Orenda Joy Green
Tell us a little bit about yourself?
Hi, I’m Orenda. I currently live in Adelaide, South Australia after moving here from Victoria in 2018. I love living in Adelaide. There is so much natural beauty here to appreciate and it is easy to find inspiration for art.
Creativity has always been present in my life. I was the 8 year old kid who painted pictures that were then transformed into bonbons which I sold by myself door to door in my neighbourhood. 20c bought a lot of lollies in the early 80s and I was rolling in them. The same ‘thinking outside the box’ mindset followed me and as my creative skill set increased, it all came in handy in multiple businesses, in parenting, and even in the way I navigated through life.
In 2020, when the pandemic was felt in Australia, I rediscovered my love of art and a feeling I had missed for over a decade. Getting stuck into doing something productive and fulfilling did wonders when there was so much uncertainty in the world at the time. Earlier this year, I traded my Apple Pencil in for a paint brush and began creating oil paintings. I have painted using acrylic paint in the past but nothing beats the feeling of painting with oils. I love that it doesn’t dry quickly which allows me to go at my own pace.
What is your favourite drink?
I’m a big tea drinker. I love that there are so many different varieties to choose from, and I have a cupboard full of them. At the moment, Elderflower is at the top of the list. I love the flavour and the health benefits it provides, especially for sinus issues. Next in line is Nettle tea and then Brahmi tea. Why am I suddenly feeling thirsty?
Oh, and I love Ginger Beer too. Whenever I’m asked what my favourite something is, I quickly realise I will never have a favourite anything. There are just too many things to love.
What inspired you to start painting/drawing?
Sheer desperation to express myself creatively! Until then, I felt as though I had been juggling many hats for a very long time, as mum, partner, patient, the list goes on. We all experience these things in life at one time or another and I was really good at losing myself. After a radical change occurred (to wake me up), the universe decided to give me a spiritual experience I would never forget, and then set me on a course which would demonstrate how good the world is when you have eyes to see; and to rediscover the gifts I have so I could contribute and give back.
When we moved to Adelaide, I was living in an area where so many different types of birds surrounded my home and visited my balcony daily. They were so beautiful, some of them such characters, and I adored them all. Then covid happened. I was seeing all this beauty, I had a strong need to express myself, and well, here I am.
What advice would you give other artists/creatives starting out?
Just do it! Start. It begins with you. Your work will probably suck when you’re starting out. At least you will think so. Let it suck. You will learn more with every mistake you think you’ve made. There are no mistakes, but you can, and probably will, keep thinking you’re making them all. Just keep going, keep creating, and stay true to you, even when social media bombards you with other artists work that is so magnificent you wonder what on earth you’re thinking, and just as your mind tells you to give up. Don’t give up! Be hungry to learn. There’s only one you. And, only you will create the art that you do, the way you do it, like nobody else can. Start today!
You can read more about Orenda Joy Green here.