Rinaldo was born in Croatia. As a young artist he began to draw and paint the picturesque surroundings of his homeland. He moved to the United States with his family and continued to draw inspiration from the old towns and fishing boats he remembers from Croatia. In 1975, he entered a contest which earned him a full scholarship with the Art Instruction School of Minneapolis. It was indeed an honor as Skalamera was selected as a winner from thousands of applicants throughout the United States, Canada, and Europe. After successfully completing his academic requirements, Skalamera began his professional career as a freelance illustrator.

He has drawn and painted everything from electronics to dogs and corporate executives. But it is his native homeland of Croatia which infuses him with a creative spirit few can equal. A master of realism, Skalamera’s paintings also communicate emotion. With precision he translates familiar subjects onto canvas with a unique perspective, orchestrated by the delicacy of his brushstrokes and the subtle hues of his palette.

Skalamera has refined his skills as an artist by attending the Fashion Institute of Technology where he studied fashion illustration and fine arts, and later, at the Art Students League in New York. He is a permanent member of the American Society of Marine Artists. He has earned numerous awards and his works have been published in Playbill, Quest, Chicago Social, Arts & Antiques, Worth Ave., Dan’s Papers, East Hampton Star, Town & Country, and many others.

Rinaldo Skalamera’s large scale studio paintings create a first-hand experience for the viewer,  putting them right on board of his meticulously painted boats. A sense of the dramatic moment combined with thorough research and attention to detail, has found considerable appeal - his paintings are included in many private and corporate collections in the United States, Croatia, and Italy.