Go Get Yourself A Cheetah Print Beret!
Written by Daphne Bryant
Olivia Scopa is the Boston-based illustrator, painter and designer behind Cheetah Print Beret, whose sassy ladies with long lashes and LOTS of lore come to life on the page. read our interview with olivia to learn more about cheetah print beret’s origins, her artistic process and her biggest pieces of advice!
Q1: Hi Olivia! First things first, when did you begin making art?!
A: I grew up in a very creative household so art was apart of my everyday life. Art was also always my favorite subject in school! I first started taking art seriously when I was 16 and I would come home from school and follow every Bob Ross tutorial, sketched everything I felt and immersed myself in everything creative I could.
Q2: How did you stumble upon the name Cheetah Print Beret, and what does it represent?
A: The name Cheetah Print Beret came from an alter ego I felt whenever I put my sassy cheetah print beret hat on LOL. I don’t know why but every time I wore it I felt so extremely confident and fun and myself. I figured it would be a great name for the confident girl power sassy ladies i illustrate.
Q3: So you personally own a Cheetah Print Beret! Where’d you get it from?
A: I DO! I actually stole it from my sister because she didn’t wear it. I am that little sister that is obsessed with everything my older sister owns. I fear I am a cheetah print beret thief.
Q4: Real! A lot of your work, under the alias Cheetah Print Beret, is portraiture of confident, interesting women with dramatic lashes. How long did it take you to develop such a signature, distinct style?
A: Oh my gosh… YEARS! I have been wanting to create my own signature [look] for so long. I [was fist inspired by] fashion design illustration and finally figured I should just hone in to one specific thing that sticks out. I chose long eyelashes because it screams confidence, girl power and every girl I see with long lashes is just overall iconic.
Q5: Sometimes you’ll post videos on TikTok and Instagram of your creative process! What is the first and last thing you do when you sit down to make a portrait? Do you usually do it all in one sitting?
A: I first come up with an idea that I want to create!! [Something like] girl sleepover, girl dinner, getting ready, or just simple portraits. The last thing I do is all of the tiny small details that bring it to life. When I have the time I can finish an illustration in one sitting! Normally it takes me around a week.
Q6: Wow! You always choose the best fonts and colors! Talk to me a little bit about how your experience as a layout designer influences your work as Cheetah Print Beret (if at all)?
A: Eeeepp omg thank you! My experience as a layout and graphic designer definitely influences my work. I love to incorporate phrases or words when I can! I normally make my own fonts which is so fun to experiment with. I’m extremely drawn to fun bright colors; I think it adds a wonderful whimsical and girly effect.
Q7: What’s your favorite portrait that you’ve made so far?
A: My favorite portrait I’ve made so far is the girl with the literal glitter eyeshadow for sure. I combined collage and illustration to create this portrait and I am aiming to do more of that in the future!
Q8: Do any of the characters you create have names or backstories? Would you ever create an Original Character (OC) sheet for them or #DTIYS challenge?
A: They do not BUT I’d love to make one. I call all my illustrations my cheetah print beret girls <3 I think having an original character would be so much fun. I also am dying to make a comic book one day.
Q9: Who are some artists that you get inspiration from or follow?
A: I absolutely love Abby Jaime. She’s an illustrator I’ve been following for years, she inspired me to start illustration myself! Truly love her work so much, check her out!!!
Q10: When you experience a creative roadblock, how do you get over that hump?
A: Create, create, create! I’m a bit of a perfectionist and when I am in a creative block it helps me a lot to just make art without any thinking. Even if I think it’s bad, or silly, I just make it and that always clears up my creative roadblock!!
Q11: Who would be your dream celebrity to create a Cheetah Print Beret icon for?
A: Devon Lee Carlson!!
Q12: Do you have any big sister advice (specifically for young, female artists)?
A: The most important thing in life is to be authentically yourself. Surround yourself with people who support and love you. Meet new people as much as you can. Join communities. Be creative! When I joined DWG Zine I feel like I flourished into my most authentic self because I was surrounded by amazing wonderful and unique people who were not afraid to be who they are. When you are authentically yourself the stars ALIGNN. Always remember you’re a baddie and you can do absolutely anything you put your mind to!
Q13: Finally, if someone wants to commission your art, how should they get in contact with you?!
A: They can DM me on Instagram! I’m hoping to get a website up sooooon <3
