South Jersey Artist Feature: Andrea Sauchelli
For July, SJCA is highlighting artist Andrea Sauchelli. Sauchelli is a contemporary landscape painter based in Ocean County, New Jersey. Her art is rooted in nature and environmental preservation and conservation. Her work has been exhibited in New Jersey, New York, and Philadelphia. Sauchelli is also the Ocean County Connector for the South Jersey Cultural Alliance and works to connect artists in the county and strengthen the cultural community of South Jersey.
Can you tell us about your practice?
Sauchelli: I am inspired by the preserved woodlands in the Northeast, and through my work I respond visually to sensory stimuli while walking through these forests. As an artist with a severe hearing loss there is a direct correlation with my sensory engagement in nature and how I “listen” in my environment. By engaging with nature at a primal level, we can learn to live harmoniously within our natural surroundings.
Streamlined, 16x20, oil on canvas/framed, 2023. Image courtesy of the artist.
Can you talk about your process, especially your Pine Forests Series?
Sauchelli: Pine Forests was created after a period of time visiting the Pine Barrens of New Jersey, the Adirondacks in New York, and along Cutler Coast in Maine. During these visits I was in awe of each of these forests, not only for their beauty but for their differences in biodiversity, their rarity, their resilience, their importance. I wanted to share this beauty and energy of these woods and showcase their mysteriousness.
Multitude of quiet sound, oil on canvas, 21x21, 2023. Image courtesy of the artist.
How has South Jersey impacted your visual art practice?
Sauchelli: The Pine Barrens stretches throughout much of Southern New Jersey and has been a great source of inspiration for much of my work. I can drive one mile and walk a short distance and be surrounded by this unique ecosystem of pygmy pines and wetlands and yet feel as if I am many miles away. Living in such close proximity to the Pine Barrens has greatly impacted my understanding of the importance of protecting these habitats.
shelter, oil on canvas, 29x46in. Image courtesy of the artist.
Can you share a little about your experience working at the Ocean County Connector for SJCA?
Sauchelli: Working as the connector for Ocean County has been a wonderful experience. I have learned so much about the cultural community of South Jersey and was amazed at the abundance of art and culture that lies within these counties which in the past I was not aware of. Being a part of this supportive and growing community and being an advocate for the arts has been rewarding in and of itself.
You can view more of Sauchelli’s art on her website.
