Meet Oréan Collier | Artist & Children’s book Author

We had the good fortune of connecting with Oréan Collier and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Oréan, what led you to pursuing a creative path professionally?
I truly believe that art in this creative career that I have chose me, I really have it honest coming from back when my grandmother would make things by hand, quilting by hand to my mother knitting and sewing and teaching me to sew at an early age, making custom cakes and things like that, it was just a natural progression for me. I’ve always been a creative person. I graduated high school in Hawaii, and did my first collective painting with the class. I remember coming back to the mainland watching a show called Bob Ross every Saturday and buying everything that he had whether it was his paint brushes his magazines, paints I had it all. Things just continued to progress throughout the years.

Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.
I love creating abstract art as well as Afrocentric pieces. I started out using oils which I would like to start using again, but I mainly use acrylic paints and some textiles as well as other materials to enhance a piece I may be working on to give the buyer more to take in. It has not always been easy for me. I once had my own handbag boutique designing my own leather handbags after winning a national contest through “Marie Claire” magazine. I lost that business then I was chosen as a finalist to the Belk stores with my handbags and that fell through. I used to feel like a failure but I know that they were all just lessons to be learned. Something to grow from. I keep going because it is something within me to do. I lost my only child in 2019 her name was London and she was 24 years old. I said that no matter what I’m always going to share her in my journey moving forward. She is still with me in spirit rooting for me to keep going and never quit. So I keep going and moving forward to honor her and leave a legacy for her daughters my granddaughters. That’s where my children’s book “Lasko the Artist”:comes in. My first children’s book was published April of 2021 and I know my daughter is smiling down still cheering me on. I do it for them as well as myself.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
The South side is a really cool spot in town as well as the North Shore area, lots of cool places to go in walking distance. The Edwin hotel we would stay just to have like a little staycation of sorts, being in the downtown area, close to really nice restaurants and art in the city. The Hunter Museum, the Walnut Street Bridge, Ride the River, and a stroll through the Art District

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
I would say my family, they have always been behind everything that I do. I used to design handbags as well and I remember naming my winning design through Marie Claire magazine after my grandmother who always believed in me. I would like to give a special shout-out to my beautiful daughter London who was in my corner telling me Mom don’t ever quit, your things are too good she was always amazed that I could take a blank canvas and create a beautiful piece of artwork. My daughter has gone home to be with the Lord , but I know she is with me in spirit and still encouraging me to never quit. I do this for her and now my two beautiful granddaughters.

Website: www.oreancollier.com

Instagram: itsoreancollier_artist

Twitter: @oreanbyorean

Youtube: Oréan Collier