Each year the Ann Flack Boseman Gallery in Fisher University Union hosts several art exhibitions. This year on Jan. 14, the gallery opened up the spring semester with a solo exhibition featuring the artwork of professor and artist, Casey Scharling.

“My inspiration for this show came from [everyday] life,” said Scharling. “It was inspired by the patterns of daily life; the patterns we see and the ones we create. These patterns shape our lives.”

Scharling’s exhibition is titled “Submerge” and features very personal large-scale oil paintings. Each painting contains a representation of someone close to Scharling, such as her husband and children. These figures are depicted in their everyday environment, and are seen blending in with their surroundings of bright colors and patterns. Looking at this artwork, one can’t help but get lost in the simplicity and utter beauty of each piece.

Growing up in a home where her mother was an artist, Scharling knew she was destined to follow in her mother’s footsteps; but it was becoming a teacher that came as a bit of a surprise.

While attending East Carolina University as an undergraduate student, Scharling began teaching painting to children at a local community center. When she started attending graduate school, she became a graduate assistant and moved up to teaching adults. This sparked her love for teaching, and she chose to pursue that route after graduation.

Now as a professor at UNC Wilmington, Scharling tries to instill the same principles she uses in her work into her students. “Professor Scharling encourages us to think about our lives and put that into our work. It’s difficult at times, especially if it’s a personal piece, but I also think it’s extremely helpful,” said junior Ashley Whitley.

Scharling participates regularly in several showcases and individual exhibitions, finding funding from the Elizabeth Greenshields Foundation. She also has pieces featured in private collections across the U.S.

While each of her finished products are beautiful, the most compelling part of her work is the process by which she paints. “I never paint on a white canvas,” said Scharling. In order to get the desired effect, Scharling will paint her canvas one color then layer on the paint in thick, heavy brushstrokes until her piece is complete.

Attendees of the exhibition’s opening not only got to experience Scharling’s work firsthand, but they also had the opportunity to speak with her and her family members who are featured in the paintings. “This artist is extremely talented. I got lost in one of the paintings for a good ten minutes just by staring at the triangle pattern in the background. It put me in a trance,” said Wilmington native Freddie Worthington.

“Submerge” will be open for viewing in the Ann Flack Boseman Gallery until Feb. 12. More information about Casey Scharling and her artwork can be found on her website or on her UNCW professor page.