Meet Avery Ota, the artist behind the beautiful Heirloom Collection artwork that we have printed on our packaging and tote bags!
What inspired you to become a graphic illustrator and artist? What inspires you the most when creating?
I’ve loved drawing since I was very young, and I was incredibly lucky to have parents who always encouraged my artistic pursuits. Art was a way to explore my imagination and express my creativity. Recently, I’m most inspired by the idea of creating “visual ASMR” - imagery that is soothing, calming - sometimes even hypnotic.
From an artistic aesthetic standpoint, how would you describe the Magic & Aura of EM?
Definitely very ethereal! When I worked with Michelle on her webcomic, I saw how she loved creating fantastical worlds and dreamlike imagery for Helios. I can see how that same sensibility goes into all of the products and campaigns from EM.
What was the most exciting process in creating our Heirloom Collection Cherub Artwork?
I loved that the inspiration and references for the Heirloom Collection were the work of the old European masters. I spent a year in Florence, Italy as an art student, so it was fun to draw from some of my experiences in churches, looking up at the paintings and frescoes.
What inspired you to use the color palette used in our Heirloom Collection Artwork?
The Heirloom Collection blush colors were my main inspiration! The color of the artwork ended up being a balance between the modern pop of the blush colors, and the palettes of classical paintings.
What does being an artist and creator mean to you? How do you hope to inspire others?
We live in such a turbulent time, so I’m always happy when my art can give someone a sense of calm, even for a short moment. When someone says that one of my illustrations makes them feel happy or peaceful, I feel like it is a “successful” piece.
I hope that my work can inspire others to pause when things feel a little crazy, take a breath, and stop to appreciate the little things around them - maybe a cup of tea, a flower, or the colors of the sunset.
CONNECT WITH AVERY
https://www.instagram.com/averyota/
https://www.averyota.com/work
