About the Artist

I create work by hand—painting, cutting, layering, and building—because process matters.
Because time matters.
Because what we live with should feel thoughtful, warm, and alive.

My work is made to be lived with, not rushed past.
To bring joy, reflection, and a sense of belonging into everyday spaces.

This is art for people who value connection over perfection,
and who believe small moments can carry deep meaning.

I’m Alaina Pompa, an artist and designer drawn to the quiet power of handmade work.

I began my creative career in graphic design and hand lettering, creating pieces centered around language, hope, and connection. During that time, I discovered that my name, Alaina, translates to “ray of light”—a meaning that stayed with me and became the foundation for everything I create.

Over time, my work evolved beyond words and into image and texture. In 2021, I began exploring collage through hand-painted papers, inspired by the idea of “painting with scissors.” What started as experimentation quickly became something deeper—a way of building images slowly, intuitively, and by hand.

That exploration led to my first pet portraits, and eventually to a full body of custom collage work. These pieces have become a central part of what I do—celebrating the animals people love through color, texture, and carefully layered detail.

 

Today, Ray of Light is a collection of joyful, handmade work—paper-cut portraits, prints, cards, and goods designed to bring warmth and personality into your home.

Each piece begins with paper and is built by hand, layer by layer. I embrace irregular edges, visible marks, and small imperfections—because they carry the life of the process within them.

At the heart of it all is a simple intention:
to create something that feels like a small ray of light in your day.

Thank you for being here and for supporting handmade work.