Listen to our Spotify podcast about this article:
By Alex Clarkson
In this issue of Western Home Journal, Sun Valley galleries and artists showcase a myriad of works that stem from innate creativity, exploring universal themes of life and the environments we inhabit. The educational journeys and experiences these artists draw upon to produce their work are both expansive and fascinating. Focusing on the American West, Sun Valley galleries and artists provide an up close and personal connection while inviting observation and interest.
At Gail Severn Gallery, decades of exhibitions have culminated in a summer showcase featuring artists who address the realities of the American West, including forest fires, drought, and water issues. From a different perspective, Hemmings Gallery exhibits work by Thom Ross, an artist deeply connected to the West’s history, while Sarah Bird’s pieces evoke realism and discovery. In addition, contemporary artists Susan Hall and Sarah Davies explore the aesthetics and knowledge necessary to be an artist through their processes and interests.
Artist Sarah Davies
Fresh from her visits to museums and galleries in New York City, Sarah Davies keeps her mind sharp and informed, like many working and established artists. The process of contemplating art—from abstract pieces at the Museum of Modern Art to current exhibitions at The Metropolitan Museum of Art and The Whitney Museum of American Art—offers a diverse range of contemporary and classical works to consider. Additionally, examining how artists use foreground, background, and negative space is another area of study for Davies.
“There is not an intended emotional response to my paintings, but the intent is for the viewer to engage the imagination.”
–Sarah Davies, Artist
“In my landscape paintings, I have spent many hours looking at the delicate and the powerful in order to create an imagined world with paint. The use of the paint itself was often inspirational in works from the master’s representational subjects,” says Davies.
Davies considers the use of paint to be as important as the subject in conveying emotion. “My painting process involves adding and subtracting layers of paint, texture, and glazes,” she says. “The application of color and texture can often influence the composition itself.”
Davies captures emotion through a few beautiful details that demand attention, as they are unique, often the centerpiece of her work—a very strong color and a burst of beauty. Her paintings have a dreamlike quality due to the ample space surrounding her details, allowing viewers to appreciate them as they exist and where they are positioned in her artwork.
“ I think about what defines visual storytelling and hope that I might tell many stories in a single painting.”
–Sarah Davies, Artist
“I am always trying to understand the feeling of awe or even spirituality of ten found in the natural world that cannot be explained with words,” she says. “There is not an intended emotional response to my paintings, but the intent is for the viewer to engage the imagination.”
The result of a painting that promotes engagement on different levels comes from many hours of effort and the incorporation of hundreds of brushstrokes to create a singular, purposeful element. This process can be challenging.
“There is always a new standard of perfection for me to achieve, a new teacher to learn from,” Davies says. “One of my favorite quotes is, ‘Art still has truth—take refuge there.’ I love the idea that a work of art might be a place of retreat. I often wonder if creativity can come from working within limits.”
A takeaway from visiting museums and galleries for Davies comes from seeing all types of paintings and sculptures beyond her comfort zone. These works offer new goals for Davies, which she achieves through being in their presence. From hardedge portraits in vibrant contemporary colors to the old masters, she takes something meaningful away from all of them.
“I visit some pieces every time I’m in New York because these works pull you in and ask for thoughtful engagement. The energy of the works themselves is a wonderful thing to return to the studio with,” she says.
Like many artists, Davies must fully engage in her creative process to produce a finished work of art. This may involve stepping away from the work and returning to it later, a practice she says occurs frequently in her studio. Working on many pieces at once often informs Davies’ work and provides solutions for other unresolved pieces. In addition, allowing space for viewers to create their own stories from her art is an intentional part of her process, though it is not always easy.
“I think about what defines visual storytelling and hope I might tell many stories in a single painting,” says Davies.
“The time I spend in museums and galleries looking at work, studying a technique, trying a new texture or color, keeps moving my work forward. It’s easy to get stuck in a genre and not push your work forward. Change keeps the practice alive.”
–Sarah Davies, Artist
Taking refuge in a painting is a goal Sarah Davies hopes to provide for anyone who sees her work. It is empowering to her. The way a viewer enters or experiences a painting is personal. But Davies provides the entrance and path and when it is followed and enjoyed, this brings her joy, as it confirms that she has fulfilled the intent.
“In my landscape paintings, I have spent hours observing the delicate and the powerful to create an imagined world,” she shares. “This imagined world is one I always strive to change and perfect.”
She adds, “The time I spend in museums and galleries looking at work, studying a technique, trying a new texture or color, keeps moving my work forward. It’s easy to get stuck in a genre and not push your work forward. Change keeps the practice alive.”
Learn More About Sarah Davies:
whj FEATURE
