Vivian Sofia is an illustrator, ceramicist, and art instructor based out of Nanoose Bay. She specializes in using colour, pattern, and maximalism to create whimsical compositions and decorative ceramics. She received an MFA and MA from York University, has taught across various art galleries and museums, and now runs Vivian Sofia Designs full time. The studio now focuses on producing ceramic collections and original art prints, alongside other complimentary products.
I make the majority of products at my home studio in Nanoose Bay,Vancouver Island. To produce art prints (and all other paper goods) I paint an original artwork, photograph or scan the work, and then digitally enhance/edit the file. I then print the file on to various paper types and sizes to produce a line of prints or paper goods. My 10 year old daughter Mia earns her allowance by stamping and packaging the prints. We like to add a little sticker that says "Made with love on Vancouver Island", because it was. Ceramic items are also all made and fired at my home studio. In this process, I sometimes have a student assistant who helps me prepare the clay and cut out moulds for the dishes and items. Each piece is hand built or thrown on the pottery wheel, the illustrations are applied with underglaze, carved, and glazed then fired. Some pieces undergo a third firing if gold lustre is added. This process is the same for all our ceramic pieces. Items like pins, get hardware added and packaged. Bookmarks are printed and assembled by me; again with the help of Mia and/or my assistant. We laminate each bookmark, and add a gold tassel plus our branding. The painting kits are also made and assembled in the home studio. The ceramic palettes are thrown in the kiln when I produce other ceramics so they are hand made, glazed and fired here as well. The watercolours and brushes have been outsourced from a wholesale shop in Vancouver. The instruction manuals and paper contents of the kit are designed and printed in my home studio. The packaging and labeling is also done here, with help from Mia or my assistant. I take pride in our items being made in my studio, with a lot of attention to detail. I am also proud to say that all our products are sourced within British Columbia and Canada.
We respectfully acknowledge that the Filberg Festival takes place on the unceded traditional territory of the K'omoks First Nation, Gila 'kasla...Hay ch q'a'.
