Title: Oranges
Introducing Daniela
What's in your art cup? Tea or coffee?
I keep telling myself that I love an Oat cappuccino, but with the weather getting colder and me increasing the chocolate content, it’s an oat mocha at this point!
Why this piece of artwork for the cup?
I chose my favourite painting “Oranges”, she just felt right, and deserving of a new challenge (I also thought she would look cute on a cup – so she does!). The week I found out about the art project, was also the same week I moved to Perth with my partner, after a week of driving from Sydney. I waited long months before applying, I had an uncomfortable feeling in my stomach, I guess I was scared of getting out of my comfort zone and failing, I told myself that this would be an opportunity I would regret not taking.
What is the story behind this piece of art?
I painted “Oranges” back in 2020, during strict Sydney lockdowns and sharing a studio apartment with my partner. Like many, I was struggling with mental health, so I took up painting again, I failed many times before I got to “oranges” but when I finally did I was proud of myself, I was in front of my best work yet. This painting is inspiring on an intimate level, it feels good to create, and it’s a gentle reminder to enjoy life.
What have you enjoyed about this project?
This project has made me ugly cry in the most beautiful ways, both times, when I got the congratulations email and when I found out the cups were finally circulating along WA, I couldn’t contain the tears rolling down my face, I never felt joy as such, big little steps for a young artist like me, what a privilege! Are you for real?! The little version of me has been swimming in joyful tears for the past year or so. I can’t leave behind the pleasure of experiencing a different type of connection with others, the ones who share the coffee cup on social media or who send me a message every time they see it in the wild, It warms my heart and encourages me to keep creating.
The best way to not only see my work but connect with me would be social media, specifically Instagram and TikTok, I love sharing my art, my day-to-day life and showing off how cute my dog is!
Why is it important to support the arts?
When we do, we aren’t just supporting the artists, but ourselves, we are a foundation of the little things we connect with in life and I truly believe art is the representation of all of it. It captures big feelings and the journey of understanding them. As a queer artist I think is important to support creativity and self-expression through art, I love the constant discovery of the different versions of myself and as a human, I enrich myself with other artists’ stories.
