Meet The Artist: Orara Studio

Written by
Fiona Cambridge
Published on
March 30, 2023

What inspired you to become an artist, and when did you first realise that you wanted to pursue this career path?My mum inspired me, we had very little so she would upcycle our toys and make the strangest creatures. She was creative and always made things fun. I guess art and creativity have always been a part of my life. At every opportunity, I chose art in both my education and career. But I didn’t expect to be an artist. I worked as a gallery manager and art consultant. During this time, at the weekends, I was a part-time artist. Then one day, everything fell into place and, fortunately, I am now a working artist. What are some of your favourite materials and mediums to work with, and why do you prefer them?Using a variety of mediums is my favourite. Because I love many different genres and styles, I’ll choose a medium that best expresses my design. Sometimes I’ll be obsessed with the textures of dry brush or gold leafing and think about how to use that in my art. Or I want to create quirky, humorous illustrations and make digital drawings. How would you describe your artistic style, and how has it evolved over time?My artistic style is like my life mantra which is to enjoy the smalls things and to smile often. I like to think my work can bring the viewer a sense of calm or a positive vibe. What themes or ideas do you explore in your artwork, and why are they important to you?I love nature. I think it’s because all my houseplants have never survived but they live on in my art and photography! I also love tongue in cheek humour, having a good giggle does wonders for the mind. Can you walk us through your creative process, from the initial concept to the finished piece?My ideas come to me like a food craving! If there is thought in my mind, it needs to be materialized. So, if it’s a pizza, I need to get a pizza. When it’s art, I need to create it. I’ll start by creating a mood board of elements and colours. This helps to keep me focused. Then I’ll create sketches. When I’m ready to flesh out an artwork, I do this over stages. Taking a breath and coming back with a fresh eye. What challenges have you faced in your artistic career, and how have you overcome them? Who are some artists or other creative figures that have influenced your work, and how have they inspired you? How do you stay motivated and inspired when you hit a creative block or rough patch?I do struggle with creative block, and I used to give myself a hard time about it which was counterproductive. Then I decided to embrace it. I would do something entirely new and different. I’ve tried basket weaving, archery, boxing, and roller derby. From this journey I found a new passion in roller skating. It keeps me present and challenges me in different ways. This process helps me to stay motivated. What advice would you give to aspiring artists who are just starting out on their artistic journeys? What are your goals for your art in the future, and where do you see your career going in the next few years? What's your favourite piece that you sell on Fy! and why? Which other artists on the Fy! platform do you love? Can you share with us a favourite piece of art from another artist and tell us why you love it? (please ensure the artwork is available on Fy!) How do you see your art contributing to the wider cultural conversation, and what message or themes do you hope to convey through your work? What advice do you have for aspiring artists who are just starting out in their careers? 16. Our shoppers love to buy multiple pieces to create Gallery walls, can you suggest any other art prints on Fy! which you feel compliment yours? 17. Tell us about the artwork you hang in your own home and how this fits into your interior style? 18. Where is your artwork best suited in a home? Do you love making prints for big bright hallway spaces or cosy bedroom corners?I find it so interesting how scale can change the mood of an artwork and interior. An artwork in a small scale can be cosy for a bedroom but the same artwork in a larger size can become a bold, statement piece for a living room. I love to create for many moods because we are moody humans by nature. Or at least I am!

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