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

Hi Celine, is there a quote or affirmation that’s meaningful to you?
I have two.

“Do you and love everyone else”

This is something I think about daily. I have always struggled to make space for myself before making space for others and this serves as a constant reminder that it’s important for me to do what’s best for me before I can give any part of myself to anyone else.

The second one is “Things don’t happen to you, they happen for you.”

What I like about this quote is that it is about changing your perspective. Similar to when one door closes, another opens, it works on a more interpersonal level and helps ease the pain of when things go wrong so you can have more gratitude for the opportunity that follows.

Please tell us more about your art. We’d love to hear what sets you apart from others, what you are most proud of or excited about. How did you get to where you are today professionally. Was it easy? If not, how did you overcome the challenges? What are the lessons you’ve learned along the way. What do you want the world to know about you or your brand and story?
My artistic practice utilizes line-work as a vehicle to remind myself to stay grounded in the present. I express this through blind contour drawing. It is a lesson in drawing what you see, not what you know. This technique resonates with me because it is the ultimate definition of presence. Only being able to see what’s in front of you without turning back to modify what’s already been done. The challenge isn’t in the technique, but in the acceptance of the outcome. It’s not achieving perfection that I gravitate towards, it’s the experience.

I moved to LA with no art connections and found my first studio on craigslist. I became part of a co-op and from there met some really amazing people who then introduced me to other amazing people. I bounced around to many different art studios and through that I met other artists who have now become close friends and collaborators. Every connection I made opened up a new avenue of possibility for me. The more I put myself out there, the more opportunities presented themselves. The more I said “Yes” to small group shows and pop-ups, the larger the events I was asked to participate in became. It’s all of the little “yes” moments that got me where I am now, and I’m so grateful every day.

They say if you love what you do you never have to work a day in your life, but I have never worked harder doing something I love. Recently, I’ve started applying my skills to larger-scale projects such as murals and customized home pieces. I’ve also started experimenting with new mediums and incorporating my style of work with other iconic elements from past periods of art. There is no straight path to success, just trust the journey and enjoy the ride.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
Thinking about this question is overwhelming because I have so much support coming at me from all angles. My parents are my number 1 fans. They knew I was an artist at an early age and did whatever they could to help me explore that side of myself. No matter what risks I’ve decide to take, they have been there to back me up 100%.

My mentors and former professors Ray Ghirardo and Megan Roberts are also high up on the list. They bravely put up with me through my college years and continue to push me to think differently and abstractly about the work I am creating. I look up to them not only as artists, but but also as people.

But really, the most support comes from my insanely large group of close friends from all walks of my life. Every single one of them participates daily in encouraging this path I’ve chosen to take. Whether it’s coming to my art shows, giving me constructive feedback, or eating croissants with me, I feel so grateful every day to have them all on my team.

Website: www.celineordioni.com

Instagram: celine.ordioni

Image Credits
Portrait photos by Teri Bocko and Kayleigh Hendricks

Nominate Someone: ShoutoutLA is built on recommendations and shoutouts from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you or someone you know deserves recognition please let us know here.