Artist statement

Sarah Calandro is an alla prima oil painter dedicated to mastery and growth. Her paintings are luminous, abstracted impressions of the subject matter she paints. She strives to capture light, space, and color in a way that seems effortless and minimal, yet expressive. She’s deeply curious about how the simplicity of her technique and tools together create harmony and beauty — things like limited palettes, big simple shapes, and economy of brushwork. She enjoys a variety of subject matter in its natural state with soft lighting.

Biography

Sarah is originally from Baton Rouge, LA and now resides in Richmond, VA with her husband, daughter, and yellow lab. She earned a Bachelor’s degree in Architecture from Louisiana State University and a Master’s Degree in Design from Carnegie Mellon University. She worked as an experience designer in technology for 10 years before transitioning to painting full time. Now, she paints out of her home studio and teaches oil painting both online and in person.

AWARDS & EXHIBITIONS

2023 - 4th Annual Vining Gallery Invitational - Indianapolis, IN

2023 - Honorable mention, Oil Painters of America Summer Online Showcase

2023 - National Oil and Acrylic Painters’ Society Associate Member Online Exhibition

2023 - Art Guild of Louisiana’s River Road Show - Baton Rouge, LA

2023 - Honorable Mention - Semi-Pro Class, Mar 2023 Bold Brush Art Contest - Online

2023 - Frameworks Gallery Spring show, exhibiting with Nanci Charpentier - Baton Rouge, LA

2022 - 12th Annual TAPPED at Manifest Gallery, exhibiting with Sarah Sedwick - Cincinnati, OH

2021 - Honorable mention - Enthusiasts class, Jan 2021 Bold Brush Art Contest - Online

2020 - “Small Gifts” exhibition at 620 Art Gallery - Round Rock, TX

TEACHING

2020 to present - online and in-person private lessons and group workshops

2023 - Penn Studio School online course

2022 - Alla prima still-life classes at Atelier Dojo

EDUCATION

2011 - Master of Design from Carnegie Mellon University

2007 - Bachelor of Architecture from Louisiana State University