Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Olivia Schroeder. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.
Olivia, thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today Have you ever had an amazing boss, mentor or leader leading you? Can you us a story or anecdote that helps illustrate why this person was such a great leader and the impact they had on you or their team?
Since college I have worked for some of the most amazing women I have ever met. When I was in college I was working for Ashleigh Spurlock at Fabrika Fine Fabrics in Savannah GA. She is such an inspirational woman and has influenced my young adult choices often. Then when I moved to Chicago I met Katheryn Faull of Maresca Textiles. Kathryn is a woman who continues to inspire me. We still keep in touch, though I moved away. Now I work for Lindsey Fout of Last Chance Textiles in Portland OR. I guess the point is that this line of work brings genuine good people to the table and I have been incredibly lucky to work for such strong women
Olivia, before we move on to more of these sorts of questions, can you take some time to bring our readers up to speed on you and what you do?
My projects have to have a greater meaning to them in order to create. They have to spark emotion, make you ask what it is, and leave you with a question. As well as hopefully connect you with other like-minded people. I also did this with my earlier college collections. I listened to a podcast about the environmental impact of the lawn care industry and made knitted squares and drawings that evoked a city landscape.
I never make anything if I’m not in a good mood or the right headspace because textiles hold so much energy for so many people. It is so important that I only put good energy into something while I’m making it because it carries a lot of weight. This is why I don’t push myself for productivity
For you, what’s the most rewarding aspect of being a creative?
It is seeing people find their piece, like it was calling their name like a siren song. That’s a really great feeling when the fabric chooses who it wants to go with.
Is there a particular goal or mission driving your creative journey?
I think my art boils down to therapy and healing from within. Every painting, knit and stitch is a moment of recovery. I can look at past pieces and know exactly what ghost i was getting comfortable with while I made it.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.oliviaschroeder.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/o.liviaschroeder/
Image Credits
Anna Chapman