Rigmor Clarke has been painting northern Saskatchewan landscapes for over four decades. (Submitted/Rigmor Clarke)

By Alison Sandstrom

Capturing Saskatchewan

Shell Lake artist honoured with Saskatchewan Order of Merit

Oct 19, 2020 | 5:29 PM

A Shell Lake artist has been awarded Saskatchewan’s highest honour.

Rigmor Clarke is among 10 people named as 2020 recipients of the Saskatchewan Order of Merit. Known primarily for her paintings of northern Saskatchewan landscapes, Clarke has shown her work in solo and group exhibitions across the province. She was also the driving force behind the creation of the Thickwood Hills Studio Trail, the first of its kind in Saskatchewan.

“Rigmor is an inspiration to the Saskatchewan arts community and is one of the most significant and influential artists in Prince Albert and north-central Saskatchewan,” reads Clarke’s biography on the Government of Saskatchewan’s website.

The 85-year-old artist told paNOW the award is all the more meaningful because she was nominated by fellow Shell Lake residents.

“To be recognized by your neighbours, you know, the hometown recognizes you, Saskatchewan recognizes you, it’s very rewarding,” she said. “I’m very happy.”

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Born in Sweden, Clarke and her family moved to British Columbia when she was 14.

Big Rock by Rigmor Clarke (submitted photo/Rigmor Clarke)

As an adult she eventually made her way to Saskatchewan where she was captured by the beauty of the wilderness in the northern part of the province. Its forests, lakes and Precambrian shield reminded her of her childhood in Sweden.

“When I found that again in Northern Saskatchewan I fell in love with it,” Clarke told paNOW, explaining it was a two-week canoe trip with a friend on the Churchill River where everything came together for her.

“I realized this is where I wanted to paint,” she said.

In the four decades since, she’s done just that.

Asked to reflect on what she’s most proud of in her long career, Clarke’s wasn’t sure how to answer.

“I never thought of being proud of anything,” she explained. “I just love doing it.”

“I really appreciate Saskatchewan; it has given me a lot. It’s beautiful province and I think we should all be very proud of it.”

Island in the Bog by Rigmor Clarke (submitted photo/Rigmor Clarke)

These days, at 85, Clarke says it’s not safe for her to go out on the land on solo painting expeditions like she used to, but she still has plenty of paintings she’s working on in her studio.

She also plans to continue to work on screen-printing and clay murals — two mediums she’s begun exploring more recently.

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alison.sandstrom@jpbg.ca

On Twitter: @alisandstrom