And within the terrifyingly vast landscape known as the internet, I looked on as an entire culture turned away from face-to-face communication. Intimacy became cybersex, and true identities were replaced by ideal or false personas, yet we still long to connect. These themes emerged in my figurative paintings and continue to inspire my work today.” Although Kaleda uses software to simulate elements of conventional painting, his technique breaks tradition in many ways, including the use of graphic shapes and patterns as brushes, and creating his own digital models as subjects. Painting with the computer also allows an infinite number of variations with the ability to return to different stages of the process. While technology plays a prominent role in Kaleda’s creations, the human factor remains paramount in both his themes and end results:  “In terms of digital painting in general, the basic process is that I interpret the world and the computer interprets my input. Ultimately, the final decisions are mine. The paradoxical truth is that the "power" of digital art, and using technology to make art, will always rely on the human element. My work is both an example and an expression of this.” Kaleda began incorporating QR codes into his paintings in 2010. In addition to blurring the line between art and commodity, these codes serve many different functions within Kaleda’s work. Offering an interactive experience, QR codes provide viewers with additional information to deepen understanding about a given painting. In some instances, the codes serve as a stamp or symbol of authorship – much like a modernized Asian chop or seal (East Asia). One painting called “Fetish” uses the codes themselves as paint brushes. According to Kaleda:  “As a condensed digital representation of information (or a message), these codes have a natural place within the language and fabric of my work.”