Meet Olivia Georgette | MultiDisciplinary Artist

We had the good fortune of connecting with Olivia Georgette and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Olivia, can you walk us through the thought-process of starting your business?
I existed in a world where my skin was too dark, my hair was too “nappy”, my hips were too wide, and my lips were too big. If I wanted to be considered “beautiful” I had to fit into what the media said was beautiful. I had to be a fair-skinned skinny woman with long straight permed hair. Whether I turned on a TV, looked up at a billboard, or walked into a museum, I was constantly reminded of the “beauty” I lacked. Unbeknownst to me, I was being trained to hate my beautiful brown skin, my plus-size body, and my tightly coiled hair. In 2012 after 15 long years, I decided to stop perming my hair and embrace my beauty out loud. When I started making art my muse was myself. I used my paintbrush stroke to heal the little girl inside who hated herself. I painted all my insecurities on a canvas and then put that canvas on display for others to see. My very first art show was when I realized I was needed in this space. I started my business because little black girls like me need to see art that looks like them. Women like me need to see art that shows us how beautiful our stretch marks are. I started this business to take up space and provide the missing pieces I didn’t have as a young woman.

Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.
My art is highly inspired by what I see in the mirror and the things that bring me peace. Like most people, I became a plant mom during the pandemic and realized how important plants have become in my life and how much they contribute to my peace. Because of this, my art now represents a very earthy black girl vibe. One of my greatest accomplishments as an artist is finding and developing a style that highly represents me. I want people to see me in my art. Using various shades of brown and greens I’ve been able to nail down a very cozy and authentic style. One of my greatest challenges during this journey has been losing sight of my why. Before finding my style, I would create what I thought people wanted to see and I started to lose my passion. Once I got to that point, I stopped creating because it became a job, after finding my style I was able to propel my career and once again, create from the heart. This taught me that your passions should only come from the heart and can only provide a soulful feeling when you put your whole heart into it. With that said I want people to know that my art is truly my HEART. Every piece I create is a physical part of me and I think that’s what makes me stand out as an artist.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
I would take them to the following places: 1. Art Show
2. Museum
3. Woodlands for Brunch
4. A Jamaican restaurant in Queens NY
5. Poetry & Music Event
6. To bumper cars on ice in the city
7. Icecream date by Brooklyn Bridge
8. Hiking upstate NY followed by a picnic

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
I would like to shout out to my mom & sister. Growing up with a loving and supportive family provides you with a stronger foundation to push forward. On days I’ve wanted to quit, they’ve shown up for me time and time again.

I’d also like to shout out “Hey There Beautiful Inc” a Brooklyn-based nonprofit organization that helped me realize that I am allowed to Take up Space and own every single room I walk into.

Website: OliviaGeorgette.com

Instagram: @OliviaGeorgette

Facebook: Olivia Georgette Studios