Today we’d like to introduce you to Oona Cassidy
Hi Oona, it’s an honor to have you on the platform. Thanks for taking the time to share your story with us – to start maybe you can share some of your backstory with our readers?
I have not taken an art class since high school. Drawing has been a constant practice throughout my life however it was not until I was practicing law that I began to draw daily. I used it as a way to decompress after a long day. At the encouragement of friends and family, I slowly started to share my work on social media and opened an Etsy shop. Shortly thereafter, my corporate employer saw some sketches I had around my office and commissioned a number of ink and watercolour pieces for various restaurants the company owned around the country. From that point on, I continued to draw as much as I could. A few years later, when I decided to stay home with my kids and no longer actively practice law, I became sponsored by Sakura, a Japanese pen company with over 100 years in the business. The support of my family and these two companies provided the confidence I needed to continue to create; a confidence I did not have myself when I was younger and thought I was not good enough to apply to art school. I am still learning and changing my style but I remind myself daily of how far I’ve come and look forward to what is ahead.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
It has been a long road. There have been so many highs and lows while I pursue my artistic goals. I have had the great pleasure of completing a variety of different projects including commericial commissions for large and small businesses around the country, private commissions for small events like birthdays or a new house or a new baby, a large scale wedding commission that included no less than 8 designs for a five day event where my art was displayed all over the venues, signage, decor, goods etc. There have also been major setbacks due to circumstances outside of my control. I was in discussions for several commercial projects that would have seen my work exposed to more people than I ever imagined, but Covid and employment aftermath made several of those projects disappear. However, I think the most important thing I have learned is to just keep making. Keep evolving and see what opportunities are available. Not to wait for them to be presented but to actively seek opportunities and say ‘yes’ when you can. It can be hard to put yourself out there so I am still working on that one!
Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
Most of my pieces are done in archival ink pens. I often pair this with acrylic paint pens or watercolour paints, layering over the ink linework and then repeating the process as much as possible to achieve the level of depth I am after. I started using Micron and Gelly Roll pens in elementary school so when the company, Sakura, reached out to me several years ago, I was beyond honoured. I have had the opportunity to test out a range of different products which has greatly helped me develop and further fine tune my skill set. I think my work is somewhat recognisable as a blending of realistic elements with more abstract blocking. I love fine lines and details but tend to pair those large swatches of colour and bold outlines. My work is not hyperrealistic by any means but I want there to be fine details built up within.
I have been so very fortunate to have repeat clients. I have had high profile clients who have come back again and again or individuals who happened to find me on social media who now boast dozens of my pieces in their homes or offices. I’ve been sent messages from followers who have seen my art in a magazine on someones wall or in an office. I am just proud that anyone would want to stare at something I created that much! My social media accounts are small and I have only shown in a few galleries but I know my work is displayed all over the US and in several countries around the world and I love that.
Is there a quality that you most attribute to your success?
Creating can be challenging. Knowing what to create, what medium you want to use, what message, if any, you are trying to convey: these are all daily questions. It becomes even more challenging when you decide to share that creation with others. You open yourself up to criticisms or worse, silence. It can feel like what you have created and chosen to share isnt good enough. There is an ebb and flow in interest and engagement which can be hard to work through. Keeping in mind what your end goal is needs to become a daily affirmation. I think one quality that helps me through the doubt and the slow times is that I truly believe my best work is yet to come. My style has changed over the years, the focus of my work has evolved, and I cannot wait to see where all this leads me. Optimism is key in creating. A little goes a long way. That and a little delusion!
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.etsy.com/shop/OKCs
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/oonakc/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/OonaKCOnEtsy/
- Other: https://www.tiktok.com/@oonakc_art
