Norquay Co.5/22/18: Toronto-based artist, adventurist and avid canoeist Natasha Wittke makes the most amazing painted canoe paddles. She carves them from locally-sourced solid cherry, then paints them with a seemingly-infinite range of colors and clean, graphic shapes. They feel fresh and sharp and genuinely beautiful in their simplicity.

There are two varieties – the lightweight, purely decorative kind, and the functional, water-ready kind. And unlike most of the artists whose work I profile, I think I’m actually going to have to buy one of these babies when we (eventually) get back to our little house on the water.

Her company is called Norquay Co., and in addition to gorgeous paddles, they have also teamed up with Abitibi & Co. to make a small number of limited edition designer canoes.

“Norquay Co. was named after a tiny island, nested in the cool waters of Lake Huron, where my first solo camping trip took place. Following that experience, I set out on a month-long, 600km canoe trip through the northern-most point of Ontario along the Missinaibi River up to Moosenee, where I spent so much time with a paddle in my hand I suppose it was inevitable I would make it my canvas one day.” – Natasha Wittke

You can purchase Norquay’s delicious paddles and exceptional canoes on their website.

All images property of Norquay Co.