My name is Natalia Kalugina. I am from Nizhny Novgorod, an old Russian town with a deep cultural tradition. My life was surrounded by inspiration of prominent contemporary painters, such as Natalia Pankova, Galina Kakovkina, Yurii Liberov. However, with a background in Physics, I did not consider my artistic talent seriously. After a long journey via Switzerland, Germany, and Texas, my family finally settled in Albuquerque, NM over 10 years ago.
I always admired of the elegant variety and harmony of nature throughout my life. It was only in New Mexico, with its breathtaking landscapes, magical Southwestern light, and calming and peaceful sunlight, that I was compelled to begin creating my own art after participation in a master class led by prominent artist Elena Goubar. My works convey her unique vision of surrounding world, nature, vivid New Mexico culture, color, and light. I admire mountains in the distance with their blushed violet peaks, the yellow sands that glow azure at the sunset, the peculiar shapes and shadows of dark green junipers, stout cacti and beauty of our inexhaustible world.
My preferred medium is oil on canvas with prominent use of a palette knife, the thick and rich strokes of which provide works with a layered and rugged texture.
I am a member of the Rio Grande Art Association (RGAA) and Corrales Society of Artist. My works have been featured in a number of juried New Mexico exhibitions, including at Los Alamos Art Center, at New Mexico Art League, at Encantada Fine Art Shows in Albuquerque, Vivid Show at Art Mozaik Gallery on Canyon Road in Santa Fe.
In 2021, my paintings were selected for participation in the prestigious 23rd MasterWorks Show and in Summer Fine Art Show hosted by Rio Grande Art Association. A lot of my works, including “Sandia Palette” from the MasterWorks Show, are hanging in private collections.
In March 2022, at Art Mozaik Gallery in Santa Fe, I held a personal exhibition, “Glimpses of the Sun”. In November 2022, I successfully participated in the 22nd Rio Grande Arts and Crafts Festival at Expo New Mexico. In 2023 many of my paintings received Honorable Mentions and Talent awards in the International Juried Competitions by Teravarna Art Gallery.
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Natalia's Impressions 