Shari Levine is a celebrated encaustic artist whose work captivates audiences with its luminous colors, layered textures, and emotive depth. Working primarily with fused layers of wax, Shari has developed a unique voice within contemporary art, blending technical mastery with profound emotional resonance. Her art is not just an aesthetic experience; it is an invitation to pause, reflect, and connect with the beauty and energy that surrounds us.
The Enchantment of Encaustic
Encaustic painting, a medium that involves mixing pigment with hot wax, has fascinated artists for centuries. Shari’s dedication to this medium stems from its vibrant colors and the way it interacts with light. The wax allows her to build rich, layered surfaces, creating works that glow from within. For Shari, the process is meditative and restorative; it brings a sense of peace and joy that she extends to others through her work. Each piece is a dialogue between the artist, her materials, and the viewer, a conversation about color, light, and the emotional resonance of the natural world.
Shari describes her artistic process as both grounding and transcendent. The act of creating, for her, is a way to focus fully on the present moment while simultaneously channeling the energy of the wider world. Through her paintings, she hopes to communicate the profound beauty that surrounds us, encouraging viewers to see and feel the world with renewed clarity.
Art as Connection
At the heart of Shari’s work is the desire to connect. Her paintings are deeply personal, yet they speak to universal experiences of wonder, contemplation, and renewal. She believes that art has the power to touch lives, to inspire reflection, and to create a sense of shared understanding. Through her encaustic creations, Shari reaches out to viewers, offering them a visual space in which to explore their own thoughts, feelings, and perceptions. Her work embodies the idea that beauty is not just an object to behold but a bridge to a deeper human connection.
Shari’s approach to art also reflects her commitment to engaging with social and environmental issues. While her paintings are visually captivating, they are also imbued with a consciousness of the world beyond the studio. She channels her care for people and global concerns into her work, allowing her creative practice to serve as both personal expression and a subtle form of advocacy.
I Look to the Sea: A Journey Through Nature and Resilience
One of Shari’s works, I Look to the Sea, exemplifies her philosophy of drawing strength from the natural world. Inspired by a trip to Ireland, where the sea is raw, powerful, and untamed, this encaustic painting captures the elemental force of nature. For Shari, the sea is both a metaphor and a source of renewal.
“I Look to the Sea” reflects the feelings of many who, in today’s complex and often overwhelming world, feel powerless to effect change. The painting is a visual reminder to draw strength from nature’s clarity and resilience. By connecting with the raw energy of the sea, viewers are encouraged to replenish their hope, conviction, and courage. In this work, Shari emphasizes that nature’s beauty can restore our humanity and guide us toward meaningful action, even in turbulent times.
The painting’s layers of wax and pigment capture the motion, depth, and luminous quality of the ocean, inviting viewers to immerse themselves in its rhythm and power. Shari’s use of encaustic techniques enhances the tactile and visual richness of the piece, creating a dynamic interplay of color and light that mirrors the sea itself.
Pioneering Encaustic Jewelry
Beyond her paintings, Shari has innovated within the world of encaustic jewelry. She pioneered a process for translating her wax-based techniques into wearable art, creating unique, one-of-a-kind pieces that echo the luminosity and texture of her paintings. Shari’s jewelry is displayed alongside her paintings in three Seattle-area galleries, allowing collectors to experience her work in multiple dimensions.
Shari also shares her knowledge and passion through teaching. Her online classes offer artists worldwide the opportunity to learn the intricate techniques of encaustic jewelry, fostering a community of creatives who carry forward her innovations. Teaching allows Shari to extend the joy and meditative focus she experiences in her own practice to others, creating a ripple effect of artistic inspiration.
Recognition and Impact
Shari Levine is an award-winning artist whose work has gained recognition both locally and internationally. Her paintings and jewelry have been showcased in galleries, exhibitions, and publications, reflecting the broad appeal and significance of her art. Through her distinctive approach to color, texture, and emotional depth, Shari has carved out a unique niche in the contemporary art world, earning accolades and a devoted following of collectors and enthusiasts.
Her impact extends beyond the studio. By teaching, sharing her process, and engaging with the community, Shari embodies the idea that art can be both personal and collective. Her work encourages reflection, conversation, and connection, reminding viewers of the beauty, strength, and resilience inherent in the world around us.
A Vision of Beauty and Humanity
Shari Levine’s art is a celebration of life, nature, and human experience. Whether through the glowing layers of an encaustic painting or the delicate textures of her jewelry, she invites viewers to experience the profound beauty that inspires her daily. Her work embodies a philosophy of mindfulness, connection, and hope, showing that creativity can be both a personal sanctuary and a source of inspiration for others.
Through pieces like I Look to the Sea, Shari reminds us that even in times of uncertainty, we can find strength, clarity, and courage in the natural world. Her art is not just a reflection of what captivates her, but a gift to those who engage with it, an opportunity to pause, reflect, and reconnect with what truly matters.
In a world often filled with noise and distraction, Shari Levine’s encaustic art serves as a luminous beacon of creativity, presence, and possibility. Her paintings and jewelry continue to inspire, delight, and connect, embodying the transformative power of art in the modern age.
