Biography | Resume

Sharles was born in Italy of American parents who were forced to sit out the war in Britain, and when the war ended, traveled home. The transition to post-war United States was not an easy one. His parents divorced, leaving Sharles to be raised by various relatives in the ranching environment of Colorado and Wyoming.

At the age of 10 Sharles’ grandmother, a sophisticated, self-made businesswoman who was a very successful art and antique dealer for many wealthy East Coast collectors, took Sharles to live in Boston. He became immersed in the world of foreign travel, art museums, and the antiques and decorative arts associated with his grandmother's business. Both his grandmother and godmother, Grace Wedgewood of the English Wedgewood pottery family, were dedicated collectors of Wedgwood, oriental bronzes, porcelains, flower paintings, Italian and French art. Sharles received a rich and enduring education in the techniques, forms, and artistic values of the decorative arts.

In 1982 Sharles suffered a serious car accident in Loveland, Colorado. Left with almost total amnesia, Sharles struggled to recover. As the fates would have it, Loveland had a small bronze foundry and Sharles became acquainted with local sculptors George Lundeen, Fritz White, Danny Ostermiller, Glenna Goodacre, and Kent Ullberg. He began sculpting western themed images, but eventually began experimenting by working in soft wax rather than the traditional clay, sculpting delicate flower shapes that he attached to the various functional forms of vases, candlesticks and bowls. The bronzes were finished with uncharacteristically bright patinas that galleries seemed reluctant to show. Eventually Pam Driscoll, of the Driscoll Gallery, agreed to show four or five pieces which immediately sold thus beginning his debut as a successful artist.

In 1987 Sharles was accepted into the 3rd Annual Loveland Sculpture in the Park Show, then a small event organized by local peer artist. It has since become the most important national sculpture show in the United States. Sharles has participated in this annual juried show of nationally celebrated sculptors for the past 23 years.

In 1990, Sharles was one of the many talented sculptors from Loveland invited to participate in Continental Airline’s Sculpture Showcase, a show that toured major international airports across the United States for three years. Sharles was delegated with the honor of sculpting the bronze centerpiece. The “Evolution of Flight,” a 5 1/2 foot totem-like structure of turtles, iguanas, and birds, crowned with the head of a Native American, symbolized mankind learning the principles of flight from animals. The piece was so successful that it was given a place in the traveling sculpture show. The "Evolution of Flight" and the traveling show solidified the career of Sharles as a professional sculptor. Galleries and collectors took notice. In 1996 the March issue of Southwest Art Magazine published a sizeable article followed by a similar piece in May/June 1998 Art of the West Magazine.

In 1998 the Art Council of the Cerritos, California commissioned Sharles to sculpt a public art installation. He created a giant red amaryllis and purple lotus flower incorporated in a 12-foot water fountain. In 2006 he was commissioned by the city of Loveland, Colorado to create two, circular, 32" bas-relieves for placement in the Benson Park Sculpture Garden. He was again commissioned in 2008 by Loveland to sculpt a bas-relief for the 25th anniversary of Sculpture in the Park Show.

Sharles is a self-taught sculptor and oil painter, whose love of color and appreciation of nature remain the foundation of his work, but he continues to explore and innovate, creating art that is truly unique.

National Art Shows

Sweetheart Annual Invitational Art Show - Loveland, CO : 5 years

Colorado Governor's Art Show Invitational : 10 years

Sculpture in the Park Juried Annual Show : 23 consecutive years

Danada Annual Sculpture Show - Chicago, IL : 5 years

Annual Wildlife Sculpture Show - Cypress Gardens, FL : 3 years

Cypress Gardens Wildlife Art Show - FL : November 1994

^{Invitational Art Shows}

City of Lakewood, National Sculptor's Guild Art Show : CO

Maclaren / Marowitz Gallery, Animal Art Show : Boulder, CO

City of Westminster Inaugural Art Show: Denver, CO

Annual Invitational Holiday Miniature Art Show, Vanier & Roberts : Scottsdale, AZ

^{Two Artist Show}

Rice & Falkenburg Gallery - Palm Beach, FL : March 1996 (with Shirley Thompson Smith)

Vanier & Roberts Art Gallery : October 1995 (Sharles & Mr. Blackwell)

Saks Gallery - Denver, CO : February 1997 (Sharles & Ramon Kelly)

^{Touring Art Shows}

Continental Sculpture Showcase. Sponsored by Continental Airlines. An exhibit of American bronze sculptures

that toured the international airports in the U.S. for 3 years.

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