Artist Spotlight: Olive & Company

We are tickled to introduce you to Faye Guanipa, an illustrator, surface pattern designer, graphic artist, and proprietor of indie stationery brand Olive & Company!

A native New-Englander and Massachusetts College of Art & Design graduate, Faye worked in the corporate world as assistant fashion designer for several years before deciding to take the leap to freelance illustration in 2016. Her growing line of paper goods and textiles aims to inspire and delight, and we couldn’t be more delighted to have Faye contributing beauty and whimsy to our every day!

Tell us about the birth of Olive & Company!

I was pregnant with my second. I’d always dreamed of turning my illustrations into products. Being pregnant again was the wake-up call I needed to make it happen. I felt like if I didn’t just go for it, I’d keep finding a reason not to and life would just keep getting busier.

I had graduated from art school in fashion design and acquired a taste for pattern and design in addition to my love of drawing and painting. After college, I worked a corporate job as an assistant designer and hated it. When I went home to have my first baby, Olive, I started freelancing as an illustrator, which reignited my passions. By the time I found out I was pregnant with Frida, number two, I decided it was time to chase after my long-time dream of working for myself, to see my designs on my own products and not someone else’s. And that’s how Olive & Company was started!

Did you always want to be an artist, even in childhood?

I’ve been painting and drawing since I was small. While I always knew there was a career in the arts in my future, I wasn’t sure exactly what that would look like. I started so many imaginary businesses as a kid, so, at least working for “the man” in a cubicle was definitely never on the list of long-term goals.

What is your favorite medium to create with? Describe your process.

Right now, it’s on my iPad using Procreate. While painting is and always will be my true joy, with three little ones in tow, the iPad is remarkably mobile and requires no clean up. I start sketching in procreate and usually render the artwork almost to 100% complete in procreate unless I am designing a repeat pattern, which I’ll do in photoshop or if an artwork requires a more graphic style or needs text, then I’ll bring it into illustrator to finish it up.

Where do you find your inspiration?

My mom raised me to appreciate all things vintage. I draw a lot of inspiration from vintage fashion, art, and design. Color has a huge influence on my work, sometimes I just get inspired by a color combination and the artwork flows from that.

What does a typical day at your studio look like? How do you manage your time?

Currently, my studio is in my home, which makes things easier for working and designing during baby naps and at night when the kids are in bed. I am a one-man show for now, at least until all three are in school, so I make sure I am as efficient with my time as possible.

What do you enjoy doing in your “free time?”

My “free time” joys are simple right now. If I can finish my first cup of coffee in the morning without interruption, that would be at the top of my list. I like a good cocktail and dessert, it doesn’t really get much more exciting than that. It’s the season I’m in, with three small children, the personal pleasures are pretty simple. Creatively, it’s kind of geeky, but I really am always thinking about the next design or illustration, so any free time I can steal to draw, I take it. I truly am in love with what I do and I think that my joy is reflected in my work.

What are the biggest challenges you have faced to get to where you are now?

The biggest challenge has been making the time for my business. Raising three little ones so close in age means I’m in the thick of it. It’s been a good lesson in patience and gratitude. I’ve learned to be grateful for where I’m at in my journey and remember that these days with the kids are short and so I savor them. It’s such a hard balance to strike but I’m proud of my accomplishments thus far, as a mom and as a business owner.  

How has COVID impacted your business?

While online sales have been doing quite well, I’ve had to limit my wholesale presence, as my time has been much more limited with homeschooling my oldest and a baby at home. I look forward to coming back strong in 2021 with some fresh designs and a new, more curated collection of products, including some new products. For now, my focus is continuing to serve my retail customers, maintain my wholesale relationships, and provide my daughter with the best education that I can give her.

How does the culture of your city contribute to the development of your independent business?

I love my city, there is so much newness happening in Worcester and I see the potential for small businesses growing at a rapid rate the last few years that we’ve been here. There’s an expanding artist community and the small businesses here are a tight knit group. I am excited to continue to be a part of it and grow here along with them.

We hear you‘ve been working some new Holiday 2020 products. Can you tell us a bit about them?

For the holiday season, I’ve debuted a collection of gift boxes that I am very excited about. They feature several fun themes including plant lovers, cat lovers, and all the signs of the zodiac, among others. They are small batch, limited quantities. Beautifully packaged products at a really great price for gifting. They include a custom, personalized handwritten note if someone wants to get a box shipped direct to their recipient. It’s such a great holiday gifting concept, easy and thoughtful, especially for those of us who are continuing to practice social distancing and want to send something sweet to loved ones this season.

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Follow Faye on Instagram at @oliveandcopaper.
Purchase the Snailbox November 2020 Collection featuring her cards here.
Purchase more of her products directly from her website.