Artist reception for March artist, Audra Saunders.

Born and raised in southern New Hampshire, Audra now resides in Amherst with her husband, two sons, and her dog and cat. She has always had an interest in drawing and painting since she was a child. She also knew that she wanted to teach someday. She decided to find her own voice and better her art techniques first, by getting a Bachelor’s of Fine Arts in drawing and painting from Rivier University, before pursuing teaching. Her desire to teach art grew and she went back to Rivier to get a Master’s Degree in Education with certification to teach art.

Audra taught art for 11 years at Merrimack Middle School in Merrimack, NH and 6 years at Hollis-Brookline High School teaching art, photography and graphic design. She is now in her second year teaching at Souhegan High School as their Media Arts teacher. She served the Nashua Artists' Area Association as the Director of the Emerging Artist Student Talent Division as well as chairperson of their scholarship committee for 3 years, running the student art shows and scholarship selection program.

Audra spends much of her free time outdoors hiking and trail running in the woods. This is why nature is a huge influence on her artwork. Her paintings have bold colors and sharp edges because that is how she sees the world, as pieces of color connected together. Through her work, she seeks to unravel the profound interconnectedness that exists between women and nature, celebrating their mutual resilience, nurturing spirit, and boundless creativity.

In her exploration, she draws inspiration from the organic shapes, textures, and rhythms found in the natural environment, mirroring them in the graceful curves, fluid lines, and delicate nuances of the feminine form. She aims to evoke a sense of reverence for the innate beauty and wisdom inherent in both womanhood and the natural world. By intertwining elements of femininity and nature in her creations, she invites viewers to contemplate the symbiotic relationship between the two, inviting them to reflect on themes of growth, transformation, and regeneration. Through the lens of her art, she hopes to inspire a deeper connection with the earth and a greater appreciation for the multifaceted expressions of femininity that permeate our world.