Our 2021 collaboration with Olivia Waller is one of our most beautiful collaborations so far. We asked her a few questions about her work and process. Check out our interview in full below..

Introduce yourself…

My name is Olivia Waller and I am an illustrator and printmaker from Brighton, UK.

Have you always been an illustrator and if not, how did you get into the career you have now?

I studied illustration at Kingston University, but didn’t go straight into it as a career right out of the gate. I was still figuring out what I wanted to do and was lucky enough to work as a print technician for a year in Kingston’s amazing printrooms. After that, I started freelancing as an illustrator and making up my income between retail jobs and book design. It’s only in the last few years that I’ve been able to make illustration my full time job.

Where are you located? What’s it like, and how does the city inspire you?

I’m based in Brighton! I live in a sunny flat right by the seafront and share a studio with 6 other amazing artists so am not short on inspiration, stimulation and seagulls.

What’s your creative process? What tools to do you use to create your images?

It varies from job to job, but for the designs for Rumble I started with rough pencil sketches whilst researching some fun 70’s and 80’s references, mostly roller discos. Once I’m happy with the rough drawing, I’ll work digitally and apply my own hand painted textures.

What & who are you mostly inspired by when creating work?

For this project, I felt really inspired by joyful scenes, like parties, dancing and celebrating. Something about people coming together and just enjoying themselves always really inspires me.

Do you WFH, or have a studio space?

I share a studio in the north laines with 6 other amazing artists and illustrators.

What do you listen to when you make work?1 response

Musical soundtracks (lots of Sondheim), loads of audiobooks because that’s how I do lots of my reading and podcasts, recent favourites include; You’re Wrong About and Lolita Podcast.

What is your dream collab?

I would love to make more patterns for textiles and other applications like wrapping paper and wallpaper. I’ve recently worked on a personal project where I hand painted 3 different patterns based on 3 phases of womanhood which I’ve now made into a series of quilted items, like tote bags, cushion covers and a mammoth king sized quilt. It’s been such a dream to work on.