Raffi Kalenderian, born in Los Angeles in 1981, continues to live and work in his hometown. The uniquely colored skies of L.A. have always been a significant source of inspiration for him, often vividly influencing his artwork. Another major stylistic influence on Kalenderian is the British artist David Hockney, known for his landscapes and portraits that capture a timeless moment. Kalenderian earned his Bachelor of Fine Arts from the University of California, Los Angeles in 2004. That same year, he completed a residency at the Idyllwild Arts Academy in California, and later, in 2007, he participated in another residency in St. Barthélemy in the French West Indies.
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Kalenderian's artwork encapsulates a temporal complexity within a single moment, a recurring intrinsic quality of his pieces. He has mentioned that painting allows him to decelerate and concentrate on interpersonal relationships. Kalenderian finds great significance in the social aspect, noting that technology can be isolating. Spending a few hours with a friend, observing and conversing, offers a way to slow down. The resulting drawing becomes a record of this shared time and a testament to existence.