Meet Sophie Unterhaslberger | Custom and fine artist

We had the good fortune of connecting with Sophie Unterhaslberger and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Sophie, what was your thought process behind starting your own business?
I’m on a quest to make regular items so colorful, they will give you a headache. As a child, I would daydream about the world being covered in patterns. Why would I want to eat at a brown table when it could be bright yellow with polka dots? I remember completing a watercolor in 3rd grade and knew something was missing. So before turning it in I covered everything in vibrant stripes and dots. Full of pride, I knew that I had created a piece of art that was also a piece of me. I believe this was the beginning of my love for patterns, intricate details, and bold colors. Once I got older and rekindled with that spark I felt years ago, I began to cover all of my belongings in patterns. Even my walls, which my mom was not thrilled with since we were renting. People started to notice my custom clothing and fine art on instagram and I received my first commissions. This gave me reassurance that this is my passion, and that I could make money from it too. It was a dream come true
I am drawn to the idea of wearable art because it makes art accessible. People can view it anywhere, rather than it being confined to a wall in a prestigious gallery. It’s a way to share art with others and start conversations. But most importantly, you look super cool.
I try to maintain a sustainable practice when I create. I focus on customizing items that my clients already have so that I can give them a second, more colorful life.

Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.
My art career started as a way to cope with my mental health problems. Before I knew that I had Bipolar 2 and understood how to control my emotions, my healthiest coping mechanism was to sit down and spend a realllllly long time making collages with tiny details. This helped me to slow down my thought process and focus on my creations rather than my anxieties. I found it very therapeutic. This is why I tell beginners to try and enjoy the process of creating art rather than worrying about the final product. I go into my art with no expectations and let the process lead me where it wants to go. Art should be fun! Focus on each line, watch the colors spread through your page, and slow down. Life can go by fast. Art can be an opportunity to slow down and be present.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
I have not been in Denver for long! I am currently serving in Americorps NCCC, a national service program. In my time here though I’ve enjoyed hiking around Red Rocks. Basically any hike here is incredible. It is the most beautiful state I have been to! ReCreative is an amazing store to get second hand art supplies, and they also have an awesome vintage shop upstairs named Cloaked in Clown.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
I always admired my brother, Max Unterhaslberger, when I was younger. He is an artist living in Chicago. He showed me that my dream could be a reality. When I was young he would take me out to spray paint with him and even taught a graffiti class that I was a classmate of. I found his unwavering drive to follow his passion inspiring. He spoke confidence into me, helped me build up my skills, and find my style.

Instagram: @sophieunterart

Other: TikTok: @paintoneverything