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In the Studio with Raya Mansoor

In the Studio with Raya Mansoor

We sat down with Raya Mansoor - artist, and co-founder of Oevaali Art Shop to talk about where her art is right now. From her current favorite color to the season her art embodies, Raya shares a glimpse into her creative process. Read the full interview here.

What’s your favorite color to use right now?

Right now, it’s light olive green. Blue is always an all-time favorite, though!

Morning or night – when do you create best?

Sunlight is essential!

Paintbrush, palette knife, or fingers?

Usually a mix of paintbrushes and palette knives. Fingers, when I want to add thicker texture.

A texture you love?

Layering oils over acrylics creates a texture I keep coming back to.

First thing you do when you enter your studio?

Put on some music that fits the mood of what I’m about to paint.

What mood are you chasing in your art right now?

Lately, I’ve been painting outdoors, so it really depends on the mood of the day. If it’s calm around me, soft pastels usually find their way onto the canvas. If it’s bright and sunny, you’ll probably spot some yellows.

If your art was a season, which one would it be?

Spring and summer, mostly. But every now and then, an autumn day sneaks in.

What’s always in your studio bag?

White and Raw Sienna paint, a brush or palette knife, and a canvas pad. Just enough to start something wherever I am. Especially when travelling!

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Raya's art is a dialogue with her surroundings - sunlight, seasons, music, and mood all find their way into the layers of her canvas.