Iordanka Karaivanova, is a Lake Mary, Florida–based artist known for her realism, expressive abstract compositions, and contemporary mixed-media work. Her practice moves fluidly between observation and intuition, maintaining a deliberate balance between technical precision and emotional freedom.

Born in Bulgaria in 1984, she moved to the United States in 1999. From an early age, she demonstrated a strong artistic inclination - sculpting clay figures as a child and drawing graphite portraits by age eight. Over time, her work evolved from portraiture and watercolor into oil painting, abstraction, and mixed media.

Karaivanova holds a Master of Business Administration with Marketing concentration from the Crummer Graduate School of Business at Rollins College and a Bachelor of Arts in Business from Rollins College. During her earlier academic studies, she completed extensive coursework in fine art and design at Seminole State College and as a transient student at Valencia College, building a formal foundation in drawing and painting while continuing to develop independently as a self-directed artist.

Unlike many artists who choose either realism or abstraction, Iordanka intentionally maintains both practices. She approaches realism as disciplined training - often painting en plein air or developing works from personal travel photography to sharpen observation, structure, and technical control. This consistent practice strengthens her artistic foundation. In contrast, her abstract works allow for intuitive exploration, where movement, texture, and color emerge freely without predefined constraints. The interplay between structure and spontaneity is central to her creative philosophy; each approach informs and strengthens the other.

Working across oil, acrylic, pastel, and graphite, she frequently incorporates mixed media elements such as dried botanicals, grains, metal, wood, and fabric. In 2026, she is expanding her practice into digital art and preserved moss installations, integrating organic materials and contemporary design into textural, dimensional works. 

In addition to offering original artwork, Karaivanova accepts commissioned projects and custom design collaborations. She creates personalized portraits, bespoke art pieces, book covers, logos, and other visual designs tailored to reflect each client’s vision while preserving artistic integrity. 

Her work has been exhibited at regional events including the Orlando Museum of Art’s 1st Thursdays, CityArts, the Lake Mary–Heathrow Festival of the Arts, and the New Smyrna Beach Flamingo Follies Holiday Art Show.

Through disciplined practice and continuous exploration, Karaivanova remains committed to refining her craft - bridging realism and abstraction as complementary forces within a unified artistic voice.

CV

Education

2025
MBA, Marketing Concentration
Rollins College, Crummer Graduate School of Business, Winter Park, FL

2018
BA, Business Management, Minor in Economics
Rollins College, Winter Park, FL

2014
AA, General Education
Seminole State College, Lake Mary, FL

Additional Fine Art & Design Coursework
Seminole State College and Valencia College, Florida

Selected Exhibitions

2020
14th Annual Sensory Overload, CityArts, Orlando, FL

2019
FusionFest, Orlando, FL
Live Art Charity Auction, Mel’s BGC, Orlando, FL
13th Annual Sensory Overload, CityArts, Orlando, FL
32nd Annual Lake Mary–Heathrow Festival of the Arts, Lake Mary, FL

2018
8th Annual Altamonte Art, Craft & Wine Festival, Altamonte Springs, FL
27th Annual New Smyrna Beach Flamingo Follies Holiday Art Show, New Smyrna Beach, FL
1st Thursdays: Travel, Orlando Museum of Art, Orlando, FL
WineART Wednesday, Lake Mary, FL
12th Annual Sensory Overload, CityArts Factory, Orlando, FL

2017
11th Annual Sensory Overload, CityArts Factory, Orlando, FL
WineART Wednesday, Lake Mary, FL

2016
Solo Exhibition, The Peacock Lounge, Sanford, FL
WineART Wednesday, Lake Mary, FL
10th Annual Sensory Overload, CityArts Factory, Orlando, FL
Reggae on the Block, Downtown Orlando, FL

2015
CityArts Factory, Orlando, FL
WineART Wednesday, Lake Mary, FL
Central Florida Earth Day, Lake Eola Park, Orlando, FL

Languages

Fluent in Bulgarian and English.

International Artistic Research & Study

Developed observational studies and photographic references across Europe, the Middle East, Asia, North America, and South America, including:

• France, Italy, Spain, Switzerland, Monaco, Vatican City, and the United Kingdom (2017)

• China, Israel, Jordan, and Bulgaria (2019)

• Canada, Panama, and the United Kingdom (2023)

• Chile (2025), including participation in a global academic program

Field photography from these regions serves as reference material for subsequent realism paintings and studio-based works.