Sandra Lanz Sánchez-Penichet (b. 1987) is a contemporary Cuban-American painter best known for her colorful head-and-shoulders portraits. Specializing in oil on panel, her work is characterized by robust palettes, energetic brushstrokes and sketch-like linework. Exploring themes of self-reflection and rumination, the artist's work draws heavily from her surroundings. Whether working from live sittings, personal photographs, or plein air studies, her careful attention to detail imbues each piece with the tenderness of a devoted observer.
Born in 1987 in Havana, Cuba, Lanz Sánchez-Penichet emigrated to the United States at the age of eleven, when her family was granted political asylum. Throughout her education she earned distinctions such as a National Scholastic Art & Writing Award, two consecutive "Top 10 Artists" Scholarships from Florida International University, and a 2D Art Award from the FIU Honors College Annual Art Competition.
Lanz Sánchez-Penichet has exhibited work in notable venues such as the Ritter Art Gallery in Boca Raton, Avenue Studio in Fort Lauderdale, and the Graham Center Art Gallery in Miami, Florida. Her paintings are held in various private collections, both nationally and internationally.
"I am a Cuban-American artist who specializes in realistic portraiture and figurative oil paintings. My work lovingly depicts the people in my life and the environments we inhabit. I use traditional oil painting techniques infused with contemporary color palettes which reduce the sense of gravitas in the work, replacing it with joy and personal sentiment. Instead of naturalistic neutrals, I highlight my figures in the bolder hues of today's pigments. The paintings are a celebration of our lovely bodies, heads and faces, often surrounded by the enchanting nature of the Pacific Northwest, a place I feel very fortunate to call home. Through my painting practice I am able to reflect on my life and make tangible objects out of my ephemeral feeling and memories. By drawing them out from inside me to exist as images, I ensure that others can appreciate them as much as I do. I am driven by the desire to create celebratory things. I find that oil paint, with its rich, lustrous color, is the perfect vehicle for that. I want to fill walls with depictions of ordinary living that are still beautiful and worthy of admiration." |
Media: Oil | Painting
Studio Number: 43
Address: 98 SE 75th Ave Portland OR 97215
Community: SE Portland
Accessibility: Wheelchair accessible
Email: sandilanz@gmail.com
Website: sandralanzsp.com
Instagram: @sandra_lanz_sp
