Aloha de Mele: From Athlete to Artist
Interview with JT Ojerio or Aloha de Mele – 10-minute read.
JT Ojerio, also known as Aloha de Mele in the realm of artistry, underwent a remarkable transition from being a focused personal trainer immersed in physical intensity to blossoming into a self-taught artist who now channels her emotions and creativity into captivating artworks. Triggered by health challenges, she found fulfillment in expressing her emotions through drawing, despite initial self-doubt. Drawing powerful Vahine figures filled with Mana, inspired by her Hawaiian roots, has allowed her to connect with her heritage and share her journey with others. This shift has not only brought her closer to her feminine side but has also opened up a new perspective, enabling her to see and appreciate the beauty in the world in a profound way.
Embracing artistic metamorphosis.
Transitioning from a demanding role as a personal trainer focused on physical wellness to embracing her newfound identity as an artist represented a profound shift for JT. It allowed her to step away from the constant intensity associated with physical fitness towards a more introspective approach, enabling her to concentrate on her emotions and how she wanted to convey her perspective to the world. Then the young artist began to perceive things differently, appreciating the beauty around her in a new light and fostering a deeper connection with her feminine side, a change she found to be quite enjoyable.
Challenged by her health and the impact of her previous athletic lifestyle, JT turned to drawing as a means of expression, which filled her with a deep sense of satisfaction. Finding solace in sketching flowers and Polynesian women, she shifted her focus from valuing physical fitness to honoring emotional and spiritual connections. Her talent for drawing, particularly her knack for capturing the essence of powerful vahine figures imbued with mana, became a defining element of her evolving identity. This shift toward portraying strong, admirable women in her art allowed her to forge meaningful connections with others and facilitated profound interactions through her creative expressions.
JT’s journey from placing importance on body appearance to prioritizing spiritual well-being was triggered by health issues related to her breast implants and a broken hip. The rejection of these implants resulted in a range of debilitating symptoms, prompting her to pay closer attention to her body and guiding her towards a more authentic and fulfilling path centered around self-expression through art.
“I run through a lot of different emotions when I’m painting or drawing, especially with portraits when I draw the eyes, which is the first thing I actually really focus on. I think it’s kind of the most important part VS when i’m drawing hair or flowers it’s a lot more free-flowing.”
The Tale behind the artist name “Aloha de Mele”.
JT’s deep bond with her dog Mele was an essential part of her life, with Mele offering unwavering support and companionship. Initially, when she began exploring her artistic talents, doubts lingered about her abilities. A lighthearted jest suggesting that Mele, not JT, was the artist behind her creations sparked the playful persona “Aloha de Mele,” bridging JT’s Hispanic and Hawaiian origins.
While working on the remote island of Lanai in 2020, JT found herself sketching on her iPad during a break. To her surprise, colleagues admired her work and suggested she consider selling it. This unexpected praise from people she didn’t know well was a turning point for JT. In the wake of losing her job due to the pandemic, JT decided to share her art on Instagram under the alias Aloha de Mele to maintain anonymity due to lingering self-doubt about the quality of her work. However, her art resonated with a broad audience and quickly gained popularity, proving to be a testament to JT’s talent and creativity.
“Mele, my best friend dog , played a great role in my life in general. Dogs are so good they love you more than themselves. He was there and it was kind of a joke because when I first started drawing people didn’t think i could draw, i didn’t know i could draw so as a joke they would be like “oh your dog drew that not you!”
Celebrating cultural Inspirations.
JT’s artwork is a tribute to Hawaii, incorporating elements such as flowers, Hawaiian motifs, and ocean symbolism. Growing up, she was exposed to Hawaiian mythology, especially Pele the goddess of volcano associated with creation and her sister Hi’iaka the goddess of Hula and fertility who she portrays with reverence and cultural sensitivity. Naming her pieces in Hawaiian, JT’s art naturally reflects and celebrates her cultural heritage, expressing her profound love for her homeland and her people.
The extraordinary in the ordinary _ The Tita bun series _ showcasing the artist’s cultural pride and artistic flair through digital watercolors. Tita bun being the typical Polynesian hairstyle becomes a real symbol through her artwork.
Each bun design carries its unique significance, often imbued with humor and meaning like “Pau Hana On my Mind” piece refers to the afterwork party in my mind. Her personal connection to the Tita bun hairstyle since middle school resonates with many others in their own expressions of style and identity.
“I had a Tita bun since i was in middle school and have worn it all the time if you look at my school pictures i wear the same hairstyle and think a lot of people just resonate with that because it’s hot out here you know whether you want it to be a fancy bun or to put a flower in it or everyday Tita bun is cool to see so many people like it and match on to them.”
To conclude:
JT Ojerio stands as a living proof to the transformative power of pursuing varied paths. Her journey reflects a remarkable ability to transition between different worlds, exploring facets of personality with courage, creativity, ultimately achieving success in each venture. Drawing inspiration and strength from her Hawaiian roots, she represents the limitless potential for individuals to embrace change, break barriers, and express their true selves across a variety of creative endeavors.
“I hope my artwork wakes people up, makes them curious, obviously i hope it makes them happy i haven’t drawn anything to make people sad, it gets interesting when they wanna learn more where it came from, if they wanna learn more about Hawaii, about people, or if it’s just something that reminds them of something happy like a good memory.”
Aloha de Mele’s art epitomizes the essence of Hawaii by capturing its beauty, rich culture, and vibrant people in every art piece. From simple silhouettes to the intricate Lei Po’o designs adorning various items like pareos, bucket hats, surfboards, and postal prints, each creation stands as a testament to the artist’s dedication to radiate positivity and the spirit of aloha, transcending geographical boundaries. With every piece meticulously hand-drawn in Hawaii, Aloha de Mele’s artwork serves as a bridge connecting individuals from all walks of life to the serenity and warmth of the Hawaiian islands, inspiring a shared sense of joy, harmony, and aloha regardless of where you find yourself.
Message for aspiring artists: “ I think everybody has to start from somewhere, i wasn’t amazingly good, if you’re looking at my drawings when i first started drawing a few years ago, it’s gotten better definitely, and so if you think your work is beautiful and you like it, then just draw what you want, paint what you want, somebody is going to love it, and who knows maybe it’s going to mean something really special to somebody out there.”
Message for our community of women: “I LOVE YOU and I love how strong and graceful our women are and I’m so honored to be considered part of the Eimeo community.”
All pictures: courtesy of Aloha de Mele.