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Ethereal Landscapes by Karina Bania

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

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 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

Breathe \\\ 46 1/2″ x 55″ acrylic, dye, ink on raw canvas

Staying Afloat \\\ 24" x 30" acrylic, pigment, dye 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

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

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

Inward Reflection \\\ 11″ x 14″ acrylic, pigment, dye, spray paint on raw canvas

Karina Bania in her studio

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.

Jaime Derringer, Founder + Executive Editor of Design Milk, is a Jersey girl living in SoCal. She dreams about funky, artistic jewelry + having enough free time to enjoy some of her favorite things—running, reading, making music, and drawing.