Hey, I’m Karina.
I am a multidisciplinary artist and art educator that’s passionate about community and arts.
My Philosophy
Identity
I identify as both an artist and a teacher, and these two identities shape the heart of my practice. Being an artist means observing deeply, feeling intentionally, and expressing honestly. Being a teacher means guiding others toward those same capacities. I believe identity matters because students bring their experiences, backgrounds, and personal stories into the art they create, and honoring that individuality is essential to helping them grow.
Inclusion
A safe learning environment begins with inclusion. I want my classroom to be a space where all students feel respected, supported, and free to express themselves without fear of judgment. Emotional safety and kind communication are just as important as artistic skills. When students know they belong, they become more willing to take risks, try new techniques, and share their ideas openly. Inclusion is the foundation that allows creativity to flourish.
Growth
My teaching emphasizes a growth mindset, where mistakes are not failures but steps in the creative process. I encourage students to communicate their frustrations, reflect on their progress, and understand that improvement comes from practice and exploration. Growth is not linear, but teaching students to trust their process helps them thrive as artists and as people.
-
![]()
Art Educator
For all ages
-
![]()
3+ Years of Design Experience
Across web, mobile, and print
-
![]()
Artist
Multiple mediums, from personal to commissions
Lesson Plan: “Bloom with Van Gogh”
Standard: VA:Cn11.1.HSII – Compare uses of art in a variety of societal, cultural, and historical contexts and make connections to uses of art in contemporary, local, and global contexts.
I chose this standard because it invites high school students to explore how, throughout history, art has been a vital way for people to express ideas, experiences, emotions, and deeply held beliefs. By studying artwork from different time periods, students gain meaningful insight into the lives, struggles, and perspectives of artists before them—while also reflecting on how those themes continue in their own lives.
The “Bloom with Van Gogh” workshop helps students recognize art as a bridge between personal expression and cultural context. By examining Van Gogh’s Sunflowers, students explore how historical artwork carries emotional and societal significance, and then reinterpret these ideas through their own contemporary lens.
Lesson Overview
“Bloom with Van Gogh” is a hands-on painting workshop designed for high school visual arts students. The lesson draws inspiration from Vincent Van Gogh’s Sunflowers series and immerses students in the emotional and cultural context of Post-Impressionism. Students use acrylic paints, palette knives, and brushes on medium-sized art boards to create expressive sunflower compositions of their own.
Painting Wonderland , 2025
Art teacher for local art studio. Created personalized painting that students of any age could learn from.
Skills
Art Educator, lesson planning, rubric creation, UX design, graphic design, gouache painting, watercolor painting, acrylic painting.
MartialArts.io, 2025
Designer and Frontend Developer. Worked on finding fixes for website, adding new features and planning out sales and marketing for next stage of company.
Education
Santa Monica College, 2025
Associates degree in Studio Arts, Liberal Arts, Art
Cal State Los Angeles, 2027
Bachelors degree in Art Education
About Me
I’m passionate about designing and teaching with humans at the center — whether I’m building intuitive interaction design systems, shaping brand experiences, or creating inclusive art-education spaces. I believe art and design should empower people: nurturing identity, expression, critical thinking, and the confidence to explore. My work is guided by the belief that creativity is a universal tool for understanding ourselves and the world
I’m currently an art education student at Cal State Los Angeles, while continuing to grow my portfolio with making websites and marketing stronger.
Outside of designing and teaching, you’ll usually find me painting, reading at an honestly unhinged pace or creating videos for my Booktok account.
Get in Touch!
Let’s collaborate, make art, and educate the world together!
