10 Questions with Oriana Armand
The artist Oriana Armand, also known as OriginArmand, was born in the mountains of Mérida, Venezuela. From a young age, she showed an inclination towards art and creation, as if she had been chosen for it. However, due to the difficult political situation in the country, she was unable to complete her education at a traditional art school. But despite this adversity, Oriana never stopped creating and pursuing her passion. She began experimenting with different techniques and materials, and soon her works were exhibited in Miami, the Hamptons, and Europe. Over time, her talent and dedication did not go unnoticed, gaining her international recognition.
Today, her work has been exhibited on Artsy and published in renowned art magazines such as Art in America and RevistaArt. Oriana is dedicated to abstract expressionist art, and her work is characterized by the exploration of dreamlike themes, blending the dream and the real, the abstract and the figurative, as her collection "Women behind dreams", "Musas," and "Dolls with soul". Her exhibitions in cities such as Miami, Milan, and the Canary Islands, are a reflection of her constant search for new creative challenges. Her representation in the Art Up Close gallery in Manhattan, New York, has been key in her career, allowing her to be seen by collectors and art critics.
Oriana Armand has become a recognized artist in the art world thanks to her creativity, dedication, and ability to create a world of her own in which the viewer can immerse themselves and get lost.
Oriana Armand - Portrait
ARTIST STATEMENT
The artist Oriana Armand, also known as OriginArmand, is a creator who has devoted her life to art and creation. As a self-taught artist, Oriana has forged her way toward creating works that explore dreamlike themes that blend the real with the abstract. Some of her most representative collections can be found in this quest for new creative challenges.
In "Character and Independence," Oriana pays tribute to the majesty and free spirit of felines, reflecting their strong and independent character, their innate elegance, and grace. In "Women Behind Dreams," Oriana draws inspiration from real women who have struggled against adversity to achieve their goals, creating a series of stories full of resilience and overcoming. In her world of "Dolls with Soul," Oriana celebrates beauty and humanity in all its forms, bringing these dolls to life through the technique of oil and acrylic painting on canvas, conveying different emotions and personalities.
In "The Muses," Oriana delves into a deep exploration of the idea of muses as a source of inspiration and teaching, presenting each muse captured in a moment of contemplation and inspiring the viewer towards a connection with deeper ideas and feelings.
Finally, in "The World of Painted Jackets!" Oriana turns ordinary jackets into masterpieces full of color, life, and a pinch of madness. Through her work, Oriana Armand has managed to create her own world in which the viewer can immerse themselves and get lost, celebrating the beauty and essence of the beings and objects that surround us. Her talent and dedication have not gone unnoticed, gaining international recognition and being exhibited in places such as Miami, the Hamptons, Europe, the Canary Islands, and represented in the Art Up Close gallery in Manhattan, New York.
Oriana Armand in her studio
INTERVIEW
You are a self-taught artist working with painting. How did you start getting interested in art? And what keeps you motivated?
Since my childhood, art has always intrigued and captivated me. In my house, there were paintings of different styles and I always looked at them carefully, focusing on details like lines, faces, and stretched bodies. I wondered if mistakes were intentional, which aroused my curiosity about the work. I could spend minutes looking at the artwork without anyone seeing me.
When I was six years old, my grandfather was building a small wooden library, so I asked the carpenter to give me some scraps to paint on. After painting them, I went out to sell them in the neighborhood. I sold some, and I exchanged others for ice cream. During my childhood and adolescence, I was always exploring my creativity, which helped me stand out in my school's art competitions.
But it wasn't until the COVID pandemic that I decided to buy canvases and explore my artistic side more seriously. I felt trapped between walls, away from my family and my partner. I needed to express myself in some way. So I made catharsis on the canvases, discovering myself, expressing myself, and realizing that even mistakes are part of the creative process.
What do you wish you knew about contemporary art before you got started?
I started painting as a means of expression without any specific goal in mind. My works came from ideas and thoughts that flowed from my subconscious. Although it is true that I could have known more about contemporary art before starting, I believe that in art, it is not always important to have prior knowledge, but rather to let oneself be carried away by one's own experiences, emotions, and feelings, simply freeing oneself through creation.
Musas llegando al entendimiento, Oil, 16x20 in, 2022 © Oriana Armand
Musas En La Galaxia, Oil/acrylic, 1.35x1.60 m, 2023 © Oriana Armand
Can you tell us about the process of creating your work? What aspect of your work do you pay particular attention to?
I pay close attention to my ideas, dreams, and readings as they are my main source of inspiration. Music also plays an important role in my creative process, and I recommend anyone to have "Pink Floyd - Shine On You Crazy Diamond" or "Chet Baker - Almost Blue" playing in the background.
When I put my ideas on canvas, I try to develop the theme and give meaning to my thoughts. When drawing lines, I focus on symmetry and the combination of colors I apply. My characters are perfectly imperfect, and each of my paintings holds a secret. It's very characteristic of me to place a mole under the eye of each character, which represents my own identity. I pay special attention to costume details, and if I don't like the painting, I can completely change it, even washing the canvas. I enjoy the creative process very much, and it's crucial for me not to be disturbed. However, sometimes I appreciate the opinion of close people who come to my studio.
What is the most challenging part of your work? And where do you find inspiration?
One of the most challenging parts of my work is when my sources of inspiration seem to be absent, and I can't seem to find new ideas. At those times, I prefer to stop and wait until the muse returns. For me, inspiration can come from reading, philosophy, a moment from my past, or even from observing works of the great masters of art who have already passed away.
Silence On The Bridge, Oil, 16x20 in, 2023 © Oriana Armand
What is your favorite experience as an artist so far?
I have many experiences that have deeply impacted me throughout my artistic career, however, there is one in particular that resonates strongly in my mind.
As an immigrant artist, I decided to leave my home country. Once established in a new country, I was fortunate enough to work in a restaurant where I was given the opportunity to exhibit my artwork. On one occasion, while I was working hard, I noticed a woman carefully observing one of my pieces. That was when she approached me and asked who was the artist responsible for the artwork; I replied that it was me. As we looked at the artwork together, the woman started crying, as she listened to the narrative of the artwork, she understood the message of resilience that I had portrayed in it. But it was not just her who was moved by my work, but also many other people who visited the place and admired my pieces without knowing that they had been created by the same person who was serving them. Without a doubt, I have experienced countless rewarding experiences in my career, but nothing compares to the affection and messages that I constantly receive from the different communities to which I have had the honor of presenting my artwork.
Do you have a role model that you've drawn inspiration from when creating your art?
I have several role models who have influenced my art; I must mention the Lord of the Rings, a man from my town who had a great impact on my life and my art; My grandfather had a painting of his that, although not particularly beautiful, aroused my curiosity and fascination for his story. Then there is Salvador Dali, an artist who revolutionized the way of seeing the world through his surrealist works and his great technical ability. I have also found inspiration in the work of Edward Munch, whose expressionist paintings convey a deep emotion and existential anguish. Another artist I admire is Henri Matisse, whose use of color and form has been a great influence on my work. In addition, I have found inspiration in the writings of Seneca and other philosophers.
En La Espera, Oil, 30x25 in, 2022 © Oriana Armand
Walking up from an Andalusian Dream, Acrylic, 60.5x45.5 cm, 2021 © Oriana Armand
What are the main themes and subjects of your paintings?
In my paintings, I immerse myself in an exploratory and dreamlike world that blends the real with the abstract. Let's take my work "Character and Independence" as an example, in which I pay homage to felines, reflecting their strong and independent character, their innate elegance and grace. In "Women Behind Dreams", I am inspired by women who have fought against adversity to achieve their goals, full of resilience and overcoming. In "The World of Dolls with Soul", I celebrate beauty and humanity in all its forms, giving life to these dolls, conveying different emotions and personalities. Then there are "The Muses" who are the source of my inspiration; each one of them appears in different scenarios; some present themselves to a human who feels their magic, in another scenario, they are dancing in the galaxy.
What are you working on now, and what are your plans for the future? Anything exciting you can tell us about?
Currently, I'm immersed in creating my collection "The Muses," a theme that I'm passionate about. During the nights, before sleeping, ideas come to me in the form of poetry, as if someone is whispering them into my ear. In fact, the idea of the muse is the best description of this creative process that I experience.
Also, I'm adding new characters to my "Dolls with Soul" collection. My main goal for this year is to present both collections at the prestigious Art Basel event in Miami. I'm excited for what's to come and I hope to share it with all of you.
BONANZA, Oil, 30x24 in, 2022 © Oriana Armand
What do you wish to accomplish this year, both in terms of career goals and personal life?
This year I have a very clear goal: to paint as many paintings as possible. I love continuing to develop my artistic style. As for my professional goals, I would like to have the opportunity to exhibit my work in more galleries and art events, and thus expand my audience and my brand.
As for my personal life, I would like to travel, get to know new cultures, and engage in activities that inspire me.
Finally, share something you would like the world to know about you?
I am a young woman who has faced many challenges in her life. From a young age, I had to migrate and leave my family behind. Despite the distance, I still read news from my home country; it pains me to see the injustices and abuses suffered by my relatives and compatriots. However, instead of giving up, I have found the strength to move forward and not lose hope. My experience has taught me that passion is what motivates us and allows us to keep going even in the toughest times. Therefore, my advice is to always seek out a passion and hold onto it.
Resilience, perseverance, literature, and passion are powerful tools that will help us overcome any obstacle in our lives. Let us maintain hope and move forward with determination.
