Meet The Artist: Riona Buthello

You’re renowned for your moody, raindrop-effect paintings. How did you develop your signature style?

Funnily enough, when I started my social media art journey, I was painting bright sunsets and seascapes. It didn’t feel like “me,” and I wasn’t getting much attention. One evening, while exploring trending songs to use for tiktok videos, I came across Kanye West’s ‘Flashing Lights’. It inspired an image in my mind of a foggy night with a lone car driving down a long road, headlights cutting through the darkness. I painted that scene the next day, and it went viral—it was my first viral video on TikTok, about six months after I started posting. From there, the raindrop-on- windshield aesthetic naturally evolved as I continued painting driving POVs. It just felt right and has now become my signature style.

Do you have any artists who inspire you, either for your style or for motivation?

Yes! My favourite artist is Gregory Thielker. I discovered his work a couple of years ago on Twitter, and it instantly caught my eye. His attention to detail and ability to paint so realistically is incredible—his style feels like my work, but taken to another level. I admire him deeply.

Was there a specific “breakthrough” moment in your career, or was your success built over time?

My success has been a slow build, but there have been standout moments. One of the biggest was in 2022 when music producer ‘The Alchemist’ reached out to buy one of my paintings and use it as the cover art for his album. He even sent me six vinyl records with my artwork on the cover—it was such a surreal experience.

Have you created any standout paintings? Or one that defined your artistic style?

I don’t have a favourite painting, but I do have one that means the most to me. It was my very first raindrop painting, titled “I’m On My Way”. I still think it’s one of the best I’ve ever created. It felt like beginner’s luck, but it also defined my artistic style moving forward.

ARTIST INSIGHTS

What’s your process for taking on a painting?

I always prime my canvas with a non-absorbent primer from Michael Harding—it prevents the paint from sinking as it dries, which was an issue I struggled with for a long time. Sometimes I’ll do a rough mini-painting to test how the colours interact, but occasionally, I skip this step (and always regret it later). I also pre-mix my colours before starting, as I use a lot of different colours and shades in my work, and mixing while painting slows me down. From there, it’s all about experimenting. Each painting feels like a new challenge, and I try different techniques to keep things fresh and exciting.

Tell me about your art studio and how it’s evolved over time

My first studio was in my parents’ house. My dad converted the loft into an art studio for me and even built storage for my prints and paints. It was amazing. Now, I have a studio room in my own home, and once again, my dad worked his magic, building shelving systems to hold everything I need. I can store up to 20 paintings, although I usually sell them quickly, so I only have about three at a time.

Has social media influenced your artistic style or process?

Whenever I’ve tried to create something purely to do well on social media, it’s flopped! The pieces I least expect to resonate are the ones that go viral. With that in mind, I now focus on painting things that evoke emotion in me and hope others feel the same.

What advice would you give to aspiring artists?

The best advice I’ve received is to practise consistently, experiment boldly, and stay curious. Create with purpose and joy, and don’t be afraid to step away when you feel stuck. To develop your unique
style, experiment with different techniques and mediums until you find what feels right. Let the work of artists you admire inspire you, but don’t let it define you. Create consistently, and your style will naturally emerge over time.