Sara Wiens

Sara’s work is an exploration of light, colour, and movement inspired by her local environment.  Each year she travels throughout the province of British Columbia, taking photographs and making sketches of various locations.  Light coming through the leaves of trees, rocks at the water’s edge, and salmon swimming near the river’s surface are each from specific locations, but are abstracted to be ubiquitous. As the viewer is drawn into contemplation via the surface of the painting, larger themes emerge of conservation and appreciation for the created environment.Working from photographs, sketches or even scientific graphs, Sara paints with layers that abstract the reference through mark making and rhythmic brushstrokes.  Beginning with layers of drawing materials and acrylic paint, Sara’s work is repeatedly overlayed with marks and soft, vibrant colours, which may stand alone or be finished with lush oil paints.  The final result is an energetic piece which conveys the vitality of the subject. The artist’s intention is to express both the wonder and meditative experience of nature and to engender a love of the natural world that cuts through the noise of data.Growing up on the West Coast of Canada embedded the power and beauty of the ocean, mountains, and forest in Sara’s being.  After receiving her Bachelor of Arts in Studio Art and Bachelor of Art Education from UBC Vancouver, Sara moved to the beautiful city of Salmon Arm in the North Shuswap. Since then she has shown her work in various small group and solo shows in galleries throughout the province. Sara’s work can be found in private collections throughout North America and in international publications. Her contributions to her community include many years teaching art at the Heartwood Learning Community and collaborating on public mural projects in 2020 and 2023.  Sara is currently represented by Gallery Odin at Silverstar Mountain Resort, British Columbia.