Olivia Bezett knew from a young age she wanted to be an artist, and she was just 17 years old when she started selling her work at endemicworld and dedicated herself to being a full-time artist. In the last few years, she has been able to hone her illustration skills bringing even more life to the creatures she draws. Olivia so kindly took some time off from drawing to answer our questions and surprised us (in a good way) with some of her answers.
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What do you do?
I’m a 20-year-old full-time artist from Auckland, NZ who uses colored pencils to create drawings of animals with quirky twists. I also cook, bake, create, and watch ‘The Emperors New Groove’ at least once a week.
What did you have for breakfast?
Today I had porridge. It’s either that or overnight oats most mornings. I enjoy a good bowl of oats.
What’s currently on your walls at home?
Some Marco Mazzoni, Georgie Malyon, Flox, Laura Blythman, Jen Sievers, Max Gimblett, Alice Berry, and I’m expecting a Dick Frizzell ‘Sleeping Woman’ in the next few months thanks to my dad’s connection with Dick having worked alongside him. I’ve been collecting art since I was 13 and only buy limited edition prints or originals. I definitely take after my parents!
If you weren’t making art/doing what you do what would you be doing?
I’d be a chef! Or a cake maker. Luckily my partner is a chef so he’s sort of living my other dream, and I still make cakes for friends and family every now and then.
Current obsession?
I’ve been listening to Cat Stevens on repeat but that’s nothing new for me (thanks dad). I’ve been binge watching Black Mirror with my partner and enjoying hanging art all over the walls of our new home we’ve just moved into in Gulf Harbour. The best part of moving into a bigger house means more walls for more art! We also just got a new ragdoll kitten (only breed of cat that I’m not allergic to or animal for that matter) called Craig. He takes up a lot of my time now!
Career highlight so far?
Probably my two solo exhibitions. I was so overwhelmed with the turnout! Also when I started talking on commission work I wasn’t sure how it would go, and within a week my waiting list got to 3.5 years and I had to cut it off. Still can’t believe that!! I was also on TV once and forced my entire family to watch it.
Dream project or collab or both?
I have always wanted to illustrate a children’s book… Which I’ll be doing in a couple months time! Very exciting! I really want to have a joint exhibition with my mum, Josephine Davis too. My mum is my best friend and her artwork is incredible, it would be such an honor and is a big dream of mine!!
Plans for the future?
More exhibitions, to get through the 3.5 years of commissions, and travel, travel, travel.
Build your dream concert, 3 acts you wanna see live. Living or dead.
Cat Stevens (who I just saw live in concert recently! Roy Orbison and Joe Cocker. In saying that, I absolutely love Flight of the Conchords and would love to see them live again. Jermaine Clement will always have my heart 😂