My name is Bianka Guna and I’m from Toronto, Canada. My father used to laugh telling his friends that I was born with a pencil in my hand, and in my early childhood, I never stopped drawing, on papers, on books, and when the surfaces were too small, on furniture, on the floors and on …all the rooms’ walls.
He was the only father in the neighborhood painting the home walls every month, and my mom the only mother polishing the floors every week, because of that.
My love affair with watercolor started very early, when my parents realized that paper and paints should be a household-staple. Crayons, pencils, pastels, charcoal, as well as books, papers, ink and watercolors, and later on oils and acrylics, were the only toys I loved and used. I was the kid in charge with illustrations for the school newsletters, drawing for the comics corner, and the high school choice in all art competitions in town.
The childhood play with paper and watercolor, ended up with me becoming a full time artist, an art instructor and a Certified Golden Working Artist for South Eastern Ontario and Greater Toronto Area (GTA). This allows me the freedom of painting every day, sharing my knowledge , and using one of the most amazing watercolor series of paints on the market from 2014 – QoR Watercolors by Golden.
The new developments in watercolor formulation as well as the new watercolor mediums and grounds, are helping my nonobjective painting to flourish.
I traveled all over the world (I speak five languages), and I lived on many continents, and I am a science buff, with a degree in Mechanical Engineering, one in Computer Science and one in Illustration, and I love experimenting in my studio.
I call my studio my lab, and I am planning my painting series the way a scientist prepares his research and development.
“I believe in unity, diversity, proportions, contrast, balance and the unexpected.”
My watercolor and acrylic works are looking loose and painterly, but they are the result of careful planning, from monochromatic sketches to color charts and support treatment. I am painting, printing and collaging with watercolors on paper, on YUPO, on TerraSkin, on DuraLar, on Aluminum Boards, on Canvas, on Wood Panels and on Plexiglass.
“Bianka Guna’s paper works are potent: blossoming with passion, energy and questions. Her personal lexicon of mark making is tempered by her desire to push the boundaries of the various mediums she works in. In watercolour, Guna allows her pigments to furl outward creating an afterglow once her brush has passed. With a vivid style, Guna’s abstractions appear like photographs, to contain a sense of the past and a portentous inklin of what may come. They explore the possibility of shared symbols and myths. Guna creates dramatic abstract images that grasp at reality, but are sufficiently divorced from the material world to allow the imagination to breathe. Guna believes in unity, diversity, proportions, contrast, balance and the unexpected. Her images are dynamic, juxtaposing materials, colors and textures. Elegant in design and complex in purpose, Guna’s paper works are to be relished…”
Navillus Gallery, Toronto
For the past ten years, I am also sharing my experience and passing on the love and knowledge of watercolor as an art instructor. An elected member of prestigious Canadian art societies, I am teaching water media (watercolor, acrylic, mixed media and collage) in numerous art community centers, art colleges, art societies, art high schools, art supply stores, and in my studio in Toronto, Canada.
Creator of Doodlewash, founder of World Watercolor Month (July), World Watercolor Group, and host of the Sketching Stuff Podcast. Sharing watercolor illustrations and stories while proudly featuring talented artists from all over the world!
Extraordinary and explosively gorgeous artwork. I would love to take a watercolor class from you, Bianka. Each painting – dramatic and exciting. You have a fresh approach to art. Thank you for sharing.
So fresh, exciting and elegant! Your works on paper are your genius. As one who is privileged to be your student, I can say, your teaching is inspiring!
Watercolors are such a beautiful beautiful medium, it was only so natural to paint abstraction in it, unleashig its power is an incredible feeling- Thank you for your kind comments
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Nice to see your feature Bianka.
Thank you, Jessica!
I have no words (well, yes I do have one!) Breathtaking!
(here’s some more words) WOW! FANTABULOUS! EXQUISITE!. THESE I would hang in my home.
Many thanks, glad you are enjoying the images of my work, your comments are very kind!
Fabulous, I love this work. N.
Thank you very much !
Powerful work!
robert
Many thanks, Robert, much apreciated!
Wow! These are absolutely incredible paintings.
Thank you, Laura, glad you enjoyed it !
Extraordinary and explosively gorgeous artwork. I would love to take a watercolor class from you, Bianka. Each painting – dramatic and exciting. You have a fresh approach to art. Thank you for sharing.
Many thanks, Sharon, I love watercolor painting, and I believe it’s strength and power are greatly underestimated .
So fresh, exciting and elegant! Your works on paper are your genius. As one who is privileged to be your student, I can say, your teaching is inspiring!
Thank you, Linda, you are very kind!
organic, bold and flowing..awesome!
Thank you for your comment , much appreciated!
Wonderful color and energy! (K)
Thank you for your comment, greatly appreciated!
Thrilling to see a watercolorist do abstracts like this with such vibrant color ~ love!
Watercolors are such a beautiful beautiful medium, it was only so natural to paint abstraction in it, unleashig its power is an incredible feeling- Thank you for your kind comments
Very exciting work!
Many thanks , glad you are enjoying them 🙏
Wow! Incredible work.
Thank you for your kind comment, Sharon!
Your work is breath-taking!
Thank you, Sandra, glad you enjoyed it, your comment is greatly appreciated!