Steve Mitts -Art of Distinction

10/10/2026

I’m so happy and honoured to have been invited to take part in Bay 1 Gallery’s annual Box and Bowl Show.
This annual holiday exhibition celebrates the beauty, skill, creativity, and craftsmanship found in handcrafted vessels and functional works from an array of artists.
While my work isn’t necessarily a vessel in the traditional sense, many of my shallow-relief sculptures present themselves in the form of boxes or constructed forms. Made from century-old reclaimed wood, each piece combines painting, sculpture, and woodworking, with the character and history of the wood becoming an important part of the work itself.
Tricia, the gallery curator, felt that these pieces would complement the diverse collection of handcrafted works in this year’s exhibition, and I’m truly honoured to have been invited to be part of it.
It’s always exciting to see how different artists approach materials, form, function, and craftsmanship, and I’m looking forward to seeing the collection come together.
Please join me for one of the opening receptions:
Friday, November 20th | 7–9 PM
Saturday, November 21st | 1–3 PM
The exhibition will continue throughout the holiday season and run until January 4th.
I hope you’ll come out, enjoy the work, and celebrate the creativity of so many talented artists. I’m very pleased to be included this year.
https://www.facebook.com/Bay1Gallery

10/03/2026

I’m putting together another calendar featuring my paintings for 2027! It’s been a wonderful year of creating and exhibiting my work, and I’m very happy to be getting this project underway again.
I’m currently getting the numbers ready for the printer, so if you or someone you know might be interested in one or two, or more, please let me know!
These calendars make wonderful Christmas gifts and offer a great way to enjoy the series I’ve been working on throughout the year. Printed in an 11 × 11-inch format, they provide plenty of room to write in your daily plans without having to squint!
They are selling for $33.00
If you’d like to reserve one, simply send me a DM, and I’ll make sure to include you in the order.
Thank you for your continued interest and support of my work. It truly means a great deal to me!

09/23/2026

Today I was able to update my website with some new inventory from my Small Measure Series. With the busyness of museum, gallery exhibitions and commissions, my smaller works have been somewhat sidelined lately, so it was nice to finally give this series some attention again.
If you have a moment, take a look at the new work. I was thrilled to see that less than 20 minutes after posting them, "Grey Stones" sold!
I love seeing the interest this series continues to receive. These smaller works may be more intimate in scale, but they still carry the same ideas, structure, and storytelling that are at the heart of my larger paintings.
Thank you, as always, for taking the time to look, follow along, and support my work. It truly means a great deal to me. You can visit the website here:
https://www.stevemitts.com

09/15/2026

This exhibit of my paintings is currently being shown at the Red Brick Common. It's a beautiful gallery that has been exhibiting my work frequently over the past 30 years. It has quite a strong place in my heart and I am proud to continue bringing new work here. The exhibit is on until the 28th of October. I will be in the gallery on the 19th of September 1-3 for Cultural Days, If it works, I would welcome a visit!

09/05/2026

Recently, I have been asked by three new galleries to have either solo exhibitions or become part of their gallery representation. It has been a busy few weeks, to say the least.
Interestingly, all three galleries made similar observations: the work is complex without being overbearing or complicated. I agree, and I think that is a difficult balance to pull off when the structure is made up of individual segments and small moments of narrative.
I thought I would share some of these close up details from a few of my favourite paintings throughout this series. Most of these are now in private collections, which makes being able to look back at them especially meaningful.
I am genuinely overwhelmed by the response from the galleries and from the patrons who have connected with this work. After spending so much time developing this series, it is incredibly rewarding to see these paintings continue their journey into new collections and spaces. Please enjoy!

09/01/2026

Every idea for a painting begins with a sketch. For me, those sketches often come from observation, things I notice myself, or perspectives shared by others.
Over the years, I have come to really value the few people I trust enough to show my work to while it is still developing. They don't necessarily criticize or suggest what I should change; they simply offer perspective. When I am deeply involved in the structure of a painting, I can sometimes become too close to it. Fresh eyes can reveal things I may have overlooked.
That has certainly been the case with this series.
What begins as a flat sketch can gradually transform through many stages into something much more sculptural. Elements are added, removed, repositioned and reconsidered until the painting becomes as much a physical object as an image.
Artists can become very focused on what they believe is working. I know I have. Learning when to hold onto an idea and when to listen to another perspective has been an important part of my growth as an artist. I haven't always been particularly good at it, my wife could certainly attest to that, but over the years I've learned to use those perspectives to my advantage.
To those who have taken the time to look, question, encourage and offer an honest opinion along the way, I am grateful.
To those who have patiently trudged through the process with me, sometimes willingly, sometimes perhaps unwittingly, but always respectfully, I simply say thank you. You can view this piece"The Green Curtain" at https://www.facebook.com/MarrowCamrose? if still available it will be going to a selected gallery in November. You can view my current exhibition in person at https://www.facebook.com/RedBrickCommon or view the work on line at https://www.stevemitts.com/copy-of-museum-catalogue

08/28/2026

I truly love the amazing environment at the Marrow Restaurant & Lounge. The management and staff are wonderful and promote my artwork so well, they encourage patrons to walk around and see what's new and around each turn. Please enjoy a visit to the Marrow and check out the work in person.

08/24/2026

“The Green Curtain” has now joined my ongoing exhibition at The Marrow in Camrose. https://www.facebook.com/MarrowCamrose? When I began developing this piece, I was thinking about how the history of an object can become part of a new story. I start each work by looking through my collection of reclaimed wood, selecting pieces whose character, shape, age, and previous life can contribute to the concept I am developing.
About a year ago, a patron gave me several ornate pieces from a headboard believed to have been fashioned in the late 1800s. They sat in my studio, waiting for the right opportunity. When I began developing the shallow-relief structure for The Green Curtain, I knew these pieces had found their place. Their age, craftsmanship, and history became another layer within the work.
For me, these paintings are not simply about reclaiming old materials. They are about bringing histories together. The wood has a story before it reaches me, and through my process I join that story with my own. What once belonged to something else is displaced, reassembled, and given a new purpose.
In many ways, this is what makes the setting at The Marrow such a natural home for my work. A historic structure has itself been given new life as an amazing dining experience. Its character, warmth, and charm create an environment that feels wonderfully connected to the layered history and materiality within my paintings.
I’m very pleased to have The Green Curtain join the other original works currently on display at The Marrow.
If you’re in Camrose, stop in, enjoy the atmosphere and dining experience, and take some time to see the paintings in person. You can see more of my work at https://www.stevemitts.com

08/18/2026

I wanted to make an amendment on a previous post. I mentioned cultural days were to be held on August 19th in Stony Plain at the Red Brick Common. This was a mistake on my part. Cultural days are to be held on September 19th. I will be at the gallery from 1-3. Sorry for the confusion, too much going on in the studio! Lol. Hope it works out to see you.

08/17/2026