A Conversation With Artist Daniella Manini
Kneeland Co. sat down with Ventura-based artist Daniella Manini to talk about growing up in Peru, her love for the ocean, her creative influences, and how here second series of prints Amoramar 2 came to life. Daniella’s vivid shell prints combine a myriad of shells with shadow work and hints of surrealism, and are printed on 300 gsm cold press fine art paper using archival inks. Each work is original and was created exclusively for Kneeland Co.
1. In what area of Peru did you grow up, and how did it influence you both personally and creatively?
I grew up in Miraflores, Lima, a quaint and artistic district by the ocean known for its charming old houses and architecture. Lima is a very resourceful city, and Peruvians, in general, are incredibly resourceful. I grew up during a time when the Shining Path terrorist group was active, which made things a bit sketchy. Nationalism was also prevalent as part of the political regime, and the sense of what other opportunities the world outside of Peru might offer was something that became more personally influential to me. I spent a lot of time at the beach, driving hours south of Lima to find quiet, empty shores. We would stay all day and return the next day. It was a different time back then. I think these experiences shaped my love for the ocean and taught me how to be resourceful. It really trained me to be ready to hustle and adapt.
2. When did you begin making art?
Art has always been a part of me. After having my daughter, who seems to share the same creative brain I have, I realized that creativity, imagination, and art have always been my way of being. She reminds me that I was always creating something—it's just part of who I am.
3. Your work has a beachy aesthetic that feels both classic and elevated, which is a delicate balance to strike. You do it so well, and it feels authentic to you. Where do you draw your inspiration from?
To keep the creative energy flowing, I’m constantly moving—driving to new places and traveling whenever I can. I find the most inspiration in people and the unique ways in which they express their creativity. Small coastal towns, communities around the world, and their connection to nature are huge sources of inspiration. I love seeing how people decorate their spaces and how that expression impacts their environment and mood.
4. This is your second series of shell prints, Amoramar 2, for Kneeland Co. Tell us how this collection came together. I know you were traveling a bit when you started working on it, and it ended up being a bit different than you’d initially imagined!
This is a continuation of the first collection. I traveled to Japan for work, but when I returned and started finalizing Amoramar 2, I found myself more inspired by the first collection and reconnected with that story. The creative rush from the first series wasn’t over for me, so I wanted to explore it more. This time, I introduced more plants and shadowing, adding a layer of surrealism that I hadn’t initially planned on.
5. We share a love of print and pattern, and you're a lead textile designer at Patagonia. Does your personal work influence your textile design, and vice versa?
It’s all coming from the same brain, for sure. But since I’ve been designing for my day job in the clothing industry for so many years, I’ve tried to keep my personal work separate from my professional one. Both belong to the same hand, but they come from different places and different thought processes. For my job, I’m working within a framework for a massive global market. My personal work, though, is more complex and introspective. I also have my own print shop, which started as a passion for places I loved and grew into a business. It’s yet another space where I need to meet market demands. It can be draining at times, but I love it all.
6. We also share a love for surfing! Where did you learn to surf, and what are your favorite spots both in California and around the world?
Surfing has been an on-and-off relationship in my life. While I’ve always been around the ocean and played with boogie boards and body surfing, it was a very male-dominated sport in the area I grew up in, in Lima. I tried it a few times but didn’t stick with it. It wasn’t until I moved to Encinitas that I really started enjoying it. My favorite spots are La Saladita in Mexico and Cerro Azul in Peru.
7. Who or what are your three biggest influences?
Living by the sea, children’s graphic art in all its forms, and advertising and printmaking from the '60s and '70s in North America have all had a significant influence on my work.
8. Is there anything or anyone inspiring you right now?
I’m inspired by some watercolor Japanese artists right now. Years ago, I was really drawn to David Weidman’s art. I have re discovered him and I have been enjoying looking at his work again. There’s a lot of artists I see in social media that I find inspiring too.
9. Describe your perfect day.
A warm day at a sandy beach, happy kids, delicious mangoes, enjoying the little perfect waves in warm water and plenty of time for creative work at my studio.
