Winkler’s process begins with what she describes as “disposable experiments.” Ink and acrylic are manipulated on Mylar and Duralar surfaces with alcohol and solvents to simulate the natural patterns she observes in the environment. She pushes her medium to the limit, translating the spontaneity of paint into the processes and effects of erosion, accretion and reflection. These patterns are then scanned into the computer and printed as special paper, which she collages on small panels to build the composition. Once the landscape’s design is finalized, she draws it onto large-scale wood panels and hand paints each section individually.The Western landscape and its grand vistas of mountains, mesas, and rock formations serve as her primary content, but she also looks further afield to European environments. Current work explores the landscapes of Colorado, Utah, Wyoming, Italy, and Iceland.

A recent trip to view totality during the Great American Solar Eclipse in Wyoming serves as the subject matter for her latest body of work. Based on her perception of color during the moment of totality, these mostly black and white monochromatic Wyoming landscapes are infused with flashes of color, including yellows, pale blues and greens, browns, and soft pinks.  Winkler challenged herself to create depth and warmth in the textures and color palette of each piece. “From the eclipse I learned how to desaturate, but the color is still there,” she says. “I use a million grays, mixing up or down. ” Bold contrasts of light and dark shapes are balanced by the subtle hues within her multitude of grays.

Nestled in a stunning mountain valley near Morrison, CO, Winkler’s home studio overlooks the same grand vistas that inspire her work. An avid hiker, she exhibits throughout the Western United States. Gallery MAR is proud to feature Sarah Winkler’s latest series: Great American Solar Eclipse paintings in three stages- first contact, totality, and third contact.