Reverie: (noun) the state of having pleasant, dream-like thoughts

This series was born from a journey through Brittany and Normandy, France. The paintings are drawn from moments in those long May days and twilights-- a terrace view, a glass of white wine on a side street,  a distant horizon, the changing atmosphere of a place. The pace of life was slow, and I found myself often lost in reverie while wandering past medieval architecture; while ambling down a forest path; while gazing at the enduring presence of the sea.

Rather than serving as literal records of travel, these works explore the role of memory and of daydreams. I am intrigued by how a landscape can hold both the immediacy of a moment and the memory of its existence.

The paintings move between observation and memory. Details become simplified, altered, or intensified. Together, they form a visual record of a journey-- not a map of where I went, but a collection of places and moments that stayed with me. Moments that provoked reverie then are the stuff of reverie now.

Artist Bio:

Lancaster artist Sara Stichler creates watercolor and oil paintings inspired by landscapes, florals, and the fleeting beauty of everyday places. After returning to painting following a twenty-year hiatus, she quickly gained recognition through regional exhibitions and outdoor art shows. Her recent accomplishments include selection to the Baltimore Watercolor Society's 2025 Mid-Atlantic Regional Watercolor Exhibition and winning Lancaster Art Battle in 2025. Sara's work is rooted in a deep appreciation for time, place, and the moments worth remembering. She seeks to capture the beauty, atmosphere, and impermanence of the natural world, drawing inspiration from both local scenes and her travels.

Opening reception Friday, November 6th 5:00-8:30PM. Sneak peaks beginning Thursday November 5th at 10AM