We recently connected with Summer Oliver and have shared our conversation below.
Summer, thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. If you could go back in time do you wish you had started your creative career sooner or later?
I regret not pursuing my art business earlier in life when I had more time to absorb the countless valuable insights that I am now realizing. My self-doubt and negative self-talk held me back from taking my artistic passion more seriously. My mind constantly fed me ideas that I couldn’t make a living from my art or that I wasn’t skilled enough to master it professionally. I do feel I would have accomplished more and succeeded earlier on if I learned to disregard those harmful voices and trust my abilities from the start.
Summer, 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?
Raventree Studio is a versatile art and design studio that spans multiple mediums. Our creations include eye-catching resin and wood fine art and furniture, featuring river and ocean wave tables, made with exquisite style and detail. We also offer a selection of striking resin serving boards, clocks, fine wall art pieces, and artisanal polymer clay earrings in our retail line. Beyond these unique offerings, we’re also proud to provide top-notch graphic design services, such as branding, illustration, and social media support. With our exceptional attention to detail and focus on creativity and professionalism, Raventree Studio stands out.
From my artist’s statement:
Raventree Studio is an art business that celebrates the power of creative expression. Founded on the idea that inspiration can be found in everything, the studio works with resin, wood, and polymer clay to create unique and captivating pieces. Inspired by notions of transformation, I source materials from nature, such as wood, with which to work and bring new life to them. With pieces ranging from wall hangings to pendants, Raventree Studio aims to make art that easily strikes up an emotional connection with the viewer while incorporating the strength of the mystical raven – a bird believed to be a giver of knowledge. Every work created strives to create harmony between the shapes, textures, and materials to bring out a transformative experience.
What’s the most rewarding aspect of being a creative in your experience?
As an artist, I find numerous aspects of my craft to be fulfilling, but the most gratifying one for me is actually being in the studio creating. The sheer joy of doing what I feel called to do never fades, and it helps me forget about some of the unavoidable tedious tasks. I find great pleasure in discovering new methods or observing intriguing interactions between materials. Additionally, delivering a commissioned piece is exceedingly rewarding – particularly for a sizable project like a river table. Since this sort of endeavor is so integral to a client’s home, I collaborate with them extensively and offer frequent updates through pictures and videos. The best part is seeing the happiness and excitement on their faces when they first lay eyes on the finished product. When I participate in art markets and festivals, I also encounter a similar sense of satisfaction when I engage in meaningful conversations with patrons and fellow artists.
Have any books or other resources had a big impact on you?
Ive been doing an online mentorship called Created to Thrive. It’s a faith-based mentorship for artists who are of the christian faith, but do not create overtly prophetic artwork. I have learned SO much from this mentorship- everything from identifying mental blocks I didn’t know I was putting in my own way, to what a client avatar is and how to use one. Resources from that mentorship include podcasts that have been incredibly impactful: Makers and Mystics is one, and The Kingdom Art Life is another.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.theraventreestudio.com
- Instagram: _raventree_
- Facebook: RaventreeStudio
- Other: TikTok: @raventreeart
Image Credits
Austin Oliver