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Carina Francioso
Carina Francioso was born in Ontario, Canada
"I want my paintings to convey the beauty and power of the seas and oceans in all their moments and forms. These different states of water really depict our culture and reflect our daily lives and emotions with all their ebbs and flows. At times our lives are serene, fluid and calm, and other times they are stormy, chaotic and filled with confusion. I strive to highlight and express the vastness of water through my large scale canvases or wood panels as they heighten the memory of the experience and bring it to life. My dream as an artist is to evoke emotion and leave it up to the viewer to have their own personal experience with each piece I create. I have learned that water is life and without it, we wouldn't be here today. Water connects us to nature and connects all of us around the world. I focus on the beauty of water because what we focus on is where our energy flows. By depicting the beauty and magnificence of water I hope to bring about a deeper conversation regarding water conservation and protection." - Carina Francioso
EDUCATION
2006 - 2010 BFA, Bachelor of Arts (Dean’s Honours List) - Honours Fine Art Major
- Minor in the Italian Language
TRAINING
STUDIO SPECIALIZATION - University of Waterloo, Waterloo, ON
DRAWING AND PAINTING - Queens University Enrichment Program, Kingston, ON
DRAWING TECHNIQUES WITH LAURA URQUHART,
Homer Watson House and Gallery, Kitchener, ON
- composition, patterning, perspective, light and shadow tone gradation
SELECTED EXHIBITIONS
2019 VISIONS, ARCADIA CONTEMPORARY, Pasadena, California, USA
2017 OUT OF THE BOX, ArtsPay, The Walper Hotel, Kitchener, ON
ICAP (Italian-Canadian Archives Project), Art Gallery of Guelph, Guelph, ON
2016 COLLIDEOSCOPE: A COLLISION OF ART WORLDS, The Gladstone Hotel, Toronto, ON
2013 MAGGIO ARTISTICO, The Italian Cortina Club, Kitchener, ON
2012 BEST OF 2011, First Canadian Place Gallery, Toronto, ON
TALENT NEXT DOOR, Exhibition Showcase, Kitchener, ON
2011 SUNNYSIDE JURIED ART SHOW, Toronto, ON
CUBE GALLERY, Kitchener City Hall, Kitchener, ON
TORONTO OUTDOOR ART EXHIBITION (TOAE), Nathan Phillips Square, Toronto, ON
2010 MAGGIO ARTISTICO, The Italian Cortina Club, Kitchener, ON
RELATIVE PROXIMITY, University of Waterloo Art Gallery, Waterloo, ON
SYMPOSIUM, University of Guelph, Exchange show, Guelph, ON
SILENT ART AUCTION, The Artery, Kitchener, ON, Fundraiser
BRUSH WITH ART, Solo display, Psychology Department, University of Waterloo, Waterloo, ON
SELECTED PRIVATE COMMISSIONS/COLLECTORS
Works held in private collections in Canada, U.S.A. and across Europe.
AWARDS/SCHOLARSHIPS/CERTIFICATES
2019 POUCH COVE FOUNDATION ARTIST RESIDENCY AWARD, Newfoundland
2019 ARTS & CULTURAL RECOGNITION AWARD, The City of Cambridge, On.
2018 ARCADIA CONTEMPORARY GALLERY AWARD, Art Renewal Centre, Pasadena, CA
BERNICE ADAMS MEMORIAL VISUAL ARTS AWARD, Cambridge, On.
2012 TALENT NEXT DOOR VOL.2, Honourable Mention – Book of Artists
2011 PRIME PEOPLE’S CHOICE AWARD, Toronto Outdoor Art Exhibition (TOAE), Toronto, On.
CUBE GALLERY, Honorarium Artist, Kitchener City Hall, Kitchener, On.
2010 TALENT NEXT DOOR VOL.1, Honourable Mention – Book of Artists, Kitchener, On.
DEANS HONOURS LIST, University of Waterloo, Waterloo, On.
2009 PAPER AND PENCIL PRIZE IN DRAWING, University of Waterloo, On.
JOCELYN COWAN ENDOWED AWARD in painting, University of Waterloo, On.
2007 THE CANADIAN FEDERATION OF UNIVERSITY WOMEN, Academic Scholarship,
Cambridge, On.
VOLUNTEER WORK
• Anthony Robbins - Event Safety Team
• Teaching Assistant, Visual Arts Class, Monsignor Doyle High school, Cambridge, On.
• Maggio Artistico Art Exhibition Committee, Co-Chair
• Children’s Wish Foundation- painter/decorator/muralist, Cambridge, On.
PUBLICATIONS
2019 GRAND MAGAZINE, Outdoors Issue, Waterloo Region, On.
AMERICAN ART COLLECTOR MAGAZINE, February Issue #106, Editor: Joshua Rose,
page 123. ISBN: 0928102541
AL DI LÀ DEL MARE (Beyond the Sea), Cover & Illustrations, Anna Ciardullo Villapiana,
Publisher: I Rumori dell' Anima, Rome, Italy. ISBN: 9788899116361
2018/19 HYPERREALISM MAGAZINE, ISSUES #4,5,6.
2018 ART RENEWAL CENTER (ARC) 13th International ARC Salon Catalog, co-published by ACC
Art Books (formerly Antique Collector's Club), Port Reading, NJ
CAMBRIDGE ARTIST RIDING A WAVE OF SUCCESS by Bill Doucet, Cambridge Times
https://www.cambridgetimes.ca/whatson-story/8916334-cambridge-artist-riding-a-wave-of-success/
GRAND MAGAZINE, Arts & Entertainment Issue, Article by Kathryn Storring, Waterloo Region
2016 COLLIDEOSCOPE: A COLLISION OF ART WORLDS, The Toronto Star & Star Touch,
featured works and artists/guests, Toronto, On.
2015 THE TRANSFORMATIVE POWER OF POETRY: AN EMERGING VOICE ON THE
ITALIAN-CANADIAN LITERARY LANDSCAPE, featured artworks, SOLEIL Publishing Inc.
p.337-356, Welland, On.
FRAMMENTI DI LUCE, Cover & Illustrations, Anna Ciardullo Villapiana
Pandora Press, Waterloo, On.
2012 TALENT NEXT DOOR: Cambridge and Guelph (Volume 2)
2010 TALENT NEXT DOOR: Waterloo and Area (Volume 1), Publisher: CreateSpace, Author: Craig
Musselman
2009 CORRIERE CANADESE, The Canadian Italian Daily Newspaper, Toronto, On.
FOREIGN LANGUAGE
Italian
ORGANIZATIONAL AFFILIATIONS/MEMBERSHIPS
Canadian Artists’ Representation/Le Front des artistes canadiens (CARFAC)
Arts Pay, artspay.org
Visual Arts Ontario
Artist Quotes & Thoughts
“Art is my passion, it makes me so happy… but perhaps it is my happiness that creates the art.”
“As an artist, I work with my hands but always strive to work from the heart!”
“At the end of the day all that matters is not what you have, but the gifts you share with the world, the way you make people feel, the person you are; that essence that blooms from the inside out.”
“Death reminds us what we’re living for… because of you, my WHY is stronger than ever.”
“Do your work, offer it to the world.
Stay humble with your desire to share.
Give all of yourself to your gifts in service.
Do not half-ass it because people will know
and you will respect yourself less.
If you want to change then stop talking about it, start living it, make yourself proud
and one day, if and when you do have
a family, your children will aspire to be like you
because you kept your word and will strong.
Can you fathom that? Never underestimate the power of word, feeling, thanks and prayer
even if you don’t know who you are praying to.
Magic happens when attention is given to what is wanted. Chasing after anything will bring you nothing.
Be patient and trust the unfolding.
Be grateful for the changes
even when it feels like BREAKING!
Be grateful for the failures and the obstacles.
Be grateful for the teachers and the lessons.
Hold your own heart high instead of searching outside for reassurance or confidence.
Be a rock in your own convictions.
Because you are the only one that knows
the answers to your questions.”
“Have you ever reached for something that seemed so real but was just a beautiful illusion? I have realized that discernment becomes your number one friend as you rise in life because the great, the bad & the ugly will all come to you. The journey of discerning what is best for you is never-ending… Life comes with illusions and #ART is the most beautiful one.”
“I think art is about the willingness to let go… to let go of judgments I may have or think others will have towards me and my work. Letting go of a strict outcome or how you thought something would turn out and instead embracing every moment along the way… I think creating ART can teach us much about living life more ease-fully!”
“I trusted the stars and they took me places.”
“I’m working with even more detail – striving for #realism with my own painterly touch.”
“I’ve been contemplating a lot lately: the subject of my work, water and its connection to everything, my life, my journey as an artist and person, the vastness of the unknown and sometimes my discomfort with it. My art has always taught me one special thing – ‘be here now’. Being near the lake, sea or ocean has offered me this same gift of presence. I guess that’s what I’m desiring to share through my artwork right now.”
“Life is a gift
we have the opportunity and privilege
to share and give a piece of ourselves
to become more than who we once were
to turn our deepest pains
into our greatest, most powerful gifts
and those gifts will reach the right people
because they are created with truth and heart
This burning desire will never cease 🌊
Life is a gift.”
“My art has taken me to places I’ve never been!… I am so in love with this craft.”
“No one can create what you can create.
Something from nothing.
Don’t be daring enough to win.
Be daring enough to become better
than who you were yesterday.
On all levels.”
“Part of my vision as an #artist has always been to share my work with as many people as I can, in the hopes that it ripples out and brings joy, beauty, and inspiration to others. Isn’t that why we are all here…to create and share?”
“The way we color our minds with thoughts is the same way we color our lives. We decide how bright we want our lives to be, who we want to shine with, and share with. My art has always been about sharing beauty with the world. Although my colors may not be the same as yours, one thing I know for certain is that our gifts are meant to be shared!”
“This universe takes nothing from us. It gives its beauty and its fruits and asks nothing in return. I want to wake up every day and smile at its sun and bathe in its waters and feel grateful for its gifts.”
“Water does not resist. Water flows. When you plunge your hand into it, all you feel is a caress. Water is not a solid wall, it will not stop you. But water always goes where it wants to go, and nothing, in the end, can stand against it. Water is patient. Dripping water wears away a stone. Remember that, my child. Remember you are half water. If you can’t go through an obstacle, go around it. Water does.”
~Margaret Atwood, The Penelopiad
“What would we do without clean water? Well, there are many countries that go without it, many women and children who have to walk for hours to find clean water and bring it home to their families. My goal with these works is to not only capture water’s beauty but also to bring awareness to the preservation, protection, and availability of our clean waters and to the TIME it takes to create beauty & positive change!”
“When a person decides not to be defined by what they do or create, magic happens, doors open, your eyes brighten, your work becomes service and an extension of you. And I’m talking about the doors you once dreamt about as a child. I’m talking about the smile or laughter that lights up a room. I’m talking about the you who has nothing to prove. You see, the world only sees you, as you see yourself.
People ask where my inspiration comes from.
It comes from intentionally creating it.
It comes from my perspective on life.
It comes from living the way I want to.
It comes from doing what I love.
It comes from the people around me and deciding to feel every moment.
Stop living in boxes and acting as though you have a million other lives to live, (only one☝🏻), this one. Start creating intentionally…”
Blog - Is It Real? by Kammy Hodges
Magazine Article Cambridge Times September 21, 2018, by Bill Doucet
Online Article & Photo Shoot Heidi Black Photography
YouTube Videos: Collection of Carina Francioso Videos
© 2020 All Artwork Carina Francioso
