We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Sarah Lorentz. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Sarah below.
Sarah, looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. We’d love to hear about a project that you’ve worked on that’s meant a lot to you.
I am currently working on a collection of plein air landscapes for an upcoming exhibit at the Lambert International Airport in St Louis, Missouri (scheduled spring 2024). It was a great honor to have my work selected for an exhibit; the series is one of the most meaningful projects I have worked one. The collection will showcase the vibrancy of The Great Rivers Greenway and the diverse scenery of our many public parks and, together, create a better portrait of the city than any single image.
I regularly paint at locations around St Louis and I love sharing my experience of St Louis’ beauty with others. Plein air work is done on location from direct observation, often completed “alla prima” in a single sitting. This requires a reactionary effort, wet paint layered into wet paint, responding to the work as it is created. My paintings capture not only the visual record of the scene but also the experience of the specific time it was created. These paintings are deeply personal in the sense that they are a highly subjective interpretation of the scene captured. They will offer an opportunity for visitors to experience St Louis through my eyes, represented with wonder and adoration.
Beyond the undeniable beauty and ecological benefits of the park system, the greenway represents the ideals of community, identity, and belonging. The value of these public spaces is the connection they facilitate; these spaces bring people together and enrich our city living experience. The greenways of St Louis are vital to the region and my role through this project is to deepen appreciation for our community resource and prompt a sense of stewardship for our public spaces.
Sarah, love having you share your insights with us. Before we ask you more questions, maybe you can take a moment to introduce yourself to our readers who might have missed our earlier conversations?
I was fortunate enough to study both art and psychology at the University level, finding my voice at this intersection of art and science. My work developed into two distinct disciplines as I discovered a love for figure-based studio work as well as my plein air landscape practice. In both I discovered the potential to generate meaningful dialogue about experiences, memories, hurts and healing.
For the past two years I have been full time with my art. I lead classes, sell my original work through galleries, display at fine art fairs, produce solo exhibitions, take commissions, and paint for live events.
Although I work in both landscape and figurative subject matter, my individual approach to composition, color choices, and visual simplification results in a recognizable art style. It makes me so happy when someone tells me they remember seeing my work before–knowing that my work is recognizable and appreciated confirms what I am doing. I have been so encouraged by the response I’ve been met with by the community of viewers, patrons, and jurors who have encouraged, purchased, or selected my work. Every purchase, award or commission allows me to continue my journey and grow as an artist, reaching for my next goals.
What do you find most rewarding about being a creative?
The potential to connect with people and make a difference in their lives is the biggest reward in the process. I am absolutely in love with painting, but my work doesn’t feel complete until it is seen and appreciated by other people. Art doesn’t happen in a vacuum; it needs the human element of connection to have purpose.
Looking back, are there any resources you wish you knew about earlier in your creative journey?
There are so many great resources available; I just wish I had known to look for them sooner! There are many organizations that work with artists to provide a range of services from affordable housing and healthcare, to accounting and legal services. There are emergency grants available to provide relief during financial emergencies, and many cities have arts organizations that provide funding for materials or projects through grants or other application processes.
In St Louis, the Regional Arts Commission (RAC St Louis) is one of the biggest organizations providing funding directly to artists; their funding allowed me to upgrade my art fair booth display and studio ventilation this year. Volunteer Lawyers and Accountants for Artists (VLAA) has been incredibly helpful when I needed advice. The Midwest Artist Project Services (MAPS) reviews and critiques application materials and I utilized this service when applying for the Great River Biennial Exhibition through the Contemporary Art Museum last year.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.sarahlorentz.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lorentz_sarah/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/SarahLorentzArt
- Linkedin: www.linkedin.com/in/sarah-lorentz-art
- Other: https://www.facebook.com/SarahLorentzArt/shop/
Image Credits
Sarah Lorentz Art