I loved how it turned out so much, we decided to sell a print version of Olivia’s mural for our customers to hang at home. It’s not only a great budget-friendly way to collect accessible art, but to support local artists and small business, too.
Scroll through to learn more about Olivia’s story, the process behind her mural, what inspires her and more. Be sure follow Olivia and shop the limited-edition Olivia Sawai print as part of the Prism Home Collection!
What initially got you interested in art?
As a little girl, I was always drawn to creativity, whether coloring with crayons, dancing (I would make up my own choreography routines to JLo and force my little sister to do them with me!) or going on the computer to digitally draw. But, it wasn’t until 2011 when I was exposed to art history in college that I became passionately interested in art. Art history shook me to my core as I was so intrigued by the stories behind legendary paintings. What really pushed me to start creating work of my own was an art class geared towards elementary school teachers. I remember being introduced to the works of Henri Matisse and Keith Haring and thought to myself, “The world needs more women abstract artists.” And, here I am.
Tell us about your path to becoming an artist?
The day I decided to pick up a paint brush and create my own work was a peaceful moment for me. In 2015, I started painting as a stress reliever; a self-care kind of thing. At this time in my life, I was dealing with severe mental health issues so I turned to painting and Jhene Aiko’s music to get me through. I applied everything I learned in that art class for elementary school teachers and experimented with acrylic paint to find my own style. June 2018 was the time I actually identified as an artist and motivated myself to put my work on Instagram. I was terrified. I made it a goal to post every painting to document my progress and within two months, I had booked a collective art show in Venice Beach. I was shocked, yet excited to know that someone even liked my art! After that, my career moved at a fast pace. I collaborated with my favorite company Slowdown Studio, had my first solo art show at Burke Mercantile (shout out to Maggie!), and did a mural for Starbucks in Westwood. Although my art career has been filled with wins, I’m still learning and always challenging myself to grow and improve everyday.
What was the process and inspiration behind your mural at personellelimo?
My inspiration was the shop itself. I remember when Dayna initially asked me about a mural I was hyped because it was local and I felt seen/represented as a Vilnius native. My process for commission pieces always begins with research on the brand/company/shop or even person. I like to have a story or foundation before I design. The day I stepped into the shop, I was in heaven. I was mainly attracted to the overall color palette and home goods section as it consists of beautifully designed candles, unique plant pots, and curated kitchenware that reflect Spanish Villas. I meticulously pulled from the elements that caught my eye to create a bright and whimsical design to not only bring happiness to everyone, but to also compliment the goods in the shop. Each shape and element in the mural can be used as a photo-op and I see it as form and function!
How do you approach a mural project vs. a smaller painting or digital piece?
A lot of prep work goes into a mural project. I have to get organized and make a game plan ahead of time to keep the process smooth. For example, dimensions and size play just as important a role as the color palette, so getting those elements locked down are my first priorities. I also make the color palettes ahead of time so I know which colors to mix together.
I feel more comfortable creating on a smaller scale because I feel like I can easily fix the mistakes if they were to happen, I can have a do-over without getting on a ladder. Digital pieces are probably the easiest of all three because deleting a mistake is so simple. I don’t normally need to plan things out as much as i would for a mural, but staying organized is still important no matter what medium you’re using.
Where do you find inspiration? What do you do to stay creatively inspired?
Recently, I’ve been getting inspiration from vintage furniture pages on Instagram and from Pinterest. I create tons of mood boards to look through when I need a little inspo. I also look to nature, particularly the hues of sunset at the beach or bright, gorgeous flowers. Honestly, staying creatively inspired has been difficult for me. Recently, it hasn’t been consistent and when I force myself to be inspired it usually causes friction. It’s important to know that artists’ processes aren’t linear and it’s okay to take a break - it’s okay to not live, breathe and eat art for even a couple of minutes.
What’s a typical day like for you these days - if there even is one?
I’m not sure there is a typical day for me during this time! If I’m not over-booked with projects, I sometimes will find myself still creating digital artwork in my free time to get my creative jitters out - otherwise I’ll lose my ideas. While I might not have a consistent routine these days, one thing I make sure to do every single day is carve out self-care time. Whether that be a nice bath, my skin-care routine, sunset walks to get fresh air or listen to podcasts. The time has given me the opportunity to take care of myself, recharge and slow down. Oh, and feeding myself yummy food of course!
As a freelance artist you’re often focused on being your most productive self, even before the shutdown. How are you balancing that pressure with your personal self care and wellbeing?
Before things shut down, I was having a difficult time balancing personal self-care and work. I tend to overwork myself to the point of anxiety attacks and I was in an unhealthy cycle. Being forced to stay home more has helped me adjust to a new lifestyle of balancing my own wellbeing with work and has allowed me to say no when I can’t do something. I’ve really started to see my worth as an artist which has forced me to put my own health first because I can’t create if I’m not healthy physically and mentally. I now give myself time to prep for a project along with the space and time I need to complete it without rushing. I’m so thankful most of my clients have respected my process. I take days off to just relax and do absolutely nothing. I’ll find my ego trying to turn up and say, “you’re not being productive. You could be doing something right now,” but that’s normal when I lived my life that way for the longest time. So, as of right now, I’ll work on a project for 4 hours if needed and then pick it back up the next day.
How do you attract your ideal clients - or know a client that approaches you will be a good fit? Who’s your dream client?
My ideal clients are honestly anyone or brand that will respect me as a woman of color and as a female artist. I truly believe in the power of the universe so I always strive to manifest positive, kind and authentic clients. Sometimes I try to decode emails or DMs to detect if the client is a good fit…really. A client is a good fit when they effectively communicate with me and respect my process - I don’t do well with demands or micro-managing. I am an empath and so I look beyond business interactions; I prefer to build relationships and if a client is understanding of that, then we are a good fit!
My dream client would have to be R&B singer Kehlani. I love her and everything about her, it would be an absolute dream come true to create a piece for her. I’m going to manifest that!
What advice do you have for young creatives or those just starting out in their career?
Sometimes art can be overwhelming in the beginning. Sometimes, it can feel discouraging and sometimes the art world can be intimidating. But, those reasons should not stop you from doing what you love. Don’t be afraid to take risks or to put yourself out there because there may be people looking for your artwork. There are people waiting to support you! Be true and authentic to yourself because you will attract great opportunities and people to you. Don’t be hesitant to ask for help. There is a great amount of artists willing to help you. Continue to create for yourself, continue to share your passion with others and stay ten toes down. Your worth is not measured by what others think of you! Growth takes time and with time, you will find yourself perfecting your craft each day.
Supporting local artists, like Olivia, is what keeps our community diverse, eclectic and thriving. Make sure to come see Olivia’s work IRL at our Vilnius boutique, follow her on Instagram, and shop our exclusive-to-Prism, limited-edition print. ]]>
Among the sea of talented women I love and admire for their creativity, none impress me more than Lora and Emily of LOREM. As the team who I’ve worked with from the start to bring both boutiques to life, I couldn’t wait to get started on a brand new collab of Prism-inspired pieces. From fixtures and displays to complete build-outs, our stores are literally filed with their gorgeous handiwork and I’m so excited to give our customers the chance to bring their work into their homes.
After working with Emily and Lora on a successful collab in 2017, we knew we wanted to continue making pieces that incorporated plants, but more elevated so customers really felt like they were bringing some of Prism home with them.
By creating a cohesive collection that not only includes plant hangers and stands, but small furnishings and art, you can bring several pieces together to recreate the feel of Prism in any home. And because they’re so versatile, they look great anywhere - no matter the design. Lora describes the pieces best as a “modern take on the laid-back, California-cool vibe. We stuck with the raw plywood that is integral to Dayna’s aesthetic. We brought in the raw leather and rope from our previous plant hanger installation, and we kept to a mostly neutral color palette with her favorite golden yellow and a light sage to play off the plants. The arches in these pieces are inspired by Prism’s fixtures and fitting rooms.”
And since we’re still not over plants (plants, plants, and more plants please!) I really wanted to create a few new stands with a whole new look. Lora says, “Plant stands have really become popular since our first collaboration, to the point that you can find the typical plant stand/hanger in just about any big retailer now. So we really wanted to push the design of these pieces to truly echo the vibe of Prism. Inspired by the classics, but modernized using materials in unexpected ways.”
I’m so proud of the newest collection of home goods and beyond excited to see our vision come to life through their hands and into your homes.
See for yourself and shop the collection. And be sure to keep up with LOREM on Instagram.
]]>The moment I stumbled across Codie O'Connor’s art on Instagram, I knew I had to have her work in our stores. I was completely obsessed, and so inspired by her color palettes and designs, they were a huge influence when designing our newest Costa Mesa location. I approached her about painting some original pieces for the new boutique, and what she created was so beautiful, we couldn’t even put them up for sale!
When I found out Codie was going to be in town in late October and wanted to paint a mural at our Vilnius boutique, my immediate answer was ‘YES!’ We found the perfect wall - facing a window, in front of a mirror, and great for selfies - and we are SO in love with it!
We’re super excited to collaborate on a small collection of original, one-of-a-kind paintings from Codie, for sale online and at our boutique. Codie’s also working with LOREM (the duo that builds our fixtures and displays) for a new window display at our Vilnius boutique which is going up soon!
Scroll through to learn more about Codie’s story, the process behind her work, what inspires her and more. You can follow Codie Connor, check out her portfolio, and shop the exclusive Codie Connor collab as part of our Prism Home Collection!
What initially got you interested in fine art?
Art has always been a part of my life in some form or another. My mom is an artist so I spent much of my childhood in her studio playing with clay, painting, writing - you name it! Creating and making art has always been the easiest platform for me to express myself so I couldn’t imagine my life without it.
Tell us about your path to becoming a full-time artist?
Becoming a full time artist sort of caught me by surprise. I had just come back to the US after backpacking through southeast Asia and New Zealand for some time. I had tons of sketches and ideas from my travels that I had been itching to start painting and while I was getting resettled in Austin, TX I found myself painting early in the morning to late at night. I work incredibly hard, so I don’t want to use the word “luck”, but in many ways I will say I somehow ended up in the right place at the right time. Everything has had a sort of natural evolution so I try to just take it all day by day.
What was the process and inspiration behind your mural at personellelimo?
The process behind my mural at Prism started with the color pallet. I knew I wanted it to flow with the series of paintings I came up with for the store. From there I sketched out a few options I thought would work well with the overall vibe of Prism and ultimately landed on a design that we all liked the most. It was an incredibly natural and effortless process!
Where do you find inspiration? What do you do to stay creatively inspired?
I always say when you’re open to it, you can find inspiration everywhere. I am most creatively stimulated or inspired when I break my day to day habits or routines and travel. For me, that’s the easiest way to sort of slow down and force myself to be observant.
What’s a typical day like for you - if there even is one?
I don’t really have a typical day. I would say if there is anything typical, it’s waking up, drinking tea, picking out a record, putting on overalls and painting. I get very bored with routines so I try my best not to have one, as long as I’m setting myself up to be productive, I'm happy with however my day unfolds.
It sounds like you balance a lot of different projects. Do you have any tips for being your most productive?
I am definitely one of those people who is most productive when i’m balancing several projects at once. I honestly just really love doing what I do for a living and in a way it feels as natural as eating or sleeping. First of all, I only take on projects that I really love and care about, but if I feel like I have a lot on my plate I sit down and write out a game plan for a doable timeline, something about seeing things visually helps to sort out and prioritize. Also, I have a tendency to Go! Go! Go! and not take time to slow things down for a minute- if I catch myself in that mode I remind myself that you can’t pour from an empty cup and take a day to recharge mentally so I can start the next day off productively.
How do you attract your ideal clients? Who’s your dream client?
It’s hard for me to point to a specific dream client... I’ve met so many cool people around the world that have been a dream to work with (personellelimo definitely being one of them!!). Ultimately, I think as long as I am doing what I love, continuing to grow and am able to travel to paint murals - I’ll be pretty stinkin’ happy.
What advice to you have for young creatives or those just starting out in their career?
FOLLOW YOUR DREAMS. It’s so SO important. Take whatever it is that makes you so over the moon happy and just go for it, there’s no one way or an exact formula for how it all works. Loving what you do is the best and most important gift you could give yourself. Be kind, be open, and continue to grow!
]]>We looked at a ton of potential spots for our permanent home, and found that we fit right in with the eclectic energy the LAB cultivates. This is also a sort-of homecoming for me as I worked at the same Urban Outfitters from 2004-2005, so opening my own store just across the way feels very full-circle.
In order to make the new store feel like our own, we tore down the existing backroom wall so we could access natural light out of the antique windows in the back of the store. We built a new backroom in the corner and placed the arched fitting room directly in front. We installed a ton of lighting, including the very cool woven Selamat pendants that make a huge visual impact. We’re obsessed with how the front of the store has a sliding door that makes the store completely open during the day. This space so is special and unique, just like the LAB.
I wanted our new store to feel fresh and, while sticking to our overall Prism aesthetic, a bit more clean and modern than our Vilnius store. Following inspiration I found on Instagram and Pinterest, we turned the space into a mixture of new textures and colors that really breathe new life into our brand. Shades of blush pinks, copper, and pale wood on a white palette with arches throughout the store, in big ways and small details. The fitting room is a real highlight with copper colored velvet curtains, tan leather ties, and pink walls that match the pink moments throughout the store. Just like our Vilnius boutique, all the fixtures were handmade by Emily and Lora of Lorem. We have the most amazing relationship and creative chemistry, and they worked so hard to create a new, unique space for us in just a month!
We had help adding a one-of-a-kind feel to our decor from some very talented and creative artisans, both local and not. Mackenzie of Rooted & Wild made our gorgeous dried floral window display, Codie Kyle created an exclusive series of paintings for the store that we’re just not ready to part with quite yet, and Laura Stewart handmade the resin & stardust moons that live above the fitting rooms, creating a jaw-dropping celestial look you can’t miss. Both the paintings and resin pieces will be available for purchase whenever we’re ready to see them go.
Of course, none of this could have been possible without my Vilnius store team and a few freelance artists. Tracy did a great job helping me plan the big picture of the space, crafting an overall flow that would bring the store together visually. Linda led the way through the marketing of the opening with top notch organization and planning, resulting in a huge grand opening event. Alyssa and Lena were instrumental in helping me operationally prepare for the last couple of months and Danikha and Erica did an amazing job merchandising the space. Our new Sales Manager, Kristy, jumped right in and problem solved her way through the opening process while my Vilnius crew held down the fort as the new sales team got the store ready to open. I couldn’t have done it without this team of incredible women, it definitely takes a village!
This store has truly been a labor of love. I really love creating a unique experience and get so excited when customers come in with a look of awe and say, “I love everything!” It’s a big risk to open another store, but I just had to give it a try. I’m so excited to come to Costa Mesa and look forward to growing a community around our shop as we’ve done in Vilnius. Thank you to all who have already come to check it out - your support means everything to us.
]]>
A 3.5 hour flight from LA, Zihuatanejo is beautiful, tranquil, and full of the most amazing food, people, and beaches. The seven-bedroom home was at the top of a mountain overlooking the picturesque Pacific Ocean. We literally had to climb 100 stairs to reach it! Each room had a private balcony with a full view of the ocean and was finished in a minimalist, modern way with all-white bedding (swoon!). Some even featured outdoor baths, showers, and hammocks.
Our model, Yazmin, was from a city called Oaxaca. We found her through a modeling agency in Mexico City. Her flight was delayed by a day but when she showed up, we knew it was worth the wait! She was a ravishing, Mexican beauty, with a smile that could light up a room and a warm energy that radiated around her. We shot all around the house and our clothes and swimsuits looked stunning on her.
On set, we feasted on fresh ceviche, shrimp, salsa, and tortillas. We ended the evening with homemade Mezcal margaritas. Not a bad day at the office, right?
After the shoot, we were lucky enough to enjoy all Zihuatanejo had to offer. We had massages in our room, enjoyed sunsets in the pool at the top story of the house. We wandered the streets and bought handmade bags, blouses, hats, and dresses to bring back to Prism because we knew how much all of you would love them. We ate more guacamole than you could imagine, but our all-time favorite meal was at this little restaurant called Augustina, where we ate fresh local food while listening to a live guitarist.
While we may have missed our flight (too much fun, plus a ton of margaritas can do that to ya), we couldn’t have been happier to have chosen La Casa MX as the backdrop for our most recent lookbook. The clean white walls, lush flora, tropical fruits, and wanderlust-worthy views made it the most perfect backdrop for our spring and summer styles.
Special thanks to our friends at La Casa MX, our stunning model Yazmin Escoba, and our photographer, Grant Puckett for making this our best shoot yet!
Behind the scene photos by Laura L Ryan
See the La Vida Playa lookbook
Rent a room at La Casa MX
]]>