Maria Calandra, a talented artist, takes a unique approach to capturing the beauty of nature in her dynamic oil landscapes. Unlike traditional plein air painters who work outdoors, Calandra finds inspiration in her surroundings by exploring coastal headlands in Maine, waters in Florida, and fields in Southern France.
After returning to her Brooklyn studio from these invigorating excursions, Calandra’s workspace is filled with energy. She describes her painting process as a reflection of the moment when you start to feel the Earth’s vibrations pulsing through your body during a hike, allowing memory, intuition, and those leftover vibrations to guide her work.
Calandra’s painting style is intense and vibrant, characterized by fluid brushstrokes and oscillating organic forms that convey a stream of consciousness. She refers to the act of painting as “automatic painting,” where instinct plays a significant role in the creative process.
In January, Calandra will be part of a group show at Half Gallery in New York, followed by a solo exhibition in June at the gallery’s Los Angeles location. To see more of Calandra’s stunning work, visit her website and follow her on Instagram.
The artist’s paintings, filled with hues of red, blue, yellow, green, orange, and purple, capture the essence of nature’s vibrancy and beauty. Each piece exudes a sense of movement and energy, drawing viewers into a world where intuition and creativity intertwine.
If you are passionate about supporting independent arts publishing and artists like Maria Calandra, consider becoming a Colossal Member. Members enjoy benefits such as ad-free browsing, saving favorite articles, discounts in the Colossal Shop, exclusive newsletters, and the opportunity to give back by supporting art supplies for K-12 classrooms.
Overall, Maria Calandra’s work is a testament to the power of nature’s influence on creativity and the ability of art to capture the essence of a moment. Through her vibrant and dynamic landscapes, Calandra invites viewers to immerse themselves in the beauty and energy of the natural world.
