Aruna Rao

About Aruna Rao

Aruna Rao, a distinguished fine artist residing in Lake Mary, Florida, captures the ethereal beauty of coastal landscapes with a masterful blend of contemporary impressionism and painterly realism. Born into a literary family in India, Rao's early life was steeped in stories and art, fostering a deep-seated passion for painting. Inspired by the transformative works of Degas, Monet, and Van Gogh, she has honed her unique artistic voice that echoes the interplay of light and atmosphere, evoking a deep sense of nostalgia and tranquility.

Rao's artistic journey took a significant turn when she moved to the United States, embarking on a successful career in the IT industry before returning to her true passion. She pursued an MFA in Painting at the Academy of Art University in San Francisco, graduating with top honors in 2019. This formal education, coupled with years of independent exploration, equipped her with the technical prowess and creative insight to develop her signature style. Her work captures the fleeting moments when light dances across the coast, transforming water, land, and air into a harmonious symphony of color and mood.

Working primarily with oils on linen panels or gallery-wrapped canvases, Rao employs a painterly approach that marries realism, impressionism, and subtle abstraction. This technique allows her to convey both the structural elements and the spontaneous energy of her subjects, creating paintings that resonate with warmth, elegance, and emotional depth. Her dedication to capturing the essence of coastal landscapes has garnered her national recognition, with her work featured in prestigious exhibitions such as the American Impressionist Society and the Oil Painters of America, as well as in esteemed publications like Southwest Art and Artsy Shark.

With her eyes set on the future, Rao aspires to further refine her craft and expand her presence in high-end galleries, reaching collectors who share her appreciation for fine coastal art. As she continues to develop cohesive bodies of work, including her anticipated Shimmer Series, Rao remains committed to creating art that transcends time, offering viewers a luminous connection to the natural world and its ever-changing beauty. Through her paintings, she invites us to pause and revel in the delicate interplay of light and atmosphere that defines the landscapes we hold dear.