As the new year unfolds, we highlight Claudia Chanin, the Principal Designer and Artist. She stands as a testament to the boundless potential of creative evolution. Her journey from architecture to painting celebrates courage, reinvention, and the enduring power of art to connect and transform.
Claudia Chanin was born in Arlington, VA, and earned her architecture degree at the University of Monterrey in Monterrey, Mexico. After beginning her career designing residential and commercial buildings in Monterrey, she relocated to the United States to continue her work in architecture.
As the principal of NOMA Studio, a boutique architectural firm in the Rio Grande Valley, Claudia has built a reputation as a talented contemporary designer with over 20 years of experience. Her work spans residential and commercial projects and is grounded in her strong understanding of space, structure, and aesthetics.
Recently, Claudia rediscovered her passion for painting, embracing it as a profound means of self-expression — a lens through which she explores self-discovery and translates her experiences into visual narratives. Each stroke on the canvas reflects memory, emotion, and personal growth, drawing from her architectural background and the interplay of movement, light, and shadow.
“My journey with painting began when I was 9 years old, a transformative experience that transported me to an almost meditative, Zen-like space. For nearly four decades, the desire to return to that creative sanctuary lingered, waiting for the right moment. This year, I embraced the courage to paint again, reigniting a passion that feels familiar and entirely new.”
In her process, Claudia pushes beyond the limitations of flat surfaces. Texture and dimensionality are key to her work, as she experiments with extrusions and bold, dynamic forms that invite visual and tactile engagement.
“My work is deeply informed by my architectural background, where I engage with the interplay of movement, light and shadow. I aim to capture not just the physicality of a moment, but the essence of its emotional resonance — a fleeting memory, a cherished view, a space that holds meaning.”
Believing in the transformative power of color, she infuses her pieces with bright, vivid hues to evoke emotion and draw viewers deeper into the story.
“Flat paint alone cannot fully express the depth of the spaces I love — through my use of texture, I create an experience that is as immersive as it is expressive.”
Her art is ultimately a celebration of the moments and places that have left an indelible mark on her life — a reflection of love, light, beauty, and transformation. It serves as an invitation for others to connect with their own experiences through her work.
“I view painting as a profound means of self-expression, a lens through which I explore self-discovery and translate experiences into visual narratives. Each stroke on the canvas is an exploration of memory, emotion, and personal growth, reflecting the many layers of life that have shaped who I am.”
Claudia’s pieces have been exhibited at various venues and Art Shows, including a juried show at the International Museum of McAllen and most recently at the “Art at the Ranch” event this past November. She also showcases her art at her interior design showroom, CC& Co., where her vibrant and textured creations engage viewers in her journey.
Claudia invites us to see the world as it is and could be — vivid, dynamic, and deeply personal through her textured canvases and visionary designs. Her work reminds us that art, in all its forms, reflects our shared humanity and expresses hope for what lies ahead.
With each stroke, design, and space she creates, Claudia continues to craft a legacy that bridges the realms of structure and soul. She inspires us all to embrace our creative journeys in the year.
