We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Piper Olivas. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Piper below.
Piper, so great to be with you and I think a lot of folks are going to benefit from hearing your story and lessons and wisdom. Imposter Syndrome is something that we know how words to describe, but it’s something that has held people back forever and so we’re really interested to hear about your story and how you overcame imposter syndrome.
Imposter syndrome happens to me all the time, in my own practice as an artist and within the Gallery world. I think the best way to overcome it is to remember that everyone started somewhere.
Your favorite artist was once just a beginner with aspirations too. The people who you work for at your company likely started as interns and once felt similarly to you. I think social media makes it worse, it’s important to remember people online generally only share their success and not their failures, everybody struggles and everyone feels out of place at times.
I feel like people should try and enjoy and celebrate the progress they’ve made instead of comparing themselves to others, obviously this is easier said than done. When I feel imposter syndrome – I take a few minutes to come back to earth, check in with myself and remind myself that I’m on a good path and that I belong wherever I currently stand, wherever that may be.
Thanks, so before we move on maybe you can share a bit more about yourself?
I like to keep very busy, so I do quite a few things. During my free time I try and make art, I’m focusing on medium format film, 35mm and also super 8 film. I show my work with Algorithm, which is Gallery owned by Tyler Santangelo. Lately, I’ve been struggling to make new work because I’ve been so busy with my jobs, but he helps to keep me on my toes.
When I’m not making my own art, I’m working at Lisson Gallery Los Angeles as well as on a project called iONi with art dealer Blaise Patrick. Both things are really time consuming in the best way.
I’ve also come back to my writing, so each day I try and dedicate a few minutes to review my pieces and find inspiration. Writing, fiction and non-fiction is very cathartic to me.
There is so much advice out there about all the different skills and qualities folks need to develop in order to succeed in today’s highly competitive environment and often it can feel overwhelming. So, if we had to break it down to just the three that matter most, which three skills or qualities would you focus on?
Patience. I can’t emphasize it enough, and I find myself being impatient all the time. I remind myself often that I’ve come far in my careers and that the future holds even more if I just take a moment to enjoy the present. Dedication is another one, just sticking with your passions and fully engulfing yourself in them. My passion is within the art world, so I do everything to stay involved, being an artist myself – I also work for a Gallery and curate too. I studied at California College of the Arts, and I enjoy Museums and Publications that have to do with art – and I love to surround myself with artists and gallerists. Basically, I think you should find what you love and drown in it. The last element I want to emphasize is to take breaks. It’s so important to spend time doing what you love that isn’t related to work, spending time in Nature. Whatever it is that makes you feel peaceful and content. If you never take time to unwind you’ll burn out and end up unhappy and exhausted.
To close, maybe we can chat about your parents and what they did that was particularly impactful for you?
My parents let me be myself and pursue what I loved. I always knew I was interested in art and obviously this can be a point of contention to many parents since they assume there isn’t a lot of money or success in this field. I had friends growing up, whose parents encouraged them to make art a side hobby and pursue a “real job”. My parents let me focus on art in highschool and they supported me when I let them know I was going to study art full time at College. When I started working in this profession, they were super excited and enthusiastic for all of my small accomplishments. Now, I have a really strong career and I make a great living. My point is, there is money to be made in any field as long as you stick with it and you work hard. I feel like the next generation of parents will be more open minded, there are tons of new careers. I mean, who knows, maybe art world jobs will be the last ones left after AI takes over office work!
Contact Info:
- Website: https://piperolivas.com/
- Instagram: ______piper
