Sarah Lorentz

Artist Statement

I maintain a sense of expressiveness through saturated colors and confident brushstrokes, both reminders of the process and the physicality of the material. Many of my paintings are created ‘en plein air,’ on location from direct observation, however, I am most interested in capturing the essence of the space rather than conforming strictly to realism. My choices of color relate to my own mental state as much as they relate to the local color of the scenery and the resulting painting provides a snapshot of the particular moment in time as I experienced it. Plein air appeals to me as both an intimate and accessible process.

The spaces I depict range from cultivated public parks to urban alleyways, physical representations of community and connection. I am fascinated by the overlapping of memories occurring in these shared spaces and how this shapes community identity.