Sharon Paster
"Art is an obsession. The more you do it, the more you need to do it. I’m so grateful to have the opportunity to obsess."
Sharon Paster is a semi-abstract contemporary painter whose work is rooted in an ongoing exploration of a singular, yet expansive, theme: the continuous exchange of energy that flows through and connects all things. This dynamic interplay—between matter and atmosphere, presence and dissolution—is central to her practice. She captures the invisible pulse of the world through expressive compositions that blend form and flux.
"Fixed elements contrast with fluid ones in my work, highlighting the relationships between objects that can be seen, along with the atmosphere that we can only sense."
Sharon Paster is a semi-abstract contemporary painter whose work is rooted in an ongoing exploration of a singular, yet expansive, theme: the continuous exchange of energy that flows through and connects all things. This dynamic interplay—between matter and atmosphere, presence and dissolution—is central to her practice. She captures the invisible pulse of the world through expressive compositions that blend form and flux.
Her paintings juxtapose fixed elements with fluid gestures, drawing attention to the relationships between tangible subjects—rocks, figures, water—and the ephemeral energy that surrounds and shapes them. Whether working within the recognizable contours of the landscape or veering into the realm of pure abstraction, Sharon's work meditates on dualities: solidity and impermanence, the grounded and the dissolving, the seen and the sensed. Figures and rocks emerge as metaphors—anchored yet transient, embodying the ever-changing nature of existence.
Based in Marin County, just over the Golden Gate Bridge in the San Francisco Bay Area, Sharon creates her work in the historic Sausalito ICB (Industrial Center Building), home to a vibrant community of artists. She maintains an active role in this creative ecosystem, co-chairing the board of directors for the ICB Art Association, which supports over 90 artist-members.
Sharon's work has garnered national attention and is represented by galleries across the United States. Her paintings have been exhibited in notable institutions, including Sacramento’s Crocker Art Museum, the San Jose Institute of Contemporary Art, and MarinMOCA. She was honored to be included in the prestigious de Young Open, a juried exhibition at the de Young Museum celebrating Bay Area artists.
Her art has also been featured in prominent design and lifestyle publications such as Luxe Interiors + Design, House Beautiful, and San Francisco Magazine, highlighting the broad aesthetic appeal and design relevance of her work.
Whether viewed in a gallery or lived within a home, Sharon Paster's paintings invite viewers into a meditative experience—where energy, form, and atmosphere are always in conversation, and where presence itself feels beautifully, constantly in motion.