ABOVE: Motatapu River, Wānaka. Acrylic on Board, 900x600mm

BALANCED HAPPINESS

Born and bred in Germany, Sarah Freiburger has always loved painting and drawing and spent much of her free time sketching and creating. “Throughout my life, I’ve been fortunate to be surrounded by encouraging people – whether family, friends, or my partner. I believe that positive influences create confidence and the ability to take risks and explore new ideas.”

Sarah attended a secondary school in Germany that had an art focus. Here she had the privilege of learning from a talented art teacher and sculptor. “His guidance pushed me to improve and challenge myself, even though I wasn’t one of his top students. I learned the foundations of art history and past artists and their styles. I was always drawn to painters of the Renaissance and was in awe when I first visited Rome. I was also deeply inspired by the Romantic painters, especially Caspar David Friedrich, whose mythical and moody landscapes captivated me.”

Sarah trained as a primary school teacher in Germany before moving to New Zealand to be with her Kiwi partner. “I currently teach part-time in Dunedin, but my primary focus has gradually shifted toward building my own small art business. While balancing two jobs can be challenging, I’ve managed to make it work so far, and I’m excited about where my art will take me.”

She admires a great deal of artists, but feels as if she’s only scratching the surface. “At the moment I am getting to know the local art scene in Dunedin and the surrounding area. It is fascinating how many amazing artists are out there. Although I often admire paintings with intricate detail and precision, I am also drawn to impressionistic artworks. In particular, the ability to capture light accurately has always fascinated me, no matter what subject.”

The opportunity to create, invent and dream is what Sarah loves about being an artist: “It’s a time for solitude and a chance to push myself. I find the most challenging paintings – the ones that don’t come easily – are the most rewarding in the end. While they might not always be the best compared to the pieces that flow more naturally, they often contain a new element or a different approach that I’ve attempted.”

She really wants more recognition in the art world as it would enhance her art business. “Being able to make a living from my art has been a goal for years, but I’ve learned to be patient with that. As long as I can keep creating, I’m content. I enjoy the balance of social interaction at school while also being able to enjoy the peaceful time I get to spend painting at home without the constant pressure of needing to sell.”

A mural at the school where she works was her first outdoor mural. “The mural measures 16 square meters and features an underwater scene, showcasing plants and animals native to a healthy Dunedin harbour. I learnt a lot and had fun doing this. The kids at school were so excited about it. That was pretty special.”

She keeps current and participates with National art competitions and is aiming to hold more workshops soon. Earlier this year, she held a solo exhibition as a fundraiser for the school she works at. Another solo show, in November 2025 will be held at the Otago Art Society from 17 – 30 November. “I find solo shows satisfying because they allow me to see my progress firsthand, with a whole series of works on display together. What is also pretty special to me is winning a People’s Choice award. It is a great feeling to know many people have connected with my work and appreciated the effort I put into it.”

Her favourite subject is forest scenes and water, but she has also explored still-life paintings, enjoying the detail of doilies, fruit and pearls. “I mostly paint with acrylics. The short drying time helps me to paint in thin layers more quickly. The downside is that it takes longer to create vast open skies or just any large paint surface that needs lots of blending. Sometimes I work in watercolour or oil, especially for quick, plein-air studies.”

If she is painting a large painting with lots of blending, then her blending brush is her favourite tool. If she is working with fine details, then her glasses are her most valuable asset. She is also fond of her new convertible ‘Mabef’ easel.

“For my still-life paintings, I start by looking at shape, composition and light. I have little ‘photo shoots’ with the fruit and then decide what works for a painting and what I need to still change or tweak. For most of my bigger landscapes I often start with thumbnail sketches and little colour and value studies. Most of my bigger landscapes are painted on home-made marine plywood boards. It takes some effort to get the boards ready for painting but they are light and do not warp. For my smaller still-life paintings I usually buy pre-made boards. I start by applying a wood sealer (back and front) before the gesso layers go on. Then the painting can begin.

“I often tone the surface before starting and then apply my design with paint onto the surface. I usually work on the painting as a whole, not just one area at a time. However, in my detailing phase I spend more time in one area before I move on to the next. I work in thin layers and the more layers are added the more medium I often use in order to create translucency in some parts. The final glazes hold only very little paint. The last painting step is going over the highlights again to bring them out more.

“A few days after the painting is complete I apply an isolation coat to unite all the different sheens. As the final step I apply a UV-protective varnish and have the painting ready to be hung on the wall.”

When she is painting, she likes to listen to audiobooks in German or English, painting podcasts or music. “If I really have to think while painting it’s also nice to just paint in silence, as I don’t really hear what is happening around me anyway.”

Sarah has work in the Moray Gallery in Dunedin, The Artist’s Room and often exhibits at the Otago Art Society. She also exhibits some of her works on her website: www.sarahfeiburger.com Her sold works have ended up in New Zealand, Australia, USA, Canada, Germany and Belgium.

For new artists, Sarah says: “Be patient, keep learning and enjoy what you are doing.”