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Alumni success ‘spotlight’ interview with Stephanie Olivieri

alumni success 04 Make Art That Sells Alumni success ‘spotlight’ interview with Stephanie Olivieri

We are so proud of our Make Art That Sells Alumni, and we are pleased to feature a series of spotlight interviews showcasing their successes and artwork. We’ve asked them to share how the MATS courses have helped them learn and grow. You can see more Alumni Success stories here

Today, we have an interview with Stephanie Olivieri who has taken Bootcamp twice, MATS A and MATS Illustrating Children’s Books.

Tell us a little about how you got started in art and design

I actually was auditioning for a singing voice in a Disney Feature film and was doodling on the call sheet and the director suggested I go into animation. I started there and then when traditional animation crashed in the early 2000s I started working as an illustrator.

Lilla always says “People buy your joy.” What brings you joy?’ 

Making fun, happy, emotional drawing, usually geared towards kids whether it be for books, patterns or my own art.

Which is your favorite market(s) to design for and why? 

Anything in children’s media, because of the above. It makes me happy.

What are you working on currently?

I have a greeting card day job that I love and on the side, I’m creating my own picture book art as well as my own line of products with my characters.

What are some of the key things you have learnt from the MATS experience? 

I have learned new styles/ways of working and how to make patterns and work outside of the children’s market.

How have the classes helped your artwork evolve /grow? 

It pushed me to do my own work instead of just working for others on pre-existing characters. It was also great to connect with other kidlit artists in another class. I have lots of new pieces for my portfolio which I’m showing at the SCBWI winter conference in New York City Feb 2018.

Any aha moments during MATS you would like to share? 

I can’t think of anything specific, but I have sold pretty much every final piece of art that I have created in MATS. It gave me the confidence to do my own thing instead of just being commercial for others.

What are your key successes since taking a MATS class? 

I continue to work as an artist just like I was before, but I find that since MATS I am selling more of my own art. 

How would you describe taking a MATS class to a fellow artist looking to develop their art. 

I would and do describe it as great lessons and prompts to try new styles and new ways of spreading your joy.

What is your dream gig for your artwork?

I really want to be like Lisa Frank someday and have my own line of my characters on stationery, dolls, cards, school supplies, whatever, and books.

See more work here: Website | Instagram | Facebook

Would you like to experience the Make Art That Sells classes yourself? Browse our live and self-paced classes here.

Graduates of our courses have gone on to win work from clients such as Hallmark, Robert Kaufman Fabrics, Oopsy Daisy, Uppercase Magazine, West Elm, Midwest CBK, and more. It is industry learning that works in the real world. Find out more HERE and start today!

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