Spotlight on...Gail Sawatzky

Gail Sawatzky's passion for painting began at an early age, and her love for texture and luminescent colour came to fruition after her first visit to Mexico.  The colours there radiated with warmth and created feelings of joy, and when she returned home, she began translating those feelings onto canvas using paint and texture.  Working with acrylics, mediums, glazes and encaustics allow her to work quickly, and embed high textural relief in her pieces.  Texture and intense colour are fundamental aspects of Gail's works. 

Gail lives in Altona, Manitoba, and the prairie landscape around her is a strong influence.

In Gail's own words, "Creating art is an endless journey full of adventure and constant learning.  What a great journey it is!"

Here are a few examples of Gail's work that have been shown at Pulse:

Spotlight on...Joanne Harris

Joanne Harris has been with Pulse Gallery for a number of years, and she continues to delight us with her breathtaking contemporary watercolors of our natural landscape.  We have taken the liberty of quoting some of Joanne's autobiographical notes on her website to highlight her generosity of spirit, and passion for her work.

My love of painting goes back as far as I can remember. I chose to stay at home with my children but once they began to attend school I quickly signed up for watercolor classes given by a local artist. I will always be grateful for the inspiration and mentoring provided to me by this first teacher. Since those early days of painting I have continued my art education attending classes and workshops presented by great national teachers. I have for the past 10 years painted watercolors full time out of my home studio.

Joanne on her home territory

My home is situated in a woodland setting just west of the city of Winnipeg . There is an abundance of natural beauty just outside my windows that allows me breathing space and inspiration for my mostly landscape and floral paintings.

I have always felt a close connection to the prairies living here all my life. My husband and I enjoy traveling the province taking photos of the ever changing beauty that lies in wait for that next painting. I have taught watercolor classes for over 12 years. I currently teach workshops and am available to art clubs and groups.

My work can be found in the collections of several Manitoba Credit Unions, the Winnipeg Foundation, and in many other private offices and homes. My watercolors have traveled around the world carried by tourists who purchase my work from Pulse Gallery at the Forks in Winnipeg where it can be viewed.

David Lauder--From Shield to Fields

Pulse Gallery is featuring David Lauder for the month of April, with the artist reception on Friday April 11 from 7-9 pm.  The gallery will be filled with David's beautiful contemporary images of Manitoba, ranging from beautiful abstract imagery to crisply focused iconic landscapes.

David Lauder is a Winnipeg-based photographer with a life-long interest in travel and landscape photography. His current portfolio of landscapes are taken primarily in Riding Mountain, Eastern Manitoba, Northwest Ontario and southwestern Manitoba.

In David’s own words, “In 2003, I became serious about photography and set out to find my place in the ‘professional’ realm … I love to make beautiful images.  I love everything from broad landscapes right down to fine details and abstractions.  And I love to share them.  What motivates me is the look on someone’s face when they see one of my images that really resonates with them.  I have a personal attachment to almost all of my images, and can remember the feeling and anticipation I had when each of my images was captures.  Hopefully, my images will create similar feelings in you.”   

We hope you can join us for the artist reception to have an opportunity to meet David, discuss his work, and see some of the beautiful work of Manitoba's talented artists.