Testimonials
What others say about my art!
Testimonials
What others say about my art!
AGI Art Gallery – Red Dot Miami
Red Dot Miami (December 4–8, 2024)
Mana Wynwood, Miami, FL
Mariana’s art is a joyful celebration of color, whimsy, and the limitless possibilities of imagination. Deeply influenced by “naïve” and figurative art, art nouveau, and surrealism, her work invites viewers into a vibrant world where playful compositions bring the magic of everyday life to the surface. Whether depicting serene green meadows, delicate flowers, or romantic moments of reflection, each of her paintings evokes enchantment, lightness, and joy.
Inspired by the beauty of nature, the diverse cultures she has encountered through her travels, and the dreamlike quality of myths and fairy tales, Kalacheva’s subjects range from whimsical characters and mythological heroes to elegant women in flowing gowns and surreal still lifes. Recently, she has embraced 3D techniques, incorporating textured gels, pastes, and adhesive papers to add depth and a tactile experience to her paintings. This allows her vivid houses, delicate flowers, and feminine silhouettes to take on a multi-dimensional quality, almost as if they leap off the canvas.
Through her art, Kalacheva seeks to offer viewers a momentary escape from the complexities of life—an invitation to dream, explore, and experience moments of pure visual delight. She believes that art has the power to bring warmth, light, and a touch of magic to the spaces it inhabits, and her work has found homes in private, corporate, and public collections around the world.
For Kalacheva, each painting tells a unique story, crafted through a creative process that feels almost magical. Painting is not just her form of expression—it is a journey into a timeless realm where beauty, joy, and imagination know no bounds.
Agora Gallery, New York
Through the Bramble – June 6–28, 2024
he narratives are inspired by her travels and work in the gallery and yachting industries on the French Riviera, as well as her Bulgarian heritage. References to treasures spanning centuries—artifacts from the Thracians to Roman emperors—appear in her paintings as symbols of an idyllic past. Constantly experimenting, Kalacheva uses acrylic, paper collage, fabric, gels, beads, and papier-mâché on canvas or board. Her paintings evoke the timeless aura of an enchanted world, one where beauty, peace, and harmony prevail.
Mariana is a Bulgarian painter based in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. Kalacheva’s paintings evoke bygone eras, fusing the decorative elegance of Art Nouveau with the fabled naivete of children’s illustrations. Women in sumptuous Renaissance dresses stroll through gardens filled with all sorts of earthly delights—fragrant lilies, majestic trees, multicolored birds, swans, flamingos—or rest languidly in opulent interiors, with their lovers, children, or pets.
Vazrazhdane Art Gallery, Plovdiv
Krasi Alexieva – Owner
Mariana Kalacheva is an artist based in the United States whose works can be found in numerous private, municipal, and corporate collections—from California, New York, and Miami in the United States to Monaco, France, Spain, Austria, Taiwan, Portugal, Italy, Bulgaria, Belgium, and Turkey.
Having lived, created, and exhibited her art around the world for many years, Mariana has finally returned to the gallery where her artistic journey first began. A remarkable fine art painter, she leads us into the fairy-tale, illusory world of her paintings—inviting us to rediscover the magic of her stories within our often overly rigid, realistic lives. Beauty, poetry, and dreamlike imagination lift us onto our toes, awakening the longing within our hearts.
Elizabethan Gallery, Baton Rouge
Liz Walker – Owner
“I have had the opportunity to work with Mariana since early 2019 when I started representing her
as an artist at The Elizabethan Gallery. The Elizabethan Gallery has been in operation in the Baton
Rouge area since 1988 and we have carried the work of several EBRP teachers, ie, Keith Douglas,
April Hammond, Nathaniel Landry and Nancy Smitherman, to name a few.
Mariana’s distinctive style is as refreshing and beautiful as she is. More importantly, she is a very
humble, appreciative person, two trails that every teacher of our children should
have. Additionally to these attributes, Mariana dresses appropriately which is another trait that
young people should pay attention to. She is refreshing to be around, and more than any talent, I
believe this happiness will be inspirational to any child who will come into contact with her.
She shows attention to detail, not only in her artwork, but also participating in the numerous art
shows The Elizabethan Gallery has held, including “White Light Night”, “Hot Art, Cool Nights”,
and most recently “Women’s History Month”. Mariana has never missed a deadline when she
committed to bringing in new art for these events.
More importantly for young people in a structured environment, Ms. Kalacheva is soft spoken,
patient, and exhibits a level of excitement when explaining her art and how she goes about
designing and producing it.
She has already been teaching classes outside of her present work and her classes fill up
regularly. She has also held art openings for her students and has had success in getting the
public to attend.”
Regards,
Liz Walker, Owner
The Elizabethan Gallery
680 Jefferson Highway
Baton Rouge, LA 70806
225-924-6437
lizgalry@bellsouth.net
https://www.elizabethangallery.com/artists
“ Mariana Kalacheva CONTEUSE BULGARE AUX DOIGTS DE FÉE”
Thomas MICHEL
Journaliste – Chef adjoint Monaco-Matin et Nice-Matin Menton
Monaco
« Après l’école je dessinais tout ce que je voyais. Des paysages, des portraits…
Absolument tout. C’était mon hobby, c’était normal et j’étais persuadée que tout le monde faisait ça!
(rires) Plus tard, j’ai compris que j’avais un potentiel, un don, et des proches m’ont dit : “Tu dois entrer dans une acydémie”»
La médecine ne sera qu’une illusion de vocation pour Mariana Kalacheva. Les Beaux Arts, un révélateur de son infinie poésie.
Bercée de songes romantiques, « Miss Sunshine » couche chacune de ses émotions sur papier. Son sixième sens en éveil constant. Sa sensibilité à fleur de pinceau. Ou de mine de plomb… « Le crayon est l’outil que je préfère, celui qui offre le plus de liberté et de légèreté dans la création…» Les années passent, la technique s’affine et le talent s’affirme.
Une sensibilité exacerbée à l’amour
D’illustrations pour un magazine fantastique à la réalisation de cartes de vœux pour une entreprise locale, tout est bon pour gagner son pain et aiguiser sa passion. En 2004, l’artiste saute dans le vide. Dans un décor bucolique de sa Bulgarie natale, où le ruissellement de la rivière et le silence fertilisent sa créativité, Mariana Kalacheva ouvre son propre atelier. Expose et s’expose à une critique dithyrambique. Ses toiles prennent vie et son romantisme se propage jusqu’au Brésil, où la générosité de sa palette de couleurs émeut plus qu’ailleurs.
Les expos s’enchainent avec succès mais la liberté est plus grande que le confort. Cap sur Nice. Un port d’attache où chaque coup d’œil par dessus l’épaule dévoile un parcours authentique. Une vie de songes éveillés. De conteuse mature à l’insouciance enfantine. Évoquer l’enfance et les premiers coups de crayon avec Mariana Kalacheva, c’est comme parler d’un livre tout juste refermé. Frais. Spontané. C’est tutoyer l’espièglerie et la tendresse dissimulées dans les traits de ses personnages. Apprécier un art naif fait d’instantanés bariolés suggérant tous narration à ses contemplateurs. C’est aussi trouver dans un détail, une posture, un iris, une main ou un rictus, dévoilant une sensibilité exacerbée à l’amour et au désir. Au partage.
Présélectionnée pour une grande exposition à Taïwan, Mariana rêve secrètement d’habiller les murs d’une galerie azuréenne. Que le conte devienne réalité…
Thomas MICHEL
Journaliste – Chef adjoint Monaco-Matin et Nice-Matin Menton
Monaco
Recognition certificate awarded at TAIPEI, TAIWAN (ART REVOLUTION)
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Testimonials
Silvana Lyubchova
Owner of ANTISEL Bulgaria Ltd. Art Collector and Friend
Mariana Kalacheva’s art is something truly special and deeply valuable to me. Beyond the paintings I own, I feel fortunate to know her personally—beautiful, unique, and immensely talented.
Her works carry a distinct sense of beauty, warmth, genuine emotion, and heartfelt love. Each painting tells its own unique story, and there is something so tender and moving within them that always leaves me feeling uplifted.
Daniela Ossikovska
Initiator of Salon for Naïve and Intuitive Art, Bulgaria
Mariana Kalacheva is an artist who exists, creates, and evolves within the same luminous octave—the joy of life and the bright side of things. Her masterful painting, radiating tenderness, elegance, and subtle vibrations, is a valuable addition to the museum collection of the Salon for Naïve and Intuitive Art in Bulgaria.
We have known each other since the museum’s opening in 2019, and our collaboration has continued to grow through the Association Art Naïve Bulgaria and the Salon for Naïve and Intuitive Art, both of which are gaining increasing recognition and popularity.
Milen Siromashki
Art Studio Milen Siro, Plovdiv, Bulgaria
I have known Mariana since our student years, and even then, her exceptional sensitivity to detail and unmistakable artistic voice stood out. Today, she has evolved into a refined and compelling artist whose work resonates with both emotion and depth.
Mariana is a dedicated and disciplined creator who masterfully fuses concept and feeling into powerful visual narratives. Each of her works carries a distinct signature—elegant, expressive, and instantly recognizable. Her professionalism, consistency, and artistic integrity make her work not only visually captivating but truly memorable for collectors and audiences alike. https://www.facebook.com/milen.siromashki
Keith Douglas (The Cartoonman)
Talented Art Teacher Central High School, Baton Rouge, LA, USA
Mariana is a person I have been watching for quite some time. Being an artist in East
Baton Rouge has helped me watch several up and coming artists. Mariana is one of them ..
When I first noticed her work she was a participant in the downtown’s artist market through the
arts council of Baton Rouge. I discovered that Mariana has a vast amount of skill and artistic
mastery. She has a great eye for proportion and artistic detail. I must include some of her works
that show that she can be witty and whimsical. Some of her canvases show her sculptural side
where her works take on a relief look .
I’ve also had the pleasure of exhibiting with her at Elizabethan Art Gallery at 680
jefferson hwy, Mariana’s warm and curious nature would be a true plus in any teaching program.
Her experiences and credentials speak for themselves as well as her international knowledge
would be an asset to any learning institution or program. She has been an artistic asset in
Baton Rouge for a short time but her impact will last a lifetime.
Becky Gottsegen
Figurative ceramic artist living and working in Baton Rouge, LA
When I met Mariana, she was highly recommended as an artist to participate in Bust Breast Cancer, an event that is held each year by Woman’s Hospital to raise funds for their mammography coaches and additional services that they provide free of charge to women diagnosed and being treated for breast cancer.
The design that Mariana created for the event was absolutely incredible and one of the best designs of the year. She spent countless hours building individual blossoms and branches that “grew out of” the strapless top. She is
one of the most creative and dedicated young women I have the pleasure of knowing.
She is an amazing individual and will shine in whatever she attempts!
Sincerely,
Becky Gottsegen
225-229-0881
beckygottsegen@gmail.com
beckygottsegen.com
Michaela Marinova
(Friend, customer), France
I am writing to commend Mrs. Mariana Kalacheva for her excellent art instruction.
My daughter, Iris, attended group art classes a t Mariana’s studio during her school years 2014 –
2016 in Nice, Cote d’Azur. She visited her once a week on Saturdays during Mariana’s stay in
the country, mostly in Fall – Spring seasons. The diverse range of techniques, including papier mache, watercolors, pencils and acrylic painting, had greatly enhanced her artistic skills. The art history components and practical lessons had been particularly valuable. Iris learned a lot about the great classic artist’s life in Europe and worldwide. She enlarged her knowledge about their paintings and the interesting stories of their make.
Iris’s growth as a young artist had been remarkable, and we appreciate Mariana’s dedication.
I wish Mariana good luck at her new endeavors and if you need further information, please feel
free to contact me.
Best regards,
Michaela Marinova
mihaelamarinova@yahoo.com
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