• Renée Levin brings her oil paints to Malibu Beach Inn as Artist in Residence starting March 7, with the unveiling of her new piece “She Resurrects” on March 10.
  • Guests can watch her work as she creates a piece inspired by a flower found in the fire zone from last year’s Palisade Fire.
  • When in town, check out the work of some of our favorite Malibu artists.

It’s been a little more than a year since the Palisades Fire ravaged Pacific Palisades and parts of Malibu. In many ways, life has returned to normal: the Pacific Coast Highway has reopened, rebuilding has started, and surfers are returning to the waves.

But the emotional healing is ongoing. And if there’s one vehicle through which we often express our pains and our hope, our fears and desires, it’s art.

Entrance to Malibu Beach Inn overlooking the ocean

That’s why Malibu Beach Inn is proud to welcome painter Renée Levin to its Artist in Residence program from March 7 to March 10, as she creates her newest work, “She Resurrects.”

The large-scale oil painting will be based on a morning glory wildflower that the artist found in the foothills which burned last year during the fire. Guests will be able to watch her create this symbol of hope and rebirth over those four days, culminating in an unveiling on March 10 and then in the Inn’s art collection for the following six months.

“She Resurrects” is the latest in Levin’s Impertinence series, a collection of works that examines the constant march of time and its impact on life. Enlarged floral forms allow viewers to think both literally and figuratively about the subject and that time in the flora’s lifecycle, the fleeting nature of life, and the beauty of a singular moment.

Levin’s work has earned her write-ups in Vogue and Barron’s and exhibitions around the country. Her stay at Malibu Beach Inn is her first west coast residency, and will finish with the unveiling of “She Resurrects” at the end of her stay. From there, the piece will remain at the Inn for six months and will be available for purchase for $5,400.

As the Malibu community grows stronger in the wake of the fires of 2025, Levin’s wildflower represents a reminder that there can be beauty in ash, strength within suffering, and love among ruins.

Seagulls flying on the beach and a tile City of Malibu sign

It’s no shock that a town as stunning as this Southern California gem would be the home to so many Malibu artists, drawn to the beauty of its ocean and hills. After experiencing the new work by Levin (and the other art on offer at Malibu Beach Inn), we recommend checking out the work of several local artists who capture elements of the town in multiple media.

Lori Mills: The oil painter is a mainstay at galleries around town and elsewhere, while also running the Malibu Contemporary Art Gallery in nearby Westlake Village. Her work is inspired by the beauty of Malibu and California as a whole and tends to be as calming as staring out into the Pacific Ocean.

Carlos Gauna: The photographer and videographer has shot on location around the world, but he clearly reserves his passion for his home. His nature photography focuses on the town’s beaches, including stunning images of lifeguard stations, surfers, and even the Malibu Pier, often with a gorgeous sunset in the background. His work has been featured by outlets like National Geographic and the BBC, among many others.

Pamela LeGrand: Water has been a constant in LeGrand’s life: she arrived in Malibu from Minnesota, the land of 10,000 lakes. Now, she’s turned her gaze (and oil paints) towards the beach, both in widescreen tableau and minute detail. She also creates adorable custom dog portraits, if you’d like to see her work (and your best friend!) on your walls.The works of these craftspeople, along with those of so many other Malibu artists, can be found throughout the city at galleries and in shops. Supporting local artisans and small businesses while shopping in Malibu is one of the best ways both to give back to the community and to experience the town’s atmosphere, culture, and beating heart.