Le Petit Elefant by Genevieve Santos

Captain Hook photobomb

Captain Hook photobomb

Crayon etching, age 10

Crayon etching, age 10

WANDERLUSTER & KID-AT-HEART

Genevieve an illustrator & nomadic addict who can't stay in one place for more than six weeks. She’s drawn since she could remember, often recording her favorite cartoons on VHS tape, and studying each illustration frame by frame. This, in all likelihood, made her the worst 5-year-old with whom to watch cartoons.

In 2009 she started her own business, Le Petit Elefant, so she could do what she loves: get lost in the world and express it through art. Genevieve’s wandered all over the world, collecting stories & various materials to use for her art. The art that you see and she produces is an ongoing culmination and mixing of personal experiences, relationships, travels, and a truly deep love for ice cream.

 

A LABOR OF LOVE

Genevieve handles nearly every aspect of her business, from designing and illustrating to printing, scoring, and packaging. She cuts her fabric freehand and sews the plush by hand. It's a lot of work but it's a labor of love.  She doesn’t work from a single studio since she travels so often, but she’s found ways to make her business mobile and take it with her on adventures, specifically while she traveled to 30 countries before age 30. Behind each piece, there’s often a good story to tell.

Genevieve’s participated in various shows and galleries, including WonderGround Gallery in Downtown Disney,  and the Supahcute Team Show. Her works can also be found in stores in the US and internationally. (Click here for a list of stockists.)

 


FAQ

Why did you name your company Le Petit Elefant?

"Le Petit Elefant" is a combination of two things I love: elephants and the book "The Little Prince" or "Le Petit Prince" in French. And I know that I misspelled "Elefant." It was an intentional choice to indicate that though the company name (as well as my own name) is French, I have no French ancestry nor do I speak a word of it. 

30 countries by 30?! Which countries did you visit?

Well! China, Greece, Germany, Italy, Switzerland, Spain, France, UK, El Salvador, Canada, Vatican City, Austria, Czech Republic, The Netherlands, Malaysia, India, Philippines, Singapore, Japan, South Korea, Vietnam, Thailand, Hong Kong, Laos, Cambodia, Australia, New Zealand, Norway, Sweden, Denmark, and Finland. 

More Q&As to come!