Marvin Swartz Saskatchewan Northern Landscape Painter

Ferry Paintings Gallery

The LIFE-LINES Project

Approaching south landing at the Lemsford
crossing oil/panel 6x16 inches 1998
'Life-Lines ', is my tribute to the ferrymen, the maintenace crews and their families who often placed themselves at great risk while transporting people, animals, and supplies across our rivers during the settlement of the province. During the winter, wooden planks or cages were attached to the ferry cables allowing mail, supplies and even people to be pulled across above the river until the water had frozen and ice bridges could be built.

Airman killed as plane hits Hague ferry cable
A student pilot from No.4 Service Flying
Training School was killed instantly at
7 o'clock Friday evening June 5 th 1942
when his training craft struck the main cable
of the ferry on the South Saskatchewan River
at Hague. oil/canvas 38x57 inches 1998

The ferry was also a gathering place for dances and suppers. Ferries also served as a meeting place and the source for news and local gossip. But as the population grew and the need for dependable year round transportation became a necessity, bridges were built to replace the ferries. In 1926, there were 47 ferries operating in Saskatchewan. Today, there are only 12 ferries left in operation.

Herbert Ferry in the regional park
oil/panel 8x19.5 inches 1998

I have undertaken this project, 'Life-Lines', as my Millennium Project. I am creating a series of oil paintings for exhibition as a pictorial record of the Saskatchewan River ferries, past and present.

The Fresnel, a horse operated device that was
used to pull the ferry in and out of the water.
oil/panel 8x10 inches 1998

I have spent the last two years travelling along the North and South Saskatchewan Rivers locating abandoned ferry crossings and documenting the ferry crossings currently in operation. Through provincial public archives and museums I have obtained information on the early crossings including photographs taken during the period of their construction and operation. Individuals have also come forward with artifacts and stories about their association with the ferry system.

Remains of the ferry at Empress
oil/panel 8x10 inches 1998

I welcome individuals who share my interest in the history of the river ferries to participate in this project that will inspire the people of Saskatchewan to know and appreciate their past. I hope to find an author interested in writing a complementary history. A book on the ferries of Alberta has been published but no similar document exists for Saskatchewan. In addition, I have also been collaborating with Mr. Raymond Lévesque, of Red River Media, on the development of a historical video documentary.

The Batoche ferry service began in 1873
where the Carlton Trail crossed the South
Saskatchewan River. The cable was used
by the Metis during the 1885 Riel Rebellion
to disable the Northcote steamer.
oil/canvas 20x57 inches 1998

The first series of oil paintings of the 'Life-Lines ' project, was displayed in Saskatoon at City Perks Coffee House, 801 - 7th Avenue North from October 25th until December 5th, 1998. An interview on the project was produced by Shaw TV and aired on Wednesday December 2nd 1998. Videotape copies of the interview are available for viewing and I welcome the opportunity to discuss my plans with you

Remains of the ferry at Empress
oil/panel 8x24 inches 1998

The history of the ferries in Saskatchewan,

. . . remains to be told.
Tropical Waters Gallery || Northern Lakes Gallery ||
Northern Mountain Gallery || Saskatchewan Landscapes Gallery

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Approaching south landing at the Lemsford crossing oil/panel 6x16 inches 1998	'Life-Lines ', is my tribute to the ferrymen, the maintenace crews and their families who often placed themselves at great risk while transporting people, animals, and supplies across our rivers during the settlement of the province. During the winter, wooden planks or cages were attached to the ferry cables allowing mail, supplies and even people to be pulled across above the river until the water had frozen and ice bridges could be built.
Airman killed as plane hits Hague ferry cable A student pilot from No.4 Service Flying Training School was killed instantly at 7 o'clock Friday evening June 5 th 1942 when his training craft struck the main cable of the ferry on the South Saskatchewan River at Hague. oil/canvas 38x57 inches 1998	The ferry was also a gathering place for dances and suppers. Ferries also served as a meeting place and the source for news and local gossip. But as the population grew and the need for dependable year round transportation became a necessity, bridges were built to replace the ferries. In 1926, there were 47 ferries operating in Saskatchewan. Today, there are only 12 ferries left in operation.
Herbert Ferry in the regional park oil/panel 8x19.5 inches 1998	I have undertaken this project, 'Life-Lines', as my Millennium Project. I am creating a series of oil paintings for exhibition as a pictorial record of the Saskatchewan River ferries, past and present.
The Fresnel, a horse operated device that was used to pull the ferry in and out of the water. oil/panel 8x10 inches 1998	I have spent the last two years travelling along the North and South Saskatchewan Rivers locating abandoned ferry crossings and documenting the ferry crossings currently in operation. Through provincial public archives and museums I have obtained information on the early crossings including photographs taken during the period of their construction and operation. Individuals have also come forward with artifacts and stories about their association with the ferry system.
Remains of the ferry at Empress oil/panel 8x10 inches 1998	I welcome individuals who share my interest in the history of the river ferries to participate in this project that will inspire the people of Saskatchewan to know and appreciate their past. I hope to find an author interested in writing a complementary history. A book on the ferries of Alberta has been published but no similar document exists for Saskatchewan. In addition, I have also been collaborating with Mr. Raymond Lévesque, of Red River Media, on the development of a historical video documentary.
The Batoche ferry service began in 1873 where the Carlton Trail crossed the South Saskatchewan River. The cable was used by the Metis during the 1885 Riel Rebellion to disable the Northcote steamer. oil/canvas 20x57 inches 1998	The first series of oil paintings of the 'Life-Lines ' project, was displayed in Saskatoon at City Perks Coffee House, 801 - 7th Avenue North from October 25th until December 5th, 1998. An interview on the project was produced by Shaw TV and aired on Wednesday December 2nd 1998. Videotape copies of the interview are available for viewing and I welcome the opportunity to discuss my plans with you

I have undertaken this project, 'Life-Lines', as my Millennium Project. I am creating a series of oil paintings for exhibition as a pictorial record of the Saskatchewan River ferries, past and present.

The history of the ferries in Saskatchewan, . . . remains to be told.

Tropical Waters Gallery || Northern Lakes Gallery || Northern Mountain Gallery || Saskatchewan Landscapes Gallery

The history of the ferries in Saskatchewan,

. . . remains to be told.

Tropical Waters Gallery || Northern Lakes Gallery ||
Northern Mountain Gallery || Saskatchewan Landscapes Gallery