Tag Archives: events

October brings a group show at Hues, a show at Brainsport and more

First, Thank-you. For reading my messages, for coming to my events, for purchasing my art and for being so supportive. I appreciate all of you!

Moose Jaw Pedestrian Bridge 18 x 36″ Watercolour Batik ©Paige Mortensen $850

Artists’ Workshop Exhibition at Hues Art Supply

The Artists’ Workshop Group that I am part of is having a group show at Hues Art Supply – 1818 Lorne Avenue, Saskatoon. It will be up for the month of October.

Stop by anytime the store is open and/or come to the reception:

Hues Art Supply – 1818 Lorne Avenue, Saskatoon

Saturday, October 13th from 2 – 4 pm

It would be great to see you there!

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Brainsport – 616 – 10th Street E., Saskatoon, SK
Did you know they have a gallery in the lobby?

They do, and work from my Stories Inside Series will be there from

October 3 – 31, 2018!

Stories Inside Series ©Paige Mortensen – each is 24 x 18″

Please stop by and have a look!

Brainsport is a great community supporter so stop in and support them too!

Watch for another big announcement coming to your email soon!

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September will always seem like the start of a new year – and this one has lots happening!

Looking Back, Looking Out, Looking In

Friday, August 31 is the last day to see“Looking Back, Looking Out, Looking In” at the Humboldt Art Gallery. This was a two person show with work by Jess Richter along with my watercolour batiks. Saturday we go to dismantle it. Thanks to the Humboldt Gallery for being great to work with and to everyone who has been to see it!

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

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Art friends with beautiful back yards have provided several fabulous sketching opportunities over the summer!

Now, September is just around the corner and
I have so much news to share!
See below for more details about:

Mentorship Program

New Shows

Soon to be Released –
Online Watercolour Batik Class

I have been selected for an Exciting Mentorship Program!

I am honoured to have been accepted as a mentee in the CARFAC mentorship program. My mentor will be Paula Cooley and I am very excited to see what the year will bring!

This 10 month mentorship program includes support from a mentor, group meetings, studio visits, critiques and will be a major creative boost!

Fall Showtime round #1 … More about the rest next time

Art Now Saskatchewan Fine Art Fair

Many Saskatchewan Galleries will have booths at this amazing show. It started 3 years ago in Saskatoon, was in Regina last year and is back in Saskatoon. It keeps getting better!

You will find my work in the Saskatchewan Craft Council‘s area! This is 1 of 4 bridges that they selected in the jury process.

PA Train Bridge 18 x 36″ Watercolour Batik ©Paige Mortensen

Station Arts Centre – Rosthern – Birds of a Feather

1 of 2 pieces I have contributed:

Click Clack Cluck 12 x 24″ Watercolour Batik ©Paige Mortensen

The Station Arts Centre in Rosthern has a lovely gallery and tea room and the group show “Birds of a Feather” will be up for the month of September. They are open Tuesday – Saturday 9 am – 4 pm (closed Sunday and Monday).

There will be a closing reception on Saturday, September 29th from 7 – 9 pm.

Humboldt Art Gallery Members’ Show

1 of 2 pieces I have contributed:

Pure & Simple ©Paige Mortensen Watercolour Batik 24 x 8" $425

Pure & Simple 8 x 24″ Watercolour Batik ©Paige Mortensen

This is the 3rd year for this show and the 3rd time I have participated. It is a great gallery so worth the drive. The Humboldt Art Gallery is open Tuesday – Saturday 1 – 5 pm.

There will be a reception on Saturday, Sept 22 from 2 – 4 pm.

Releasing my Online Watercolour Batik Class

With special thanks to my video editing husband and photography pro son I am soon going to be releasing a full online watercolour batik class – Discover Watercolour Batik. Everything you need to know to create your own beautiful watercolour batiks! Over 3 hours of video instruction that you can follow along with. I am excited to see what others create!

For a sneak peak you can register for this free one – Introduction to Watercolour Batik – which will give you a quick overview of my process – for collectors or curious artists!

Have a great start to the fall season!

“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!

Artists’ Workshop Open Studio show and sale – Monday, Nov 27th from 11 a.m. – 9 p.m.

You are invited to our

Open Studio Show and Sale

Monday, November 27th from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m.

Grace Westminster Church Auditorium
505 – 10th Street East Saskatoon, SK

Every Monday from September through April I meet with a group of artists for a full day of creating and art-making in the auditorium at Grace Westminster Church. Please drop by our open studio to see how we work as well as what we have created.

I will have many of my small watercolour batiks, perfect for gift giving! Other artists work in a variety of media so there will be acrylics, oils, watercolours, pen and ink, mixed media. Something for every taste!

Artists’ Workshop Open Studio

Sketching in Artists’ Workshop member’s the back yards, driving around Saskatchewan, travel to other parts of our country; all provide inspiration. On our travels I stopped at the Japanese Paper Place in Toronto to learn more about the origins of the Ginwashi paper that I use for my watercolour batiks. Unexpectedly, the stop provided a different kind of inspiration – shape. This change in shape started me thinking about composition in new ways and I have created a collection of 2 x 14” pieces perfect for small spaces.

@Paige Mortensen 14×2″ pieces in folding hangers

Paige Mortensen 14×2″ pieces on wood panel

I also discovered some tiny clips and a new way of mounting that highlights the journey my pieces take in their creation. All of this reminding me to be on the lookout for inspiration everywhere.

Yellow Flowers ©Paige Mortensen in 7 x 5″ Shadow Box frames

See you on Monday the 27th!

Portals opens at the Mann Art Gallery with Reception on Friday, May 26th at 7 p.m.

Portals

I am excited to share that my show, Portals, opens this Friday, May 26th, 2017 at the Mann Art Gallery in Prince Albert with a reception at 7 p.m.!

It would be great to see you there but if that doesn’t work for you the show is up until July 4th so hopefully you can stop in sometime before then.

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We have been fortunate to have been to Europe a couple of times and I found myself drawn to the doors and windows. The big tourist destinations are spectacular and yet I was more interested in the architecture and homes of the ordinary people. These buildings were built centuries ago, before all the tools of today. I found myself asking questions like:

Who built this?
How?
Who lived here then?
What were their lives like?
Who lives here now?

Stories Inside XII ©Paige Mortensen Watercolour 18x24" $700

Stories Inside XII ©Paige Mortensen Watercolour Batik 18×24″

I came home with a mass of reference material and this series began. The series was originally called Stories Inside because of all the questions I had about the stories of the people who built and lived behind these doors.

Stories Inside IV ©Paige Mortensen Watercolour 15x15" $350

Stories Inside IV ©Paige Mortensen Watercolour Batik 15×15″

Lately we seem to be doing a lot of driving and I have been paying more attention to some of our own prairie architecture. The grain elevators and barns could not have been easy to build without today’s equipment either. So my work has been moving closer to home. And I ask the same questions about my more recent ancestors.

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©Paige Mortensen – Memories of Grandpa … Gull Lake Elevator

All of these are Portals. Doors and windows that remind us to be curious and hopefully connect us to different times and places.

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Black Spruce Gallery

I’d also like to invite you to drive about 1/2 hour north of Prince Albert to Northside where you will find Black Spruce Gallery and more of my watercolour batiks. It shares a building with an antiques store so you are bound to find all sorts of interesting treasures. I was just there and the gallery looks fantastic!

Humble Greeting ©Paige Mortensen Watercolour Batik 12×18″

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I hope you can include some art in your early summer plans!

ArtsQuest.ca Visits my Studio

ArtsQuest.ca comes for a Studio Visit

In August, Corinne and Gary of ArtsQuest came for a studio visit. As it says on their website they are “traveling Canada, building the premier online Canadian arts marketplace.” I am honoured that they chose to visit me. The were obviously curious about my watercolour batik process and interested in my life as an artist. I look forward to connecting with Corinne and Gary again soon. Here they are with their trusted van “Arty”.

For now they are posting interviews of artists they meet on their travels. I am not fond of looking at video of me – or of listening to myself talk. Corinne & Gary did a great job putting this together though so I do hope you will have a look. Here is a link to mine: http://artsquest.ca/2016/09/21/batik-watercolour-artist-paige-mortensen-irons-out-the-past/ While you are there check out some of the other interesting people they have met along the way!

Saskatoon Star Phoenix

Look what I found in the paper! Elevator Stop is one of my pieces featured on the guest artist wall at Handmade House until the end of September 2016.

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Handmade House can be found at 702 Broadway Avenue Saskatoon, SK.

Humboldt & District Museum and Gallery is hosting a members’ show. Several artists from Saskatoon, including myself are participating in it. I haven’t been yet but I from the pictures it looks like a great show! You can check it out until November 5, 2016.

Thanks for reading!

ART NOW: Saskatchewan Fine Art & Craft Fair

I am excited to announce that the Saskatchewan Craft Council’s selection committee chose three of my watercolour batiks to show in their booth at this ART NOW : The Saskatchewan Fine Art & Craft Fair! It is a first annual event so I am looking forward to everything it has to offer.

ART NOW The Saskatchewan Fine Art & Craft Fair

Some of the specifics:

Hours

Friday, September 16 – noon – 9 pm – FREE admission
Saturday, September 17 – 10 am – 6 pm – FREE admission
Sunday, September 18 – 10 am – 4 pm – FREE admission

VIP Opening Reception

Thursday, September 15 from 6 – 10 pm
Tickets $100 with proceeds going to the Remai Modern Art Gallery of Saskatchewan
(tickets available here)

Information Sessions (more details here)

September 16 – 1pm   Social Media for the Arts
September 17 – 1pm   The Two Sides of the Brain: Creativity in Art and Science
September 17 – 3pm   Saskatchewan Art Now
September 18 – 1pm From Here to There

Rain Rescue – a random act of kindness

With Gratitude

My Mom and sister live in the same neighbourhood as we do so the three of us often go for evening walks. I am grateful for these times to visit and check in with them. One day last week as we were walking along there was a sudden downpour. Fortunately there are lots of large trees so we took refuge under one thinking it would pass quickly. It wasn’t more than a minute later that a woman came running out with an umbrella for us! She invited us inside but we declined, still optimistic that this rain would stop as quickly as it started.

Well, we were wrong! The wind came up sending rivers of water down the street. We gave in and went to the door. She was so kind and welcoming! We are grateful for the umbrellas, the towels, the visit and the opportunity to meet her 2 month old baby! Her kindness made the adventure into a happy story!

With gratitude,

P.S. Remember to stop by Handmade House and have to see my show there!

Nearby

Station Arts Centre Postcard Fundraiser

Postcard Fundraiser

When I first heard about the Station Arts Centre Postcard Fundraiser I thought “What a fun idea”! I was out to see the exhibition and they have over 180 postcards in their silent auction! The variety is fantastic and they look great on the walls! Show dates are June 21 – August 7, 2016.

I wanted my submissions to reflect the town of Rosthern, the people who live there and Saskatchewan. The elevator is one of two still standing along the tracks through Rosthern and feels similar to elevators in many towns around the province.

PaigeMortensen - Station Arts Centre Postcard Fundraiser - SaskatchewanPostcards2

The last time I was out to the Station Arts Centre this bike was sitting outside the building. It has such a wonderful basket on the back! I don’t know the owner but it was fun for me to hear that she was excited to see her bike in the exhibition!

PaigeMortensen - Station Arts Centre Postcard Fundraiser - SaskatchewanPostcards3

And, for anyone who doesn’t know, the Prairie Lily is Saskatchewan’s flower.

The entire Postcard Fundraiser collection is posted on the Station Arts Facebook page if you are interested in seeing more. Mine are #127, 142 and 144.

Leah Dorion Exhibition

In addition to the postcards, there is an exhibit of Leah Dorion’s work called Carriers of Creation Her artist’s statement says: “This collection celebrates the energy of life and the great connectedness of all life forms in this vast creation.”

In November 2015 I heard Leah talk about her exhibition (Country Wives & Daughters of the Country: Metis Women of this Land) at the Saskatchewan Craft Council Gallery here in Saskatoon. She is expressing an important message and I was fascinated with the works.
“Until recently the role of Métis women in Canadian history remained generally unacknowledged by our collective society… This art show is a celebration of Métis women and provides contemporary representations of women’s traditional roles in historic Métis society. Recognizing our shared past is an important way to give cultural continuity, identity, and knowledge to forthcoming generations of children.” ~ Leah Dorion

I hope you can check out the exhibitions – as well as their summer theatre show – “The Moonlight Sonata of Beethoven’s Blatz”!

Sharing My Work

I am so excited to tell you about 3 opportunities November 2015 is bringing for me to share my watercolour batiks with you! I am looking forward to these events because they provide time to meet up with old friends and make some new ones!

Stories Inside XI ©Paige Mortensen Watercolour 18x24" $700

November 9, 2015 to January 9, 2016

The Circle Mall – Royal Gallery
3510 – 8th Street East
Saskatoon, Sask. S7H 0W6

This gallery is located just outside Rainbow Cinema and will be waiting for you to stop by and have a look while you are at the mall. Please let me know if you are interested in purchasing anything and I will arrange to pick it up.

This show will feature my Stories Inside series. This series was inspired by our trip to Europe in the fall of 2014. It was the doors and windows of ordinary homes that fascinated me the most. I continue to wonder what stories they have to tell. Who built them? Who lived there? Who lives there now? What were and are their lives like?

There will also be a few of my flower pictures like Tall & Sunny.

Tall & Sunny 1 ©Paige Mortensen Watercolour 12x30" $650

Mendel Farewell ©Paige Mortensen Watercolour 12x36" $625

November 13 – 14, 2015

Imagine That II at the Unitarian Centre
213 – 2nd Street East
Sasaktoon, SK

Friday 5 – 9 pm
Saturday 12 noon – 4:30 pm

Celebrating the creativity of artists from the Unitarian Congregation.
There will be wonderful harp music Friday evening!

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November 20 – 22, 2015

artists’ workshop – pre-Christmas Sale
Prairie Star Gallery
1136 – 8th Street East
Saskatoon, SK

Friday 7:00 – 9:30 pm
Saturday 10 am – 8:00 pm
Sunday 12 noon – 4:00 pm

Since September I have had the honour of spending my Monday’s painting with this wonderful group of artists. There are 11 artists in this group and we have all been working on smaller pieces so it will be a show with lots of variety. 10-artistsworkshopNov2015show

I am looking forward to sharing my work and hope to see you soon!