Bisley + Willow Terra Studio - Bringing Color to Life
Posted by Bisley Store on Feb 5th 2025
Artist and home décor enthusiast Erica Olivarez of Willow Terra Studio blends vibrant color, retro design, and meticulous organization to bring her needlework and digital illustrations to life.
Erica Olivarez of Willow Terra Studio brings bold color and vintage inspiration to life through a unique blend of digital illustration and needlework. A lifelong artist with a background in graphic design, she’s drawn to texture, nostalgia, and the expressive power of vibrant hues. Whether she’s threading a new piece or sketching on her tablet, Erica’s work is all about creating joy and connection through art.
With a creative mind that thrives on structure, organization plays a key role in her workflow. From carefully arranged yarn supplies to an intuitive workspace, she designs her environment to foster both efficiency and inspiration. In this Q+A, Erica shares how she keeps her creativity flowing while staying organized in a world of color and texture.
Bisley Store: It's great to meet you, Erica! Tell us a little about yourself.
Erica: I’m an artist and home décor enthusiast with a passion for incorporating color in every way possible. Born and raised in Michigan, I’ve been creating art since childhood, and today I’m living my dream of sharing my creative endeavors with the world.
My main forms of artistic expression are digital illustration and needlework. My work is characterized by vibrant colors and retro-inspired designs. I hold a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree in Graphic Design, which helped me refine my childhood passion for art into the unique niche I explore today.
By blending my graphic design skills with needlework techniques, I’m able to bring a dynamic variety of art to life. I hope my creations add a colorful touch to someone’s day, inspiring moments of joy and reflection in this fast-paced world. I believe art and color have the power to transform moods, and I strive to bring that transformation to life through my work.
What role does organization play in your creative process? What does it mean to feel "organized" in your world? How do you get there?
As an artist with a chaotic mind, I find it essential to keep my spaces organized so I can focus more on my creative process. Having all my tools in their designated places ensures they are readily available when I need them in the middle of a project. Organization creates a more streamlined and efficient workflow, allowing me to concentrate fully on the art itself.
What drew you to your particular medium, and how has your style evolved over time?
I have always been interested in textures because they appeal to the human senses. I was introduced to needlework when I developed an appreciation for vintage home décor. Needlework art was especially popular in the 1970s and 1980s and contributed a lot of great art to the world. The use of yarn allows for a wide range of textures and colors, which drew me to explore this medium further. Inspired by this vintage art, I began incorporating needlework into my creative process. Now, I work in both digital and physical art forms and often combine them in my projects to create unique pieces.
What are some of your favorite tools of the trade?
The most used and inspiring tools would be my colorful yarn supply and my drawing tablet.
Five things you can't live without?
The color orange, my ability to create to art, cats, comfortable spaces, and thrift stores.
If you weren’t doing what you’re doing now, what other career or passion would you pursue?
My artistic endeavors and day job are both art-focused, but I’ve always been intrigued by carpentry and woodworking. Some might argue that’s also art-related, though.
If you could have dinner with any artist or designer, dead or alive, who would it be and why?
Off the top of my head, graphic designer Aaron Draplin comes to mind. I personally love his style; it’s a great combination of retro and colorful elements. He is humble and stays active in the art community, which helps inspire young artists. I would love to have a conversation about art and life with someone like him.
What inspires you? How do you find inspiration?
The world around me! It could be details from a house, songs, movies, or conversations with people. Once, I even drew my hairbrush 100 times to create abstract art.
If you could give one piece of advice to someone looking to refine their workspace, what would it be?
Prioritize functionality. It’s essential to choose elements that work well within the space, creating a cohesive and productive environment. Your workspace directly influences your work ethic and mood, so selecting items that promote focus and positivity should be a top priority.
Thank you, Erica, for giving us a glimpse into your creative world and how organization fuels your artistic process. Feeling inspired by her colorful, retro-infused designs? Stay connected and explore more of Erica’s work on Instagram at @willowterrastudio.
Erica's favorite color, obviously, is Bisley Orange.