support in everything. The orange flower in the second one one is a Protea (or Pin Cushion) and the arrangement includes some Eryngium and Eucalyptus. These I gave to my sister for her birthday. The vase she used was a plastic one that folds flat. Once filled with water it created some very interesting shapes and colours.

Just over a month until the Artists’ Workshop Show & Sale. Hope to see you there!

2016 aw invite sm

Mann Art Gallery’s Permanent Collection

It doesn’t happen very often but yesterday there was something very exciting in the mail. It was a letter from Jesse Campbell, Director/Curator at the Mann Art Gallery in Prince Albert, SK saying that they have purchased this piece (‘Welcome’) for their permanent collection! I am honoured and thrilled!

Welcome ©Paige Mortensen Watercolour Batik 12×18″ SOLD

As background, it is Winter Festival in Prince Albert and as part of that the Gallery has a member’s show and sale. All gallery members are invited to submit two pieces to the show so that is how this came to be there. There are many, many amazing and varied artists with work in this show so please take the time to check it out. It is up until April 2, 2016. Details can be found on the Mann Art Gallery website.

About ‘Welcome’

In 2008 we were in Bath, UK. The weather was great and we had been exploring. I remember a little shop where we watched a glass blower create beautiful pieces of art. Glass blowing is magical and mysterious…and makes the room very hot.

Shortly after we came across this sign and a very welcoming building.
02-WalcotChapelShow2008

The building is the Walcot Chapel and it was built in the late 1700’s. I loved the welcoming feel of the space, the people and the history. What stuck with me was again magical as the artist’s ‘circular art’ explored deep inner emotion in a colourful, mesmerizing show.

This is the second piece I have hanging in the show:

Beauty Behind ©Paige Mortensen Watercolour Batik 10x14" $225

I am extremely thankful to the people who chose my work for the Mann Art Gallery’s permanent collection!

Remembering and Letting Go

First Drive Memories Watercolour Batik 24 x 36″

In this, the city of bridges, we are remembering and letting go of a bridge that has been part of our identity since 1907. It was the first vehicle bridge and replaced the ferry service for connecting what were then Saskatoon, Nutana and Riversdale.

It is fondly (?) remembered by many of us as the first test of our driving skills as it seemed that all new drivers were taken across it on their very first drive. It was extremely narrow so once you made it safely across your confidence was bound to have improved. Since 2010 it has been closed to traffic and it is now being taken down to make way for a new one.

The taking down process has brought people together this winter as they came to watch the demolition. You can watch the crowds, and the explosion from the removal of two of the spans in this time-lapse taken by our son Derek (Electric Umbrella).

And the bridge came tumbling down. #yxe #?

A video posted by Electric Umbrella Images Inc. (@electricumbrella) on Jan 12, 2016 at 10:16am PST

First Drive Memories (Detail)

This is my tribute to a bridge that holds many memories for Saskatoon residents. I invite you to imagine yourself sitting on this bench and remember.

Northern Saskatchewan Fires

Raging forest fires are burning in northern Saskatchewan and at last report about 13,000 people have been evacuated. They have had to leave their homes and the relative quiet of northern living and come to big cities where many of them are living in gymnasiums full of people. Those that have stayed are fighting fires that are dangerously close to the communities. I wish them courage, strength and a safe return to their homes.

We have a cabin about an hour’s drive from the major fires but we didn’t go this weekend because even here in Saskatoon the smoke was thick enough to keep us from doing anything outside. I feel very thankful to have the choice and to be safely here in my own home.

An extra weekend at home meant more time in my studio! The fireplace is only used as a display case for pieces I have recently finished. This is what is there today:
Fireplace Display 07-05-2015

Daisies are one of the simple little things in life that make me smile and bring happy thoughts. They are blooming beautifully right now and some were sitting on my table. They just had to turn into paintings too.

In the midst of the trauma of fires and being forced from their homes I hope the evacuees can find some simple things that bring a smile to their faces too.

Wishing everyone a safe return home!

Summer is Here!

Yesterday was the first official day of summer but the robins have been around for quite a while. This spring they have been a favourite subject for my watercolour batiks. Here are two of the little ones.

Spring Pause by Paige Mortensen Watercolour Batik on Ginwashi paper 8×8″ mounted on canvas $125

Building a Nest by Paige Mortensen Watercolour Batik on Ginwashi paper 8×8″ mounted on canvas $125

Happy Summer!

Looking Back, Looking Out, Looking In Paige Mortensen and Jess Richter July 3 – August 31, 2018 Humboldt Art Gallery – 601 Main Street, Humboldt SK Opening Reception Thursday, July 5 at 7 p.m