Calvin Coleman
— Calvin Coleman—
Calvin Coleman is a self-taught American visual artist whose work fuses Abstract Expressionism and Fauvism with a deeply spiritual and emotive sensibility. Born in Hampton, Virginia, and raised in Swarthmore, Pennsylvania, Coleman earned a B.S. in Early Childhood Education from Lincoln University. He spent 14 years teaching elementary school before fully dedicating himself to art in 2004. Coleman’s paintings are known for their vibrant color palettes, layered textures, and expressive forms. He often works with heavy-body acrylics, textiles, and mixed media to create rich, tactile surfaces. His subjects—frequently women—are portrayed with a sense of serenity and introspection, reflecting his focus on peace, spirituality, and the beauty of everyday life. Over the past two decades, Coleman’s work has been exhibited in galleries across the U.S. and Europe, including Gallery Guichard in Chicago and Overdue Recognition Art Gallery in Maryland. His art has also been featured in exhibitions such as Delta Sigma Theta’s Gallery D’Estee and is part of numerous private collections. In 2016, his creative journey was chronicled in the book Coleman: His Art Story, co-authored with Karsonya Wise Whitehead. Coleman continues to create from his studio in Baltimore, Maryland, where he draws inspiration from nature, music, scripture, and personal life experiences. His work resonates with audiences seeking art that is both visually compelling and spiritually grounded.
