Carina Francioso - Art Has Always Been A Very Predominant Element In My Life (Artist)

Art is what people turn to after a hard day's work. Whether that be music, fine art, film, theatre etc., it is what inspires our souls and what influences the world.

1. Tell us about your background and journey.

My name is Carina Francioso and I am a Canadian visual artist specializing in contemporary realist oil painting. I grew up in Ontario, Canada and also spent a lot of my time at our family home in Salento, Italy.


2. How and when did you realize your passion for visual arts?

I have always been passionate about anything artistic. Art has always been a very predominant element in my life; I come from a long line of artists and musicians, therefore it was only natural for me to gravitate towards a more artistic career. 

After taking many art courses as a child and excelling in high school art classes, I decided to continue my studies, completing a 4-year Honours degree in Studio Specialization from the University of Waterloo. Since then I have made it my purpose to share more beauty with the world through my art.


3. What role does the artist have in society?

Art is the platform of the world. I feel honoured to be a part of that in my own unique way. Art is what people turn to after a hard day's work. Whether that be music, fine art, film, theatre etc., it is what inspires our souls and what influences the world.


4. Describe your favourite visual effect from a movie. Why do you like it? 

This is such a great question and something I never really thought of! The first thing that came to mind was the crazy wave scene from the film “The Perfect Storm”. There’s something very scary yet wondrous about the open, powerful waters and that intrigues me. 

I also love the beautiful, awe-inspiring waterfall and light visual effects in “Avatar”, they are dreamlike!


5. What do you think is the best method to review visuals for corrections? And What is your favourite software to work with? 

The only software I use to look at some of my source imagery before I start painting is Photoshop. It helps me crop compositions and enhance colours to give me an idea of what I want to paint. 

I think the best method to review paintings for corrections is using the human eye and sometimes taking some time away from the painting and returning with a fresh view. This has helped me critique and correct my work.


6. What is the one piece of advice that you would give to aspiring visual artists?

Make your work the real reward. Not the recognition, not the awards, not the approval of others. You being proud of the work you’re creating is the best reward, so work hard and be patient.


- Carina Francioso (Artist)

Carina Francioso is an internationally recognized, award-winning Canadian fine artist with works held in private and corporate collections around the globe. Her meticulous attention to detail is clearly demonstrated through her contemporary realist oil paintings.

Carina is the recipient of the 2019 Arcadia Contemporary Gallery Award, the Bernice Adams Memorial Visual Arts Award and Bursary, among several others. Her work has been featured in various magazines such as American Art Collector, GRAND Magazine, Art Renewal Center’s International Realism Salon Catalog, Hyperrealism Magazine and Panoram Italia.

Website: www.carinafrancioso.com
Instagram: www.instagram.com/artistcarina


Interviewed By Akshaya Rathinavadivel