Inspired by music and lost love, Cal State Long Beach art major Sarah Moor captivates students with her vivid abstract paintings.
Moor displays her paintings in the Max L. Gatov Gallery West this week. Her paintings are a part of the Biomorphic Exhibit, which also features Erika Levy and Katie Kies.
After losing her grandma and taking a leave of absence, Moor returned to school with a new perspective on her art.
“My painting language was no longer representable,” said Moor, who recently changed her focus to abstract.
Even though the loss of her close relationship with her grandma hurts her, Moor is able take something positive from the experience.
“I see it as a gift received from a person,” Moor said. “My style opened up to express a variety of emotions.”
Utilizing abstract styles, Moor is able to create works of art that span a variety of emotions. One of her recent works, “Lost Where I Belong,” uses a song as inspiration.
“Lost Where I Belong” charts the song of the same title by Andreya Triana. Like the song, the painting exudes a relaxed and somber feeling.
Using vivid greens and deep purples to represent the soulful melodies, as well as creating sharp lines and angles to recall the energy of the static bass line, Moor successfully transforms the moody song into an oil-on-canvas work of art.
“It looks like a tree…like a weeping willow,” said Natalie Rivera, women’s gender sexual studies and German studies major. “The colors are very earthy, yet very bright.”
According to Moor, it took about 300 listens to capture the essence of the song.
“It was almost like the song was saying ‘paint me!'” Moor said. Moor’s use of vivid colors is inspired by CSULB art professor Marie Thibeault.
“Her sense of color, professionalism and passion of teaching has been really instrumental to me,” Moor said.
All three artists featured in the Biomorphic Exhibit are in Thibeault’s class, which is apparent by the bold display of colors.
“I really love all the bright colors. They give me a warm and fuzzy feeling,” said Whitney Hart, CSULB communications alumni.
Moor plans on finishing her degree in art with prospects of going on to graduate school in order to teach art as a college professor.
The Biomorphic Exhibit will be on display until Thursday. Student art gallery hours are noon to 5 p.m. on Monday and Tuesday; noon to 7 p.m. on Wednesday; and noon to 5 p.m. on Thursday.
