San Diego, CA-based artist Karina Bania studied business in school but decided that her life should take a different turn after she picked up a paintbrush. Karina takes the colors and shapes she sees around her in nature and abstracts them, using white space to her advantages. Her combination of earthy tones, subtle geometric shapes, messy organic brush strokes, and subtle movement and overlapping of marks create an interesting dialogue on the canvas. I especially love that she is inspired by things that are unseen, un-communicated, and unspoken.
Alms \\\ 24” x 24″ acrylic, dye, collage on canvas
She was always in motion, letting conversations float through the air \\\ 36 x 28” acrylic, dye, pastel, graphite on raw canvas
She creates what she calls “breathing room” or “air” in her paintings, which represent the air and space around us. It brings an interesting energy to her paintings and allows the eye to rest. Lately, she has been experimenting with new canvas materials, painting on everything from plastic to denim to speaker fabric—I admire her willingness to simply see what happens.
Breathe \\\ 46 1/2″ x 55″ acrylic, dye, ink on raw canvas
Staying Afloat \\\ 24″ x 30″ acrylic, pigment, dye on raw canvas
Wanderings I & II \\\ 30″ x 22″ acrylic, pigment, collage on paper
Through the Light I & II \\\ 36” x 36” acrylic, dye, oil crayon on sewn plastic & raw canvas
Inward Reflection \\\ 11″ x 14″ acrylic, pigment, dye, spray paint on raw canvas
Karina Bania in her studio
You can find Karina online and Instagram, and check her out in the upcoming Dual show at Sea Contemporary Art Space Opening 5/19 in Seaside, FL and this Fall at a solo show at Kettle & Stone in San Diego.
