I'm Karin Giannini

I was raised in Phoenix, Arizona by parents who were teachers. They moved us to Phoenix in 1961 from Chicago when I was one year old. I’m eternally grateful for that move, because growing up in the Sonoran Desert has been a blessing! The sun, the desert aromas, and our gorgeous sunsets!

I attended Arizona State University where I received a Bachelors of Science Degree in Environmental Engineering in 1999. This after raising a daughter as a single Mom and working my tail off to move up the corporate ladder. I did pursue a very linear career path, but I have always had a strong creative side. I love interior designand architecture and am drawn to bold color and how light hits form. 

After I retired in 2016 from engineering, I found I had a love of l drawing and painting. I took online art courses but after ten years I wasn't improving as an artist and I wanted to. I wondered what my purpose was now that raising my child and a career were behind me? I DID realize that I’m NOT one to actually retire. I’m not wired that way.

In 2024, I had an epiphany. I said to myself....“if I’m going to spend the next five years doing what I’ve been doing the last five, I’m going to shrivel up and fade away, and that’s not going to work for me.” I had to evolve. In September 2024, I found Elli Milan at Milan Art Institute who told me that anyone can learn to paint. I believed her because I believe in ME. I immediately began the Mastery Program and I am forever changed! If you would like to learn more about MILAN ART INSTITUTE click here.

I have been at the easel nearly every day since then! My artistic style is Abstract Realism, which is my interpretation of something real that dissipates into abstraction. I sometimes veer into more realism and sometimes surrealism. I am known for portraiture of women. I often include nature using bold color and high contrast while revealing six decades of myself on each canvas. I LOVE painting the strength of the feminine psyche, because that’s what I know.