I’m Orla, creator and maker behind ‘Orla O Visual’, based in North Cork, and best known for my unique ‘Words in Porcelain’ offering. Eight years ago I went to work on construction sites, in a Programme Management role, but after being diagnosed with Postnatal Depression with my first born, I turned my entire world upside down and created a business out of my passion for Art.
I always envisioned that I would create a career in art for myself, and so the biggest turning point to date, happened in 2015 after I had my little boy, Jonah. For two years, when Jonah was very little, I focused my energies into my art, creating the life I was always leaning towards. I am so proud to say that through this darkness, came the light!
In 2015, we moved back to Cork from Dublin, where I lived for approximately 10 years, and Cork is where I dived head first into my creative world. I initially set up studio in the old hen house, 'Palais du Poulet', on the family farm in North Cork, where I absolutely loved seeing Jonah living out his childhood on the farm I grew up on. From there we moved to France for a year, to explore more opportunities, and returned to North Cork again, where I am now based.
I have turned my world upside down in the past six years, in the best way possible, to do what I have always wanted to do, and I feel like I am living my dream.
From a young age, I have always had a passion for art, but it was only in 2010 that I commenced studying art as a mature student, part-time at the National College of Art and Design (NCAD), Dublin. Art is my passion, my therapy , my world. I put my heart and soul into what I make, and feedback from customers reflects this. What I create is very personal, and it's simply wonderful to be part of a process where you get to see how thoughtful people really are!
'Words in Porcelain’, is an emotive collection of Porcelain art, designed and handmade in Ireland, which aims to stir the senses through meaningful words, forever immortalised in porcelain. Through selected and bespoke words of love, reassurance, motivation and of memory, ‘Words in Porcelain’ is an ideal gift for every occasion.
“I believe that words are immensely personal to those who consume them, and my love of words is very evident in my work.”
