Depicting Enchanting Visions of Nature Through Art with Cami Levin

Cami Levin, a local artist born and raised in Southern California, calls beautiful Dana Point home. It’s here in her Lantern District home studio where the creativity flows, providing the inspiration she needs to create her intricate and detailed mixed media wall art.

Using clay, paint, resin and found objects, Cami’s work depicts an enchanting vision of nature which includes symbols of love, joy, hope and stories of life.

For Cami the fun is in the details, and, taking them to the limits – creating pieces that literally and figuratively sparkle and bring joy and wonder to her collectors. A child of two creatives, Cami graduated with a Bachelor’s in Psychology, but over time began to realize her talent was in creating art, which led her to following her heart and natural passion into a full-time career as an artist.

Ten years ago, Cami developed the unique mixed media style that has become her current signature. Up the road a bit, in Laguna Beach, she used to own a gallery on Forest Avenue from 2006 – 2018. It was during this time that she created her current techniques based on both her love of sculpting and painting. With the sales and feedback she received from her loyal gallery customers, things took off from there.

Cami’s mixed media pieces include all sorts of tiny and unique objects – gemstones, beads, buttons, flowers, pieces of ceramic and clay, vintage keys, watch faces and more. Her art encourages you to stop and stare awhile, immersing yourself in her stunning and creative visual displays.

Cami’s current focus is on three different series of work: “Trees of Love,” “Journey of Women,” and “Squares of Reflection.” Each series is unique, however all three convey the same approach. An expression of numerous and almost random seeming symbols fashioned into an orderly design. Her art has been described as “art within art” and she loves to encourage her viewers to look within to find something new in any one of her intricate pieces.

The next big project for Cami is the annual Ritz Carlton’s Art Surfboard Auction. Honoring the resort’s commitment to supporting worthy causes, this holiday auction supports Surfers Healing (@surfershealing), whose mission is to enrich the lives of people living with autism by exposing them to the unique experience of surfing. Cami’s board, along with others, will be displayed in the lobby of the Ritz Carlton Monarch Beach from November 15th through December 31st and will be auctioned off in support of this cause. Check out her Instagram @cami.levin.art as she documents her progress and the finished board!

I asked Cami what a perfect day in Dana Point looks like for her as I always enjoying hearing where locals like to take a walk, grab a bite or do a little shopping here in town. Cami and her husband, also an artist specializing in fused glass work, love to head to the Dana Point Headlands trail and from there, down to Strands Beach. Strands is known for sometimes being full of rocks and on other days, stretches of sand. Cami loves the unexpected of never knowing what you may see depending on the day. Sometimes they’ll walk to the Ritz Carlton for a view over the ocean and a coffee and pastry; and if it’s a Saturday, it’s often a stop at the Dana Point Farmers Market. Then home to their shared studio for some work before dinner out at one of their favorite local restaurants – Maison, Station Craft or Coastal Kitchen. Lately they’ve really been enjoying the cozy and casual bar of the newly opened Barvino, for great reasonably priced wine and delicious charcuterie boards. Finally, if she’s in the mood to shop, you can find her at everybody’s favorite shop HŌM Dana Point, which just recently won Business of the Quarter in Dana Point!

In addition to showing work by appointment at her Dana Point studio, you can find Cami’s art in the following shops and galleries: The Living Room Salon and Art Gallery in Costa Mesa (@thelivingroomartgallery), Art Center Gallery at the Shops at Mission Viejo (@artcentergallery), Laterra Gems at the Forum Shops in Caesars Palace and at the Miracle Mile Shops at Planet Hollywood, Las Vegas Southwest Expressions in Park City, Utah and Glass Mango in Maui.

Follow along on her artistic journey at @cami.levin.art.