Golden girl returns home

St. Tammany News

Artist Sarah Dunn's work synonymous with Kandinsky Meets the Blues

On March 10, a native of Covington became an investor in her hometown when she opened shop in downtown Covington during the Spring For Art celebration.

Artist Sarah Dunn, 25, is back in town after a few years of traveling and study to bring her unique, upbeat style of artwork to the Northshore, coupled with art classes - taught by the artist herself.

Dunn can be found painting and teaching art in a funky studio-loft, just a half-block from St. John's coffee House in downtown Covington.

When Dunn isn't painting for her own enjoyment, she's teaching the craft. The classes, she said, are about teaching the basics of acrylics. She keeps class sizes to a minimum, small enough that each student can complete two paintings.

Her first students were a mother and daughter duo.

"They both had very different, but neat styles," she said.

Dunn felt she accomplished her goal of lighting the artistic spark in her students by the end of the first class.

"It made me feel really good," Dunn said.

Just prior to opening Sarah Dunn Art, the stylish blonde, whose looks command attention wherever she goes, was invited to exhibit her works at upscale galleries like Ariodante in New Orleans, Giola in Chicago, Chelsea Gallery in New York and, of course, the Ven Norman Studio in Covington, owned by Sally Dunn, Sarah's mother.

Dunn said she feels her career catapulted upward when she was chosen as cover artist for the regionally popular "Roux to Doux" cookbook, published by the Greater Covington Junior League. She continues to be a favorite artist of the League as, this year, she garnered the commission to create the official 2007 poster for the October Harvest Cup Polo Classic, an assignment coveted by local artists.

At Sarah Dunn Art, 609 E. Boston St., the artist has created a working studio. Her artistic style mirrors the embodiment of the artist herself - both refined and upbeat.

"It's about happy feelings," she said of her style. "I'm inspired a lot by music, being around this city and New Orleans - when the rhythm changes, my inspiration changes with it."

Hence, the lyrical feel of a Sarah Dunn painting. Viewers would agree, there's no staid response to the artist's work. It's vibrant, full of motion.

"It's been described as Kandinsky Meets the Blues," Dunn said of Vasily Kandinsky's works.

In years past, Dunn described her art as a reminder of "the vague images you wake up with from dreams you've had... it's hard to remember the exact surroundings and pictures that you've seen."

One might apply the description to her work today; just add a gallon of whimsy.

Dunn's art classes are titled, "Beyond the Brush: The Diverse Universe of Acrylics. Students will learn where to look for inspiration, how to manifest an idea onto canvas, and what their personal style may be.

Classes are geared toward ages 14-16 and 17 and older on the last two Saturdays of each month. Times are 11 a.m.-3 p.m. and on the first two Wednesdays of each month from 5p.m.-9 p.m.

Two canvases and paint supplies are included in the four-hour workshop costing $125. Dunn accepts only a maximum of three students per class. Visit SarahDunnArt.com or the studio at 609 Boston St. in downtown Covington.

Call Dunn at 249-5062 for more information.