Who is "Oraito"?
I am someone who was born an artist, raised as an artist, but only became a professional one after many years of self-doubt. I used to think I had to be “good enough” and then start a career, but that day never came. Tons of advice later, a kind Japanese woman told me in her thick accent that I did not have to be perfect, only “all right”. Or, in her words, “oraito”. Since then, it became my artist’s name and philosophy.
I was born physically handicapped and went through several kinds of abuse, which deeply influenced my personality and my work. I am very drawn to the unconventional, the quirky, and the unknown in general. In my efforts to fit in and to heal, I channel my experiences to make impactful work and start meaningful conversations.
Though my paintings are digital, I love the look and feel of traditional painting and I try to emulate it as best as I can. As a rule of thumb, I get inspiration from neoclassical and post-impressionist artworks. If not, I like to reimagine the classics with a modern twist.
I also love the visual appeal of cute (or kawaii) and I like that it can make dense themes more bearable and friendly to look at. I don’t shy away from difficult topics and I use art as a way to start a conversation and promote healing.
In my concept work, I use my unusual perspective to draw inspiration from overlooked sources. I strive to give my concepts a fresh and unique look, even if the theme is already standard.