SARAH LORENTZ
Contemporary painter Sarah Lorentz creates energetic, striking compositions full of bold brushwork and electric color. Though the subject matter of her work ranges from scenic landscapes to evocative figures, the physicality of material and deliberate remnants of the process reveal the same confident hand behind the brush.
Sarah earned her Bachelor's of Fine Arts from Southern Illinois University and now maintains an active presence in the art scene of St Louis where she resides. She is the recipient of multiple artist grants, most recently selected by the Regional Arts Commission to fund a residency with the Montgomery Botanical Center of Miami, Florida. Her work has received numerous solo exhibits, notably, Harry Krug Gallery, Pittsburg State University; Bellwether Gallery, The Sheldon; and Lambert International Airport.
Artist Statement
This series was created over a two week residency at the Montgomery Botanical Center, a private research garden in Miami, Florida. Painted entirely ‘en plein air,’ outdoors, from direct observation, the pieces document the diversity of the garden’s impressive collection as well as the dedicated effort of the researchers and garden staff.
Living on site while painting the garden, I found myself fully immersed in the experience, riding through the 120 acre property daily until each set of trees became intimately familiar. I documented the most significant plants in the collection–rare palms, ancient cycads, and trees with significant stories or historical value–following in the tradition of botanical illustrators, closely studying the unique structures, textures, and colors of each plant. Some of the palms in the garden are now extinct in the wild; some are critically endangered. The garden has successfully restored native cycads after invasive insects nearly wiped out an island’s entire ecosystem. The success or failure of each species is interwoven in complex and often not fully known ways with the other organisms in its environment. Each species and subspecies has its own unique characteristics and strengths, some are resistant to insects or fungi, each has its own needs and lifecycles.
Over the days spent in the garden, it became a metaphor for resilience in other aspects of life. This series was, necessarily, created in the context of current events. The need to prioritize research and conservation to preserve the beauty and diversity of our natural world is a necessary and worthwhile discussion, but it parallels a conversation about protecting and strengthening our community. The beauty of the garden, the dedication of the researchers, and the fragility of our world can all inspire a personal commitment to create a safe space, preserve the most vulnerable, and cultivate an oasis.
ARTWORK
