Educational Philosophy
When an artist begins a new work, there is a great feeling of excitement about creating something new, a sense of embarking upon a journey into the numerous possibilities of expression. And while there are many technical and learned skills in the field of art, the most important tool is the artist’s imagination. I believe that successful teaching of art rests on a balance of developed skill and focused creativity.
Challenges that inevitably arise, whether on canvas or in a classroom, help a person — painter, teacher, or student — to grow and learn. Through sharing knowledge and teaching, we are given a wonderful opportunity to foster the use of a person’s imagination and to show them the power of their own uniqueness.
Challenges that inevitably arise, whether on canvas or in a classroom, help a person — painter, teacher, or student — to grow and learn. Through sharing knowledge and teaching, we are given a wonderful opportunity to foster the use of a person’s imagination and to show them the power of their own uniqueness.
BIO Artistic expression served as a grounding force throughout Sarah’s childhood in Boston, London, and New Orleans. She settled in Adams County, Pennsylvania in 1992 and became increasingly passionate about the natural beauty of the area, developing her skills as an artist while dedicating herself to the local community. Her commitment to local land use issues inspired her to organize the Earth Day Art Auction, an event supported by local artists and businesses that has raised funds for the Land Conservancy of Adams County for sixteen consecutive years. She is a founding member of the cooperative Bluebrick Gallery in Gettysburg, working with area artists and educators to showcase their work and to engage in community outreach. Sarah graduated with honors with a degree in Art Education from Shippensburg University, and is currently in her seventh year as an Art Educator for the Shippensburg Area Senior High School and the Grace B. Luhrs University Elementary School. Ties to both the community and to the landscape continue to grow, and her work reflects the sense of place she has developed in south-central Pennsylvania. ARTIST STATEMENT With my most recent body of work, I have focused on the landscape that I experience in my daily commute – from the orchards and farms of Adams County, up into the forested hills of Micheaux, and finally to the stunning expanse of the Great Valley. I find myself drawn to the unexpected colors and contrasts in moments of changing light, to the shifting transitions between day and night. Exploring new techniques and building upon concepts of light, depth, and composition, I have attempted to capture moments in time that are short-lived: the ephemeral light of a sunset on the way home, or the fading light of the autumn moon as the blue sky of morning begins to emerge. I am inspired by our natural world each day, by its constant motion and variety, and through my work I hope to express the beauty and wonder of this continual drama unfolding in the world around us. |
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