Art brightening up Raymond’s world

The National People
Raymond painting a mural at a hotel’s children play area in Port Moresby. Most of the work he does is for free to show people his skills in drawing and painting. – Pictures supplied

By ZARA KANU LEBO
SPANISH painter and theatre designer Pablo Picasso viewed art as “the best possible introduction to the culture of the world. I love it for the buried hopes, the garnered memories, the tender feelings it can summon at a touch. It washes away from the soul the dust of everyday life”.
Gulf native Raymond Oaveta, 41, thinks along the same line as Picasso in his love of art, sharing his drawings and paintings with the public for free.
“I love what I do. It’s not the most notable of jobs, but seeing that the art work you create is being admired by others, and on top of that helping other aspiring artists to achieve their goals, is why I love doing what I do. Knowing that I am educating and impacting others through art is very satisfying.”
Raymond, 41, hails from the village of Popo Luluapo in Gulf. He is married with three sons. He is currently employed by PNG Directories as a graphic artist.
He spends his free time especially on weekends drawing or painting.
“I also do face-painting for children on weekends.”
Recently, he was asked to paint murals at a Port Moresby hotel’s children play area.
“I did it for free to showcase my skills to the public.”
Raymond plans to register a small business this year, saying he is confident of seeing it through.
“I want to see some progress on that although I am just an amateur artist compared to more established artists in the capital city.”
He studied Fine Arts at the University of PNG in 2001 but dropped out because, apart from other reasons, “I wasn’t focused enough”.
He discovered early in life his is love for drawing and painting.
“It’s a skill or gift I developed naturally growing up.”
Raymond also spends his free time helping boys who possess artistic skills by setting up gigs for them, or helping them develop their skills so they can earn some money from their work.

“ I love what I do. It’s not the most notable of jobs but seeing that the art piece you create is being admired by others, and on top of that helping other aspiring artists to achieve their goals, is why I love doing what I do.”
Raymond with one of his paintings.

“One thing that inspires me most is helping youths who I see needing a lift in life. I go out of my way to nurture and push them to achieve their goals. And when they do, it makes my heart sing. The gratitude they give me is one that words can never explain.”
He hopes his three sons will follow his love for art.
“I see potential in my boys too, but as a family, we allow them to express and do what they love. Letting them figure out what they want to do in life.”
His advice to aspiring artists including art students is to “push your mind to create and your hands to sculpt, and give life to your art”.
He thanks all the companies which offered him employment as a graphic artist.
“My job is in line with my skills. These companies have also molded me to be better at what I do.”
On the future, Raymond is content with where he is at right now.
“I know that where I am now in my life. I still have more to go in terms of achieving my goals silently.”
In Raymond’s world, his love for art, in the words of world-renowned Spanish painter Picasso, “washes away from the soul the dust of everyday life”.