Utah artist Sarah Anne Wilson captures the fleeting beauty of light and landscape through plein air painting, inspired by her art education and natural surroundings.
Art education: I studied art at Brigham Young University, where I earned a B.A. in Art Education. Since then, I’ve taken workshops with several outstanding Utah landscape artists whose guidance has been invaluable in my artistic development, including Charity Anderson, Tristen Leach, Jane Anne Woodhead, Ellie Wilson, David Dibble, and Joshua Clare.
Favorite subjects: I’m enamored by the beauty and rich geological diversity of my Utah home. The desert’s intriguing shapes, abstractions, and vibrant, rich color variety, along with the grandeur of mountains, are especially compelling to me. I’m particularly captivated by the interplay of light and how it transforms these dramatic environments throughout the day. The ephemeral nature of light and atmosphere is a central theme in my work. I strive to capture fleeting moments and the emotions evoked by specific places in time. My goal is for my paintings to be transportive, inviting viewers to share in the awe and beauty I experience while I’m on location.
Aha moment: During my formal art education, I was repeatedly told that “value is key,” but I didn’t fully grasp its significance until I attended David Dibble’s workshop. He emphasized the importance of establishing a clear and simple value structure, which was further illuminated by the book David recommended, Graphic L.A. by Rob Ruppel. It beautifully illustrated how a scene’s essence can be conveyed using just two or three values.
When I’m out in the field, it’s easy to be distracted by vibrant colors and a mess of intricacy, but I try to discipline myself and pick my subject purely based on interesting value structure and shapes, and more often than not, it results in a great painting.
What I would do for a living if I wasn’t an artist: Initially, I considered a career in civil engineering, but after having my spirit drained by a few undergraduate prerequisites, I quickly realized my true passion was art. But I’m also interested in geology, astronomy, and wildlife biology, so I could picture myself in a natural sciences career as well.
Favorite artists: I admire the works of Maynard Dixon for his abstraction, design, and storytelling ability; Glenn Dean for his color harmony, dramatic light, composition, and compelling narratives; Claude Monet, for his mastery of color and use of juxtaposed hues to create light and vibrancy; Joaquín Sorolla, for his brushwork and profound understanding of light; and Edgar Payne, for his surface texture and brushwork, along with his compositional skills.
The advice I wish I had received earlier in my painting career: Building relationships is the best way to achieve success in anything, be that an art career or just a fulfilling, happy life. Your most important and valuable assets are the connections you create and friends you make.
What’s next: I was helped along in my career by artists generously willing to share their time, knowledge, and process and I want to pay it forward, so I’ve started to host workshops. I received my degree in Art Education so it is really fulfilling to get back to my roots in teaching.
For the past couple of years I’ve had a lot of fun using my plein air abilities to do live wedding paintings. I go to the ceremony or reception and paint the bride and groom in a picturesque outdoor venue, turning their wedding day into a work of art.
Connect with the artist at sarahanneart.com.
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Don’t miss your opportunity to create lifetime memories at PACE! The next Plein Air Convention & Expo is May 14-18, 2026 in The Ozarks. All training sessions are indoors on giant, high-def screens, with plein air paint-outs in the afternoons. Beginners and pros feel right at home, so register now to join us!
