We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Olivia Hoppe. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Olivia below.

Olivia, appreciate you joining us today. Are you happy as a creative professional? Do you sometimes wonder what it would be like to work for someone else?

I think about getting a regular job all the time. As an artist, I have an irregular income. I worry constantly about what if my husband gets hurt and we have to try to survive on just my income? Would we make it? Probably not.

I have a lack of depth perception, so I don’t drive. Getting a regular job would be difficult. That’s why I’ve stuck with my art. I can work from home and still be able to tend to my garden, put up food, check the cows multiple times during calving season, along with a number of other things.

Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.

I got started on making crafts from working for my Dad. When I was growing up, my dad made a variety of Mountain man/American Indian crafts. He would take my sister and I all over the state of Minnesota. We would go to rendezvous ( fur trade Era reenactments) and pow wows.

I took as many different art classes as I could at the Aitkin High School in Aitkin, MN and then later at Central Lakes College in Brainerd, MN. So I’ve had a lot of different influences over my work throughout my life. I think the range of my art sets me apart. I mostly do a mix of drawing and painting on a variety of surfaces. I also do a little sewing, weave dreamcatchers, make horn buttons, and do a little coil weaving on some of my sculptures.

My varied set of skills has come in handy over the years. You never know what you might need later. I still struggle with portraits of people. Most of my art is wildlife based. I love painting/drawing plants and animals.

Is there a particular goal or mission driving your creative journey?

My goal for my creative journey is to make a living off of my art. I’ve gone from mostly doing custom work for clients to making more of what I want to make. It’s been fun sending pieces out to galleries. I’ve been slowly building a network of places where my art is sold on consignment.

How about pivoting – can you share the story of a time you’ve had to pivot?

Growing up, my art and crafts were sold by my Dad. He would set up at a number of venues and sell things there. When he passed away suddenly, I was lost.

I’m very shy and like to be a homebody. But eventually I went out and started selling some of my art at small local shows and fleamarkets. That grew into reaching out to a few places to put small pieces on consignment at gift shops. I took a chance and applied to have some art in a gallery show at Fine Line Arts in Alexandria, MN. I’ve since had artwork at places like the Minnesota Landscape Arboretum , Waseca Art Center, Paradise Center for the Arts, amongst other places.

Now I primarily sell my artwork on consignment through art galleries with occassional custom work. Mostly small pieces in the gift shop areas but it’s a start. I’m happy with it.

I’m grateful for my husband who drives me around to places when I need to go somewhere.

Contact Info:

• Facebook: Olivia Hoppe Crafts and Seeds
• Other: hoppecrafts@yahoo.com