Sophia Smith: Sticker Extraodinaire
Story by Taylor "Uʻi" Barongan, photos provided by Sophia Smith
At a glance, Sophia Smith is a local Puna girl who graduated from (Hawaiʻi Academy of Arts and Science) HAAS, partied at Uncle Roberts on Wednesdays, enjoys hanging out at the beach, and is always catching a plane somewhere. Yet, the engaging enthusiasm in her personality invites any listener to become captivated by her fascinating tales of adventure and enticed by her eye-catching art.
Sophia poses with 'Noodle'.
Sophie is an emerging artist from the Big Island who has made a name for herself selling stickers and jewelry at Nicoco Hawaiian Gelato shop. She works primarily with digital media on apps like Procreate, but also loves to work with watercolor and acrylics. Her stickers often depict cute and fun creatures from Hawaiʻi. When she isn’t doing art, Sophie enjoys traveling, skateboarding, aerial arts, rock climbing, and freediving - all of which have clear influences in her art. From a young age, Sophie loved art - even if she wasn’t always selling it.
“As a kid I would be perpetually doodling in all my classes. I also loved spending time in nature and with animals, which I still love,” Sophie said. “I never saw myself selling my art, I guess I didn’t feel talented enough.”
Though Sophie’s views are critical of her own art, they showcase the doubts that every artist has regardless of skill level. However, Sophie did not let her doubts get to her as she states, “…but stickers are a fun and inexpensive way to share my art with people. I’m glad I started doing it.” Despite her doubts, Sophie is still able to use her art for change and her pieces encourage the community to participate in promoting change as well.
Blue whale sticker made by Smith.
Sophie is currently majoring in Ecology, Evolution, and Conservation Biology at UH Hilo. It’s no surprise that the subjects in Sophie’s art are often native plants and animals that she is passionate about protecting and bringing awareness to. Sophie is currently trying to create more awareness by depicting many endemic species, “especially for tourists that sometimes never see or hear of them when they come to visit,” Sophie emphasizes. In the future, she hopes to use her designs to fund conservation efforts.
“Ideally I will eventually get my PhD in Biology- I’m not sure what specific area of biology I want to focus in yet. Choosing between marine and terrestrial biology is a tough decision for me. After that, I’d like to become a university professor so I can help prepare future conservationists and scientists for their journey.”
In addition to her goals in academia, Sophie has big plans for her career. “I definitely want to work in conservation. I am also getting my TESOL [Teachers of English to Speakers of Other Languages] certificate, so ideally I will be able to work around the world. In the long term I’d like to become a professor, but before that I want to do more short term jobs in conservation and teaching. I’m not sure how much my art will be present in my professional career, but I know it will always be something I do just for myself.”
A kolea (also known as the Pacific Golden Plover) sticker, made by Smith. The kolea makes annual migrations between Hawaiʻi and Alaska.
Her passion for conservation translated into her involving herself in internships such as (Pacific Internship Programs for Exploring Science) PIPES, where she researched the effect of ambrosia beetles on ʻōhiʻa lehua trees with the United States Geological Survey (USGS). Her internship evolved into the project she does now for USGS - investigating the spread of ROD (Rapid ʻōhiʻa Death). In the past, Sophie has also worked with the UH Hilo Marine Mammal Laboratory and plans to continue her work with them in the future. It is clear from her art pieces and her scientific background that Sophie creates with intention. When asked what she wanted people to take away from her creations, she replied “to appreciate the natural world around them, especially the unique species that live wherever they may be at any given time.”
Just recently this year, Sophie traveled to Greece, New York, and Kauaʻi in search of good times and new ideas for art.
“Whenever I visit a new place, I love seeing all the different animals there- even if it’s just a squirrel or a pigeon in a city, I still get excited to see them. I think the animals that live in a certain place tell you so much about it. Each place gave me new ideas for more art- especially Kauaʻi, which is so close to home and similar, but still remarkably different and inspiring.” Though she loves to travel, home is still Sophie’s greatest source of inspiration. “Growing up here [in Hawai‘i] helped foster an appreciation for nature, especially the ocean, and all our incredible native species.” In addition to all of her other hobbies, Sophie spoke about how she likes to incorporate the ocean into her work. “I think freediving gives me the most artistic inspiration- seeing all the colorful creatures gives me tons of ideas. I love making art of the ocean and all its creatures because I always feel so much calmer whenever I have the chance to go diving or snorkeling.”
Jellyfish earrings made by Smith.
Sophie primarily sells her jewelry and stickers at Hilo Nicoco Hawaiian Gelato shop and displays her artwork on her public Instagram account. Currently, Sophie is open to commissions - and she especially loves doing them for small businesses. In the past, Sophie has done custom pieces for Slow Your Roll and Nicoco, and is open to doing more. With Sophie’s love for conservation and supporting small businesses, she has become an impactful artist within the UH Hilo community. Paired with her dreams of the future of conservation and teaching the next generations, Sophie is destined to keep creating for the community of Hawai‘i as a whole.
To keep up with Sophie’s latest projects, you can follow her at @sophiescritters on Instagram or view her jewelry and sticker creations at Nicocos on Kīlauea Avenue. Be sure to keep an eye out for her website which will be launching soon!