Aruna Rao is a Florida-based painter specializing in luminous coastal landscapes in oils. Her work captures the interplay of light, color, and atmosphere, evoking a sense of place and tranquility. 

Born and raised in a literary family in India, Aruna was immersed in world literature and art from an early age. She discovered the works of French Impressionists like Degas, Monet, and Van Gogh, sparking a lifelong passion for painting. 

After immigrating to the United States in 1996, she pursued a career in Information Technology before rediscovering her artistic calling in 2013. This led her to enroll in the MFA Painting program at San Francisco’s Academy of Art University, where her deep appreciation for nature and travel naturally guided her toward landscape painting. 

Since graduating with top honors, Aruna has been painting full-time, creating impressionistic works inspired by her experiences across the diverse landscapes of Michigan, California, and Colorado. Now based in Central Florida, she finds endless inspiration in the region’s shimmering coastlines and tropical scenery.