Aruna Rao
Lake Mary, Florida
Artist Aruna Rao paints impressionistic seascapes that capture the shimmer of light, the movement of water, and the quiet poetry of coastal life. "I am endlessly inspired by how light transforms a scene, softening the atmosphere and turning an ordinary moment into something unforgettable," says Aruna. Growing up in a literary family in India, she was surrounded by stories and art, which sparked her love of narrative and visual expression. After a 20-year career in IT, she returned to painting, earning an MFA with top honors from the Academy of Art University in San Francisco. Living in Florida offers endless inspiration, from sunrise beaches and glowing horizons to quiet harbors and small human moments that evoke joy and nostalgia. Influenced by French Impressionists and contemporary coastal painters, Aruna creates luminous works that invite the viewer to pause, breathe, and rediscover the beauty of the present moment. When she is not painting, she enjoys beach walks, discovering music, watching films with her husband, and spending time with their two cats.
Artist Statement
I am endlessly inspired by the way light transforms a landscape, how it shimmers across water, softens into the atmosphere, and turns an ordinary moment into something unforgettable. In my impressionistic coastal oil paintings, I use layered color, subtle tonal shifts, and expressive brushwork to create luminous scenes where light feels as though it is emerging from within the painting.
Living in Florida offers me constant inspiration: beaches at sunrise, glowing horizons, quiet harbors, and small human moments that evoke joy, simplicity, and nostalgia. My process begins outdoors with observation, sketching, and photography, then continues in the studio where I interpret those impressions with intuition and emotion.
Much of my inspiration comes from spending time in quaint towns nestled in beautiful nature. I take many photographs on these scouting trips and primarily work from them. I choose the ones that excite me and have the potential to form a strong composition. I then use a combination of Photoshop, quick sketches, and color studies to develop a strong design for the final painting.
Because of my academic background, my work is well-rooted in fundamental painting principles. I am passionate about my craft and invest in the resources needed to develop it from concept to completion, always striving for excellence and viewer satisfaction.
My intention is to create paintings that invite the viewer to pause, breathe, and rediscover the beauty of the present moment.
Living in Florida offers me constant inspiration: beaches at sunrise, glowing horizons, quiet harbors, and small human moments that evoke joy, simplicity, and nostalgia. My process begins outdoors with observation, sketching, and photography, then continues in the studio where I interpret those impressions with intuition and emotion.
Much of my inspiration comes from spending time in quaint towns nestled in beautiful nature. I take many photographs on these scouting trips and primarily work from them. I choose the ones that excite me and have the potential to form a strong composition. I then use a combination of Photoshop, quick sketches, and color studies to develop a strong design for the final painting.
Because of my academic background, my work is well-rooted in fundamental painting principles. I am passionate about my craft and invest in the resources needed to develop it from concept to completion, always striving for excellence and viewer satisfaction.
My intention is to create paintings that invite the viewer to pause, breathe, and rediscover the beauty of the present moment.
Artist Background
Academy of Art University
Master of Fine Arts, 2018
Press
A Feature on Aruna Rao
Southwestart.com Shares The Artist's Story
A Q&A with Aruna Rao
Orlandovoyager.com Talks To The Artist
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