New passion for pastels inspires artist

Since she graduated college in 1958, Sarah Brown has used her artistic talent professionally and personally.

Brown, a Rochester resident, worked as a fashion illustrator until the 1990s for department stores such as Ann & Hope, Jordan Marsh, and others. More recently, she’s been painting furniture with decorative patterns to sell.

But lately, she’s been focused on pastels and the vivid colors they provide.

Her most recent work, which is now on display at the Marion Art Center, is focused on nature, specifically where water, land, and light collide.

She chose artwork to fit the center’s exhibit theme, “Birds, Beaches, & Bogs II.”

Brown finds landscapes to paint during her travels around town and more exotic locales. One of her exhibit paintings features a Jamaican beach. Others depict sights familiar to residents such as Silvershell Beach, Planting Island and white eagle bog, all in Marion.

The latter painting titled “Spring Bog” contrasts the warm, rust-red tones of the bog grass against a blue-green stream.

“I love the colors of pastel,” she said. “There are hard pastels and soft pastels. Soft pastels are where you can find exciting colors.”

Four years ago, Brown took a pastel class at the Art Center where she is a long time member.

Before, she had been using watercolor. She still paints with watercolor, but is enjoying the differences between the mediums.

“With watercolors you get one chance to get the painting right,” she said. Although, she explained, there are opportunities to use a layering technique in watercolor, which is similar to how pastels are used.

For inspiration, Brown is never far from a camera. When a landscape grabs her attention, she’ll photograph it and use the image as a reference when painting.

Brown, who teaches private watercolor lessons out of her home, also has works on display at Gallery 65 on William, located in New Bedford.

In her family, Brown isn’t the only one with artistic tendencies. Her son is a video artist who works to properly light independent films and commercials while her daughter is a graphic designer. Also, her husband is an architect.

Though her work is on display, Brown said she’s already trying to figure out what to paint for the upcoming members show at the Art Center.

“I just love painting. I think about it all the time,” she said.

Brown’s work, along with other local artists, can be viewed at the Marion Art Center now until Aug. 17.