CARINA’S ARTIST BIO

Carina Tenaglia is a self-taught abstract artist living in the Washington, D.C. metro area. Her work is inspired by natural and artificial elements, neutral palettes, metallic accents, and themes of social justice.  

Carina aims to capture depth and light in each piece, as well as unique textural elements. Most of Carina’s pieces contain many layers, and combine various techniques and patterns.

MY ARTIST STATEMENT

I’m a self-taught artist who has spent years refining my practice through hands-on exploration and a deep commitment to the creative process. My work centers around textured abstract paintings, where emotion, intuition, and material become intertwined in layered, expressive forms. I primarily work with acrylics, watercolors, and oil pastels—mediums that allow me to build rich, tactile surfaces and convey a sense of depth and movement.

Each piece I create is intended to be more than just an aesthetic painting—it’s a sensory experience. Each piece sparks a conversation between texture, color, and space. I’m drawn to the way abstract work invites personal interpretation, allowing each viewer to find something uniquely meaningful in it. I also incorporate my own meanings through collection themes and painting names, among other elements.

As an artist, I also believe in using my practice to contribute to a greater purpose. A portion of the proceeds from each sale is donated to nonprofit organizations that support social justice initiatives and humanitarian efforts. For collectors, this means that acquiring my work is not only an investment in original, handcrafted art—but also in positive social impact.

Whether a painting becomes a centerpiece in your home or part of a growing collection, I hope it brings both visual inspiration and a deeper connection to the world it reflects.

IN CASE YOU’RE STILL CURIOUS…

I can’t remember a time growing up when I wasn’t creating something - whether drawing a poster, painting at a local summer camp, or trying my hand at photography - I was always up to something creative. Needless to say, my love for art runs deep, and I’m thankful for the opportunity I have to keep creating pieces in these special “in between” moments in life.

After a few years of painting and selling pieces to friends and family around the holidays, I finally decided to take the biggest leap of faith in June 2018. Today, I create a mix of abstract paintings, calligraphy-based goods, and small bespoke personalized items.

Like many other creatives, I have a separate full-time career. I work as an attorney and love juggling legal, intellectual challenges and creative challenges. In my free time I love to hike, re-watch Law & Order SVU, The Office, and documentaries, listen to true crime podcasts, and eat delicious food. You can usually find me at home or out in nature with my husband Ian and our Aussie-Lab mix, Luna.

In 2020, I started feeling drawn to ways I could help use my art and business to achieve a more meaningful purpose. Starting with my Cherry Blossom collection in the Spring of 2020, I began instituting a regular commitment to donate funds to local organizations promoting social justice initiatives, such as support for victims of domestic violence. One of my latest collections, the Humanity Collection, resulted in over $500 being donated to organizations supporting the Black Lives Matter movement, as well as educational and legal resources for the Black community. I’ve also donated to organizations like the Capital Area Food Bank, NAACP Legal Defense Fund, Loveland Foundation, Legal Aid of DC, Arlington-Alexandria Coalition for the Homeless, and more. Together, we have raised nearly $7,000 for various charitable causes since 2020!

To-date, my work has been featured in hotels like WhyHotel and Sonesta, and retailers like West Elm. My work is available for licensing and wholesale opportunities upon request.

I’m currently accepting commissions for 2024. Please fill out a commission request form to reserve your spot! Otherwise, feel free to send me an e-mail via carina@carinatenaglia.com to learn more about the commission process, pricing, and timeline.

Thanks for dropping by! I look forward to connecting with you.