Artist Bob Cardona joins Allura Art
Allura Art welcomes another new artist
Allura is pleased to welcome another new artist to Allura Art - Maltese painter Bob Cardona.
In this blog post we invite Bob to introduce himself and tell us about his painting.
Meanwhile, to read his biography and view his portfolio of original paintings, visit Bob’s profile page on Allura Art.
Before we get to our interview with Bob, here are some of his recent landscape paintings.
Sunrise Over Marsalforn by Bob Cardona
Marsalforn, meaning ‘bakery harbour’, is the main seaside town in Gozo. During the summer it becomes a bustling resort, yet it manages somehow to retain its warm, relaxed atmosphere. In Sunrise Over Marsalforn the artist paints a spectacular sunrise above the bay with vivid, contrasting colours.
White Dog and Crescent by Bob Cardona
White Dog and Crescent depicts a view from the beach at Ghar Qawqla, near Marsalforn. The artist was inspired by the shape and colour of the limestone undercut, carved out, as it is, by the powerful forces of nature. The white crescent shape is offset by the contrasting hues of the red seaweed, which sprawls across the beach as two dogs play together in the sand.
Bob, welcome to Allura Art. Thank you for sharing your work with our art-loving followers. What made you decide to join us?
It was definitely seeing the quality of other Allura artists’ work and the sense of being part of a larger artistic community.
For how many years have you been painting?
I guess I’ve always had an artistic urge. It goes back to my days at school when I found that drawing could win me favour with fellow classmates and teachers.
Artist Bob Cardona with his painting Shipwreck
Bob is pictured above with Shipwreck, his painting of a rusting merchant ship in West Africa. Shipwreck reflects Bob’s fascination with the effects of decay from exposure to the elements.
What motivates you to paint and what does your art mean to you?
‘I paint therefore I am… I take great pleasure in the process itself and in creating images that others can enjoy.”
How do you decide what to paint?
Colour and light are important triggers for me, but I also like to capture scenes that are more than just ‘postcard’ images of popular places.
GMC COE by Bob Cardona
Bob’s panting GMC COE, pictured above, illustrates the artist’s taste for quirkier, less obvious subject-matter and those which have been weathered by time.
GMC COE is part of a series of artworks depicting old motor cars, called Rusty Relics. The collection was born out of the artist’s love of classic American cars and his fascination with the aesthetics of decay, the onset of rust and peeling layers of faded paint.
Between 1939 and 1959, the General Motors Truck Company, GMC for short, built a series of medium-duty trucks, called ‘cab-over-engine,’ a term which was abbreviated to COE. The decades-old GMC truck in the piece above is observed from an upward-looking angle and its decaying bodywork rendered in brilliant colour.
GMC 100 by Bob Cardona
GMC 100, above, is another piece from the Rusty Relics series. With the passage of time, colours and shapes have emerged unpredictably and the remaining chrome and glass add a glittering contrast to the prevailing patina.
Green Field Ford by Bob Cardona
Green Field Ford is an affectionate study of an old Ford T model left to quietly rust in a farmyard. The surrounding greenery mimics and reflects the mossy hues of the decaying paint of the bodywork, creating the impression that the car is being absorbed into the landscape. Green Field Ford is also part of the Rusty Relics collection.
How regularly do you paint and how much time do you devote to your art?
I pretty much paint three or four hours a day, five days a week.
Bob Cardona at work on a new painting
How would you describe yourself as an artist?
Every new painting is a personal challenge. Colour, light and composition are all aspects which need to be carefully considered and executed. I try to paint images which are obvious and understandable, rather than obtuse, abstract or esoteric.
You’re also a designer. Can you tell us about your other career in interior design?
After leaving school at 17, I set out to be a fine artist. I chose to go to art college, but I found the art school approach at the time didn’t really inspire me or offer a viable future. I soon discovered that the interior design course, which was actually very architectural, provided an opportunity to be creative, inventive and expressive, while making a real impact on living environments. I went on to have a very successful 42 year career as a retail and commercial interior design professional.
Bob Cardona's studio in Gozo
You’ve been painting for a few years now and have built up a solid body of distinctive work. What has it taken to reach this point in your career?
Perseverance, practice and passion.
Being in the design business obviously gave me many opportunities to be creative as well as commercially viable. My art now is entirely for my own personal pleasure and a means to fulfil my creative addiction.
What are your creative aspirations going forward?
I’m keen to participate alongside some of my favourite local artists, both in Allura’s upcoming second series of Artist Secrets and in the next Allura collective show, but also hopefully in other collective exhibitions.
I’m working on a collection of landscapes which capture the aquatic blues in and around Gozo. I’m also keen to explore semi-abstract concepts and ways I can add texture to my paintings.
Bob Cardona at work in his studio in Gozo
To view Bob’s available artwork - visit his portfolio page on Allura Art.
Although Bob is new to Allura Art, he has previously been interviewed by Laura Swale both in video and print. Click on the images below to read and watch.
Laura Swale interviews Bob Cardona for the Times of Malta about creativity during COVID-19.
Video interview - click image to watch - Allura Open Studios with Bob Cardona
Bob is just one of the artists whose paintings are available through the Allura Art online gallery. Artwork is available at studio prices and can be delivered or collected locally or shipped overseas. To view artwork according to budget, visit the search by price page.
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Finally, in case you’re new to Allura Art…
About the Allura Art Collection
The Allura Art Collection is an evolving, curated collection of original paintings, by more than a dozen contemporary painters based in Malta and Gozo. The Allura Art website features pieces in a variety of genres, styles and sizes to suit home, office or commercial interiors. Original paintings also make beautiful and unique gifts, and the search by price page makes it easy to browse according to your budget.
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About the Allura Art advisory service
Allura Art also offers an advisory service, which serves commercial and residential property owners, as well as architects and designers, either seeking direction, or looking to commission a bespoke series or site-specific piece.
Whether residential or commercial, Allura can source, commission or design individual pieces or curate a selection tailored to an interior design scheme.
Allura also welcomes professional relationships with architects and designers as well as contact from other interested parties.
Allura Art deals only in genuine and authenticated originals which are sourced directly from reputable living painters. We offer original fine art at studio prices with secure online payment and safe shipping internationally or local delivery throughout Malta and Gozo. Visit the Allura Art website or find Allura on Facebook or Instagram at @allura_malta. Contact Allura at info@allura.mt or +356 99583389.
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