Sarah is an artist based in Harpenden. Evoking atmosphere and space through subtleties of colour and tone, her paintings explore feelings and thoughts. Working mainly in oils, she is led by an intuitive response to her materials, love of colour and music, and her surroundings.

 

My paintings are images of my experiences, thoughts, and feelings. I am interested in how the tactile and visceral qualities of paint can express the intangible and create atmosphere through touch, symbols, marks, and hues. Music, which needs no lyrics to create atmosphere and convey emotions and meaning, is an important influence. With my love of music and training as a classical musician this means I have a strong sense for the parallels that exist between music and painting.

I am led by an intuitive response to my materials and colour, combined with a conscious introspection drawing on experiences and memories. I am drawn to transitory moments and changes in colour and light, to nature and the passing of the seasons, and to objects that contain a connection to the past or show a patina of shifting marks and colour. These resonate and hold a sense of something that is greater than me, and trigger thoughts and emotions.

I love the physicality of oil paint; it’s depth of colour and malleability and oil sticks allow me to bridge the gap between painting and drawing. I naturally work quickly, drawing gesturally but I crave quietness, restraint, and a sense of space. Therefore, there is always a constant push and pull between order and chaos, with subtracting and lengthy editing as important as adding. This process allows me to find a sense of balance and a resonant image.