Hunt Residencies VIII

Sarah Field Sonnenberg is a Buffalo-based oil painter whose work explores the intertwined themes of femininity, nature, and the ephemeral beauty of life. Her current series reflects on the fleeting nature of beauty, the deep connection between women and the natural world, and the emotions that shape our existence—peace, sorrow, joy, and loss.

Inspired by double exposure photography, Sonnenberg merges faces with flowers, creating layered compositions that blur the line between human and botanical forms. This approach transforms portraiture into something more universal—less about identity and more about feeling. Her paintings are deeply personal yet accessible, inviting viewers to bring their own experiences and emotions to the work.

Sonnenberg’s artistic journey is rooted in memory and family. Her grandmother’s admiration for flowers, her mother’s flourishing gardens, and her own reflections on time and beauty all weave into her paintings. Drawing inspiration from poets like Mary Oliver, she titles each piece after lines of poetry, reinforcing the poetic nature of her work.

Sonnenberg is a painter, art educator, muralist and advocate for inclusion and diversity in the arts. Through her work, she seeks to create moments of reflection—spaces where beauty, nostalgia, and impermanence coexist.