Background

Based in his scenic childhood hometown of Aptos, California, Randy Cardona draws from his environment and leverages his ADHD to inform his work. His method involves applying acrylic, mixed media, scrap paper and ink to canvas using palette knives and brushes, usually in a visibly dynamic way, and accentuated by small details. His goal is to create an impression of “balanced tension,” using elements of texture and contrast to achieve a certain feeling or evoke a certain place or memory.

Randy’s father Gil was an influential force in his son’s upbringing. The elder Cardona instilled his passion for art and architecture into Randy at a young age. Gil came from humble roots as a poor and dyslexic Mexican kid growing up surrounded and influenced by the culture and stunning architecture of Santa Barbara, California; he was also a talented artist and photographer in his own right.

Having grown up around nature, as well as having traveled and lived in multiple major metropolitan areas (San Francisco, London and Hong Kong), Randy creates art that either reflects the various multitudes of his former urban life, or imbues the viewer with feelings of wildness or serenity. He has been painting since 2007.