Lakeside Keepsake

About Lakeside Keepsake

This abstract painting of a lake was rendered in minimalist form by Pat Service.

Renowned as one of Canada’s finest landscape artists, the decades-long career of Pat Service has witnessed many innovations. From more traditional or classic works, Service has also embraced a more minimalist aesthetic. This is one of a series of abstract paintings she created while attending the famed professional artist workshops at Emma Lake in Alberta. Inspired, as always by the beauty of the natural world, Service’s lakeside series expressed her interpretation of the lake—this time at night.
A rich verdigris background achieved by carefully layering glazes produces a peaceful setting for both lake and sky. The canvas is divided with a simple band of brown representing land. Bright dabs of paint in blue, red, and lime green pop from the neutral background to illuminate a canoe, a sail, and a moon. The overall effect accomplishes a serene mood.

" There is a moment of peaceful silence enriched by stillness as evening approaches.” Pat Service

“Like Cezanne, she is able to describe an object with one simple brush stroke and her strokes are some of the most intriguing: soft but rough, energetic yet still.” Anya Georgijevic, artist and curator

Pat Service acquired a Bachelor of Arts degree from the University of B.C. and later studied art at the Glasgow School of Art in Scotland. Service’s work is held in private collections in North America, Britain, Taiwan, Japan, Singapore, and Hong Kong.

Pat Service is represented exclusively by the Oeno Gallery.