Paz de la Calzada
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Bringing Flow Back to the Plaza

4/16/2026

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I’m excited to share that on May 4 I will begin painting my new public artwork for the San Rafael Fountain—a project that combines a large mural with a series of hand‑crafted ceramic tiles installed on the seven columns above it.

This fountain, once a source of fresh water for the community, has long been a gathering point in the downtown plaza. My design honors that history through the theme of water and flow. The mural will sit directly behind the thin waterfall, allowing the painted lines to merge with the movement of the water itself. Bold white lines will ripple across earthy terracotta, green, and light brown tones, creating a dynamic interplay between the artwork and the fountain’s natural texture.
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Above the mural, the tiles introduce another layer of rhythm and organic form. Each tile is inspired by the organisms that thrive in watery environments—roots, lichen, currents, and subtle ecological patterns. Together, the mural and tiles create a vertical landscape that connects ground to canopy, water to sky.
This project is meant to revitalize the downtown plaza, offering a moment of pause and presence for everyone who passes through. It’s an homage to water as a force of healing, renewal, and connection.

Commissioned by the City of San Rafael, CA and the Downtown San Rafael Arts District (DSRAD), @thecityofsanrafael. Facilitated by Local Edition Creative, @localeditionmktg . Supported in part by the California Arts Council, @calartscouncil
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Spring open studios

3/30/2026

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holiday sale - 40%off

11/18/2025

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Online
Dec 5 -15, 2025
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40% OFF  Works on Paper
15% OFF New series Underwater

Please contact me to schedule a studio visit
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enter sale
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underwater mural

10/20/2025

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I recently completed a private mural in a Noe Valley home: an underwater, dreamy landscape of layered organic forms that sits in the space between reality, dream, and imagination. The composition moves from deep, sedimented tones to luminous highlights, using rhythmic line work and translucent washes to evoke currents, light, and suspended life.
Installed to respond to the hallway's light and size, the mural was designed to feel immersive at a distance and richly detailed up close, inviting slow looking and quiet reflection.
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Camassia quamash:  Sumner Train Station update

6/11/2025

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Camassia quamash is a public art project inspired by the resilient wild Camas lily—a symbol of sustainability, healing, and cultural significance. Commissioned by the Central Puget Sound Regional Transit Authority in 2019, a public transit agency serving the Seattle metropolitan area, the project transforms this native flower into a dynamic visual of environmental advocacy. 

Fabrication is currently underway for the glass façade of the Sumner Train Station Garage, where Camassia quamash is being intricately embedded into the glass. Set for installation this fall, this project marks another step in my commitment to creating public art that merges organic aesthetics with urban environments, inspiring a renewed connection to nature.
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Montage health foundation

3/12/2025

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Aqua Vivens
6' x 33'
Mural printed on wallpaper
​Montage Health Foundation, Monterey, CA

​Spanning three walls of the Montage Community Hospital cafeteria, Aqua Vivens is a wallpaper mural that embodies the soothing and restorative essence of water. Designed to provide a space of comfort and healing, the artwork invites viewers into a meditative experience through its fluid imagery and serene tones.
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In harmony with the hospital's unique architectural features and its distinguished art collection, Aqua Vivens resonates as a symbol of renewal and vitality. The mural transforms the cafeteria into a tranquil sanctuary, offering a calming atmosphere for patients, staff, and visitors alike.
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Mountain View mural installation

1/28/2025

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The "Underwater" mural in Mountain View is a captivating installation that evokes the mystery of the ocean. This mural is crafted on two large 3D boards, which are intricately painted to depict an underwater landscape. The background painting unifies the boards, creating a seamless and immersive experience for viewers. Inspired by the vast ecology of our oceans and the pressing issue of pollution, the mural features vibrant colors and dynamic forms that evoke the dreamy, otherworldly nature of the underwater world. 
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414 Petaluma affordable housing

8/28/2024

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I’m excited to share the details of my latest art project at Petaluma 414!
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In collaboration with MidPen Housing, I have worked to transform the 414 Petaluma affordable housing community into a vibrant, artistic space. My project integrates large-scale murals and 12 commissioned paintings with the theme of the four elements, with each floor dedicated to one element. The first floor features earth colors, gradually transitioning to light blue on the fourth floor, symbolizing air. These artworks not only beautify the environment but also foster a sense of community and belonging among the residents.
The project aligns perfectly with MidPen Housing’s mission to create not just homes, but thriving communities. 414 Petaluma, provides 44 affordable housing units for farmworker families in Sonoma County.
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Flowing  Together - The  sacramento  grand  façade

3/26/2024

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The Sacramento Grand Facade stands as a testament to the transformative power of art and its ability to echo the pressing concerns of our time. At its heart, the artwork is a vivid portrayal of California’s majestic rivers—the Sacramento and the American—whose intertwining courses are rendered with such dynamism that they seem to flow beyond the canvas.

​This confluence is more than a meeting of waters; it symbolizes the unity of purpose in addressing the state’s water challenges and the broader quest for climate justice. My vision for this project was to stir the public consciousness towards ecological stewardship and to foster a collective resolve in healing the wounds inflicted upon our environment. 

This installation is a proud moment for everyone involved. Congratulations Dyson & Womack @dgscalif @kitchellprogress ZGF Architects for reaching this significant milestone! #publicartca
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NOPA Mural, san francisco

1/29/2024

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I'm excited to share my latest mural project, which I completed in a stunning home in the Nopa neighborhood of San Francisco. I enjoyed working with the homeowners to create a calming and meditative environment in their living room, and I was honored to collaborate with them on their vision. I used soft colors and gentle curves to create a sense of harmony and freshness, as well as to contrast with the urban setting of the house. I hope this mural will bring them joy and peace.
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    News

    Spring Open Studios
    1890 Bryant Street Studios, San Francisco
    Friday April 10, 6-9pm
    Sat & Sun, April 11-12, noon - 6pm


    San Rafael Fountain
    Public Art Project

    Downtown San Rafael, CA
    ​Install May, 2026


    Sumner Station Public Art
    Sumner, WA
    ​Install, Fall 2026


    Books

    The Mother of All Questions
    by  Rebecca Solnit
    Artwork by Paz de la Calzada

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    MORE BOOKS

    Videos

    ArtAmari Residency 
    in Crete and the creation of a labyrinth
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    MORE VIDEOS
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