{"id":1958389,"date":"2026-05-27T00:00:00","date_gmt":"2026-05-26T21:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/?p=1958389"},"modified":"2026-05-27T00:00:00","modified_gmt":"2026-05-26T21:00:00","slug":"queer-figures-commune-with-nature-in-j-carinos-dynamic-paintings","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/?p=1958389","title":{"rendered":"Queer Figures Commune with Nature in J Carino\u2019s Dynamic Paintings"},"content":{"rendered":"<div class=\"entry-content prose-colossal max-w-none\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-group alignfull is-style-default entry-header is-vertical is-layout-flex wp-container-core-group-is-layout-fe9cc265 wp-block-group-is-layout-flex\">\n<figure class=\"colo-post-featured-image wp-block-post-featured-image\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"2000\" height=\"1460\" src=\"https:\/\/www.thisiscolossal.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/carino-4.jpg\" class=\"attachment-post-thumbnail size-post-thumbnail wp-post-image\" alt=\"a painting of a nude man and tree hybrid in a meadow by J Carino\" style=\"object-fit:cover\"><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">\u201cFallen.\u201d All images courtesy of J Carino, shared with permission<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<div class=\"wp-block-group post-title is-vertical is-layout-flex wp-container-core-group-is-layout-0bc941e6 wp-block-group-is-layout-flex\">\n<h1 class=\"alignfull wp-block-post-title\">Queer Figures Commune with Nature in J Carino\u2019s Dynamic Paintings<\/h1>\n<div class=\"wp-block-group alignfull post-meta is-layout-flex wp-block-group-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-post-date\"><time datetime=\"2026-05-27T10:30:00-05:00\">May 27, 2026<\/time><\/div>\n<div class=\"taxonomy-category wp-block-post-terms\"><a class=\"category-art\" href=\"https:\/\/www.thisiscolossal.com\/category\/art\/\" rel=\"tag\">Art<\/a><\/div>\n<div class=\"wp-block-post-author-name\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.thisiscolossal.com\/author\/gebert\/\" target=\"_self\" class=\"wp-block-post-author-name__link\">Grace Ebert<\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"wp-block-group alignfull post-share-group is-layout-flow wp-block-group-is-layout-flow\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-group is-nowrap is-layout-flex wp-container-core-group-is-layout-6c531013 wp-block-group-is-layout-flex\">\n<ul class=\"wp-block-outermost-social-sharing has-visible-labels has-icon-color is-style-logos-only is-layout-flex wp-block-outermost-social-sharing-is-layout-flex\">\n<li style=\"color: #1c1e0d\" class=\"outermost-social-sharing-link outermost-social-sharing-link-facebook has-crow-color wp-block-outermost-social-sharing-link\">\n\t<a href=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/sharer\/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.thisiscolossal.com%2F2026%2F05%2Fartist-j-carino-queerness-nature-paintings%2F&amp;title=Queer%20Figures%20Commune%20with%20Nature%20in%20J%20Carino%27s%20Dynamic%20Paintings\" aria-label=\"Share\" rel=\"noopener nofollow\" target=\"_blank\" class=\"wp-block-outermost-social-sharing-link-anchor\"><br \/>\n\t\t\t\t<span class=\"wp-block-outermost-social-sharing-link-label \"><br \/>\n\t\t\tShare\t\t<\/span><br \/>\n\t<\/a>\n<\/li>\n<li style=\"color: #1c1e0d\" class=\"outermost-social-sharing-link outermost-social-sharing-link-mail has-crow-color wp-block-outermost-social-sharing-link\">\n\t<a href=\"https:\/\/www.thisiscolossal.com\/cdn-cgi\/l\/email-protection#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\" aria-label=\"Email\" class=\"wp-block-outermost-social-sharing-link-anchor\"><br \/>\n\t\t\t\t<span class=\"wp-block-outermost-social-sharing-link-label \"><br \/>\n\t\t\tEmail\t\t<\/span><br \/>\n\t<\/a>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><button class=\"simplefavorite-button preset\" data-postid=\"474311\" data-siteid=\"1\" data-groupid=\"1\" data-favoritecount=\"0\"><i class=\"sf-icon-bookmark\"><\/i>Bookmark<\/button>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p>\u201cColor, for me, is a heightened reality,\u201d says <a href=\"https:\/\/www.jcarinoart.com\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">J Carino<\/a>. Through palettes rooted in a dynamic dance between earth and jewel tones, the artist renders lush scenes in which nude figures commune with nature. A sturdy back buttresses a fallen tree, chests and limbs peek through a summer meadow, and a muscular grip cradles a small mule amid a raging flood. Blocks of color and gestural brushstrokes characterize each composition, which question what we deem natural and innate.<\/p>\n<p>The intimacies of queer life figure prominently in Carino\u2019s work, which layers bodies and organic motifs into dense expanses. He employs a variety of source materials that range from renderings of live models and videos of himself to nature studies and plein air drawings in pastels, the latter of which often inform his color palettes. \u201cTypically, my work begins with observation of nature. It might be a fallen tree, a particular animal or plant that I then make drawings of,\u201d he adds.<\/p>\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.thisiscolossal.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/carino-9.jpg\" class=\"swipebox\" data-rel=\"lightbox-gallery-474311\" title=\"\u201cFlood\u201d\" data-rl_title=\"\u201cFlood\u201d\" data-rl_caption=\"\u201cFlood\u201d\"><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" width=\"2000\" height=\"2001\" src=\"https:\/\/www.thisiscolossal.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/carino-9.jpg\" alt=\"a painting by J Carino of a nude figure with a small donkey in nature, rendered with blocks of color and gestural brushstrokes\" class=\"wp-image-474319\"><\/a><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">\u201cFlood\u201d<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>Researching the historical and cultural symbols associated with these organic forms follows, while allowing connections between objects and motifs to emerge spontaneously as he works. \u201cI see patterns as a kind of personal language to symbolize larger concepts and themes that I can then weave together into different narratives,\u201d the artist tells Colossal. \u201cThere is a collage-like aesthetic to my work that reflects these different pieces coming together.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>From biblical floods to determined donkeys to autumnal leaves, the elements that comprise Carino\u2019s paintings touch on questions of desire, paradise, and queerness through human connection to the natural world. Even when disaster strikes, there\u2019s an overwhelming sense of beauty and resilience, bolstered by both physical strength and deep bonds with one another. <\/p>\n<p>Carino recently relocated to London, and he will start a master\u2019s program at the Royal College of Art this fall. If you\u2019re in Los Angeles, his work will be part of a group exhibition opening in early June at <a href=\"https:\/\/www.albertzbenda.com\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Albertz Benda<\/a>. Otherwise, find more on <a href=\"https:\/\/www.jcarinoart.com\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">his website<\/a> and <a href=\"https:\/\/www.instagram.com\/j.carino.art\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Instagram<\/a>.<\/p>\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.thisiscolossal.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/carino-10.jpg\" class=\"swipebox\" data-rel=\"lightbox-gallery-474311\" title=\"\u201cAmerican Progress\u201d\" data-rl_title=\"\u201cAmerican Progress\u201d\" data-rl_caption=\"\u201cAmerican Progress\u201d\"><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" width=\"2000\" height=\"1994\" src=\"https:\/\/www.thisiscolossal.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/carino-10.jpg\" alt=\"a painting by J Carino of nude figures in a forested setting, rendered with blocks of color and gestural brushstrokes\" class=\"wp-image-474320\"><\/a><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">\u201cAmerican Progress\u201d<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.thisiscolossal.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/carino-2.jpg\" class=\"swipebox\" data-rel=\"lightbox-gallery-474311\" title=\"\u201cTyrant\u201d\" data-rl_title=\"\u201cTyrant\u201d\" data-rl_caption=\"\u201cTyrant\u201d\"><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" width=\"2000\" height=\"2135\" src=\"https:\/\/www.thisiscolossal.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/carino-2.jpg\" alt=\"a painting by J Carino of a nude figure in nature, rendered with blocks of color and gestural brushstrokes\" class=\"wp-image-474313\"><\/a><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">\u201cTyrant\u201d<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.thisiscolossal.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/carino-6.jpg\" class=\"swipebox\" data-rel=\"lightbox-gallery-474311\" title=\"\u201cCarrying Beauty\u201d\" data-rl_title=\"\u201cCarrying Beauty\u201d\" data-rl_caption=\"\u201cCarrying Beauty\u201d\"><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" width=\"2000\" height=\"2637\" src=\"https:\/\/www.thisiscolossal.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/carino-6.jpg\" alt=\"a painting by J Carino of a nude figure in nature, rendered with blocks of color and gestural brushstrokes\" class=\"wp-image-474316\"><\/a><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">\u201cCarrying Beauty\u201d<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.thisiscolossal.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/carino-11.jpg\" class=\"swipebox\" data-rel=\"lightbox-gallery-474311\" title=\"\u201cCan\u2019t Take the Roots\u201d\" data-rl_title=\"\u201cCan\u2019t Take the Roots\u201d\" data-rl_caption=\"\u201cCan\u2019t Take the Roots\u201d\"><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" width=\"2000\" height=\"2984\" src=\"https:\/\/www.thisiscolossal.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/carino-11.jpg\" alt=\"a painting by J Carino of a nude figure with a tree in nature, rendered with blocks of color and gestural brushstrokes\" class=\"wp-image-474321\"><\/a><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">\u201cCan\u2019t Take the Roots\u201d<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.thisiscolossal.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/carino-7.jpg\" class=\"swipebox\" data-rel=\"lightbox-gallery-474311\" title=\"\u201cEverything is Golden\u201d\" data-rl_title=\"\u201cEverything is Golden\u201d\" data-rl_caption=\"\u201cEverything is Golden\u201d\"><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" width=\"2000\" height=\"2540\" src=\"https:\/\/www.thisiscolossal.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/carino-7.jpg\" alt=\"a painting by J Carino of two men embracing in nature, rendered with blocks of color and gestural brushstrokes\" class=\"wp-image-474317\"><\/a><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">\u201cEverything is Golden\u201d<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.thisiscolossal.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/carino-8.jpg\" class=\"swipebox\" data-rel=\"lightbox-gallery-474311\" title=\"\u201cEden\u201d\" data-rl_title=\"\u201cEden\u201d\" data-rl_caption=\"\u201cEden\u201d\"><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" width=\"2000\" height=\"2004\" src=\"https:\/\/www.thisiscolossal.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/carino-8.jpg\" alt=\"a painting by J Carino of nude figures in a forested water setting, rendered with blocks of color and gestural brushstrokes\" class=\"wp-image-474318\"><\/a><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">\u201cEden\u201d<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.thisiscolossal.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/carino-3.jpg\" class=\"swipebox\" data-rel=\"lightbox-gallery-474311\" title=\"\u201cThe Last Raven\u201d\" data-rl_title=\"\u201cThe Last Raven\u201d\" data-rl_caption=\"\u201cThe Last Raven\u201d\"><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" width=\"2000\" height=\"2699\" src=\"https:\/\/www.thisiscolossal.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/carino-3.jpg\" alt=\"a painting by J Carino of nude figures in a lush meadow, rendered with blocks of color and gestural brushstrokes\" class=\"wp-image-474314\"><\/a><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">\u201cThe Last Raven\u201d<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<aside class=\"after-entry\" role=\"complementary\" aria-label=\"After Entry\">\n<section id=\"block-16\" class=\"widget widget_block widget_text\">\n<p><mark style=\"background-color:#88caf0\" class=\"has-inline-color\"><strong>Do stories and artists like this matter to you?<\/strong><\/mark> Become a <a href=\"https:\/\/www.thisiscolossal.com\/members\/\" data-type=\"page\" data-id=\"118516\">Colossal Member<\/a> now, and support independent arts publishing.<\/p>\n<\/section>\n<section id=\"block-17\" class=\"widget widget_block\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-columns are-vertically-aligned-top 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Through palettes rooted in a dynamic dance between earth and jewel tones, the artist renders lush [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[1],"tags":[226,270],"class_list":["post-1958389","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-uncategorized","tag-crawlmanager","tag-thisiscolossal-com"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1958389","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=1958389"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1958389\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=1958389"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=1958389"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=1958389"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}