Fred Calleri, 1964 | Romantic Figurative painter

Fred Calleri’s experience at The Maryland Institute College of Art 1988-1993 was a watershed event artistically.

The excellent training he received opened the window to all fields of art.

Ironically, Fred took one painting class in college and only became seriously interested in professionally painting after the birth of his son in 1997.

After an extensive period in Graphic Design and Marketing, Calleri decided to move to Flagstaff and take advantage of the history, scenery, people and especially the astounding light offered in the western regions of the U.S.A recent move has brought Calleri to Santa Barbara, CA.

By studying artists such as Zorn, John Singer Sargent (1856-1925), Johannes Vermeer (1632-1675), Joaquín Sorolla (1863-1923) and many others as well as living masters today, Calleri aims to reproduce classic and romantic images using the master’s palette and mood to create an emotional reaction.

Fred covers a wide range of styles and subject matter.

What is now starting to evolve is a smoother blending of the representational with the quirky distortion, as well as an effort to create a deeper narrative with the work.

- "I like to explore the figure, and representational painting in general. By adding a slight distortion, I am free to let the image create itself using each piece as a lesson that is used in the next piece".

- "The historical or 'period' nature of the work lends itself to a style (and a palette) that I enjoy, and reaches back to a seemingly simpler time".

- "This theme inspires me creatively. I use it as an opportunity, trying to incorporate the style into each challenge I confront".

- "As one looks at my work, it is easy to see that the subject matter of each piece can vary. (sometimes drastically). The things a person can find themselves doing in life also varies and I enjoy the challenge of injecting my figures into this world".

- "My influences are from a wide variety of genres, from The Masters to the great Illustrators and many Artists alive today. They remind me constantly that the journey never ends and there is great knowledge to be gained".

- "I work in a studio attached to my home in Santa Barbara. Using vintage reference photos, live models and imagination, the work is then created on Masonite Panel or Canvas".

- "When using black and white references, much of the color is created from imagination".

Fred currently lives in Santa Barbara, CA.

His work has been featured in: Southwest Art, International Artist, American Art Collector, Western Art Collector, Santa Fe Magazine, (NAZ) Mountain Living Magazine.

Fred Calleri è nato nel Maryland. L'esperienza al Maryland Institute College of Art 1988-1993 è stata un evento spartiacque artisticamente.

L'eccellente formazione ricevuta ha aperto la finestra a tutti i campi dell'arte. Ironia della sorte, Fred ha preso un corso di pittura al college e si è interessato seriamente alla pittura professionale solo dopo la nascita di suo figlio nel 1997.

Dopo un lungo periodo in Graphic Design e Marketing, Fred ha deciso di trasferirsi a Flagstaff nel 2001 e approfittare della storia, dei paesaggi, delle persone e soprattutto della luce sbalorditiva offerta nelle regioni occidentali degli Stati Uniti.

Ciò che ora sta iniziando a evolversi è una fusione più fluida della rappresentazione con la distorsione bizzarra, nonché uno sforzo per creare una narrazione più profonda con il lavoro.

Fred attualmente vive a Santa Barbara, in California. Il suo lavoro è stato pubblicato su: Southwest Art, International Artist, American Art Collector, Western Art Collector, Santa Fe Magazine, (NAZ) Mountain Living Magazine.