Paige Anderson, Textile-based Maker and Creative Supply Curator, Olympia, WA
Paige is a home goods maker + graphic designer + creative supply curator based in Olympia, WA. Her work is shown locally at Gallery Boom and she is a member of the South Sound Modern Quilt Guild and Olympia Girlboss Collective. Paige pulls from her formal education in the environmental field to create visually stunning textile work with an emphasis on repurposed, thrifted, salvaged, and hand-dyed fabrics.
Paige's family emigrated to the northwest from Northern Europe, sometime ago and she draws on the clean lines and minimalism of Scandinavian home decor along with the earthy and vibrant color palettes of her grandparent's daily views as fisher-people, loggers, and handiworkers. Paige's work constantly nods to these influences while bringing the "at-home" work of her female ancestors and living relatives into the forefront of the arts scene. She brings quilting out of the shadow of "women's work" and into the mainstream.
Paige primarily works with cotton fabric to create minimalist, visually stunning quilts. Each step of the process is completed by her, often starting with hand-dyeing the fabric, piecing blocks together, layering the "quilt sandwich" of the pieced quilt top, fluffy batting, smooth backing fabric, and then top-stitching and binding to complete the quilt. Each quilt is one-of-a-kind and heavily draws on her love of the northwest, community, modern womanhood, and admiration of simple shapes and cozy textures.
Have you always wanted to be an artist? What inspired you to start creating?
I always wanted to be a textile artist, but thought a career in science was the only way a career could have meaning. After grad school, I decided the science life wasn't for me, and switched gears to work towards being a homestead hippie mama. Practicing folk art is only a small part of that. When I figured out that I actually wanted to just be a nurturer, grow things, make things, and help other people live their best creative lives, that's when things really fell into place for me.
Where do you find inspiration?
Coniferous forests, the 70s folk art and homesteading movement, craftsman bungalows, and 2000s alien movies.
How have you, as an artist, found your creative voice?
Practicing and trying everything, and noticing where I find myself feeling genuine joy and intentionally making things to get to that creative nirvana where what brings joy also brings in a sustainable income.
Where do you create your artwork?
I work at home, in a renovated garage turned art studio.
What is your typical day like?
I wake up when the toddler demands oatmeal (or else)...
Do you have any advice for aspiring artists or creative business people?
Stay in your own lane, comparison is the thief of joy, do no harm but (definitely) take no shit, it's ok to have a side hustle to your side hustle... I could go on and on in typical tropes but basically, shut the world out when it comes to your creative process. Listen to business podcasts. Call people out on their shit and try to make the world a better place. Do not try to be like anyone else.
How do you build community as an artist? How has the creative community helped you grow and share your art?
I've met all of my best artist friends through Instagram, and cultivate those relationships through makers markets.
What artists inspire you? Do you have any favorite blogs, artists, or social media accounts that you’d like to share?
Favorite artists that have inspired me recently and always are Phoebe Wahl, Quinnarie Studio, Heather Day, Juliana Lupacchino, Sam Eldridge.
What are you most excited about right now?
Ponderosa has goods in SEVEN stores and counting! You can also find Ponderosa Creative products at a growing list of retail locations:
- Modern Domestic in Portland, Oregon
- Twenty Seven in Lakeland, Florida
- Pieces to Peaces in Olympia, Washington
- Quilting Mayhem in Snohomish, Washington
- Sisters Quilt Shop in Chehalis, Washington
- Brazen Shop and Studio in Bellingham, Washington
- Gallery Boom in Olympia, Washington
What are your goals and aspirations for your business?
One day I'd like to open up a textile repurpose and creative sewing studio, focused on sustainability, homesteading, modern craft, and folk art.
All photos provided by Paige Anderson.
