Behind the Artist: Olivia Bennett

Olivia Bennett’s art centers around the beauty of the natural world and gives special attention to roses. Through her recent collaboration with Twisted X and its newest line of footwear, the Olivia Bennett Collection, you can see our shared passion of protecting the planet and giving back to the communities where we live come to life. We sat down with Olivia to talk about her experience on the Olivia Bennett Collection, as well as how she got into painting and what inspires her. Read our interview below and browse the new Olivia Bennett collection.

TWX: When did you start painting?

Olivia Bennett: I started coloring when I was really little, about 3 or 4. When I was 5 I started to get into watercolors. Later that year, I went into the doctor for a kindergarten checkup and was diagnosed with leukemia. I spent the next two years painting nearly every day, as I was stuck at home with very little energy. That’s when my love for painting began.

TWX: Where did you learn to paint?

OB: My parents were always very supportive of my interest in art, but neither one of them were artists. They enrolled me in some art classes where I was able to develop my skills and learn more techniques.

TWX: What are some of your biggest inspirations?

OB: I’ve always gravitated towards beautiful, colorful things that make me feel good. I have also been drawn to things that people often overlook, like small butterflies and dandelions. Dandelions are one of my favorite flowers, and I find so much beauty in them while many people think of them as weed. To me, they are gorgeous. They feed the bees and provide a source of life. To me, art is an appreciation for nature and nature is what really inspires me.    

TWX: What is interesting to you about painting natural elements?

OB: My love for painting has always been nature focused. I’ve come to notice that so many of the things that we take for granted, like bees and butterflies, are so incredible. They are not just beautiful, but they are also so important to our planet, to our life, to our food, and to this amazing world we live in. That is something I want to magnify in my work.

TWX: When was the point when you realized that painting could be your career?

OB: I knew that this could be a career, but I had never planned for it to be. When I was 8 years old, a friend of my mother’s came over and said that she loved all my art that my parents had displayed throughout the house. She asked if she could purchase a piece, and that was my first sale. From there I started entering local art competitions. At my first art show at 10 years old, I sold 24 paintings at my booth. I couldn’t believe that I could be paid to share what I love with the world.

Learn more about the Olivia Bennett Collection by Twisted X, or exploring our collection at a local retailer near you.