illustrations by orllyorlly

Orllyorlly is a Japanese artist, currently studying illustration at University of the Arts London in England.  We first found her online moving picture book and were mesmerized.  Her creations are intricate, vibrant and beautifully unsettling.  They remind us of the sort of sci-fi, fantasy and horror we swoon over - that which is not dominated by violent action and masculine heroes, but that is intelligent, complex and challenging.  We asked her to tell us a bit about herself and her art.  Here's what she had to say:

Illustrating = visualizing stories

Illustrating is similar to visualizing stories.  Plots form in her mind by being exposed to subjects.  Often, these imagined worlds are then combined with her own philosophies, experiences and emotions.  Her works seem scientific in that they convey subjects objectively.  At the same time, they are deeply personal, revealing the darker corners of her mind.

Process and materials

These stories sometimes form suddenly and sometimes require extensive research.  Orllyorlly sometimes sketches several times, makes 3D objects, writes poems and keeps a diary for inspiration.  She uses a variety of materials and styles according to subjects, but her favourite are colour pens, for their detail and vibrancy.

Subjects

As subjects for her works, she tends to choose people, especially children and women, to express emotions.  She also prefers to leave facial expressions blank so that viewers can imagine their own stories.  This is largely influenced by her Japanese background, where it is common to avoid expressing emotions openly, and rather let others in only through subtleties.

Interests

Orllyorlly is interested in emotions (specifically, the darker spectrum), conflict and psychedelic imagery.  She enjoys reading novels, films and watching TV dramas that depict their characters' deep emotional movements.  As for content, her tastes are diverse, but she especially enjoys crime, social issues and mental health.  She also likes history and culture, especially Ancient Egypt, India and Japan.

Contact
Website, Instagram, Twitter, Tumblr,