Oil painting "Blue Smoke (Frida)" (2018) by Arun Prem (unique)

Arun is based in Southern California. He paints almost every day—for him, painting is a way to process and capture his personal experiences, celebrate life, and overcome challenges. Just as immigration and travel have shaped his life, his artwork often addresses isolation, cultural conflict, and colonial history. The resulting art is deeply personal and reflects his personality. He attributes the diversity of his subjects and rapid brushstrokes to his short attention span and his predisposition to dyslexia. His vibrant palette stems from his upbringing in India. Life in California inspired Arun to create realistic seascapes, which he paints in his studio using his own photographs as references. Arun's work is influenced by many styles—abstract expressionism, impressionism, and Orientalism. His favorite artists include a diverse group such as J. Singer Sargent, Jean-Léon Jerome, Krishen Khanna, Cecily Brown, W. DeKooning, and R. Diebenkorn. Arun is a member of the San Diego Museum of Art's Artists Guild. In March 2019, Arun received the 2nd Place Award of Excellence in the group exhibition sponsored by the San Diego Museum of Art Artists Guild at the Lyceum Theater; curator: Sonya Sparks