Karla Smith-Brown

Oct 7, 2026

KARLA SMITH-BROWN | LIBRA | FLORAL DESIGN

Karla is an observational floral artist and founder of OLIVEE Floral. Her Brooklyn-based practice creates intuitive compositions that ground us in a sense of place. To Karla, her work is an invitation back to the present. There are so many distractions/obligations/competing thoughts—her floral artistry forces the audience to pause and be present.

"A flower is the product of a plant’s life work. Celebrate its beauty and spread its joy!"

personal oasis

Q: What does your personal oasis look like today?

A: Bubble bath with a good book, music and a tall glass of water (or wine).

Finding time to relax.

Q: What's inspiring you lately?

A: Being outside. Feet in the grass. Learning about the approaches, values, quirks, and processes of other artists. Ruth asawa. Her recent retrospective exhibit at moma was deeply inspiring and led to a new way of understanding/approaching my work and way of living. I appreciate how she merged every aspect of her life - including daily chores, family life, and community activitism - into a single creative practice.

Ritual

Q: What brings you back to yourself when life feels noisy?

A: Getting out of my head and into my body reminds me of my strength and power to transcend the noise and come back to myself. Another fool proof way of coming back to myself is by journaling. When I'm spiraling, the only way to clear my mind is to pour my thoughts out onto paper freely.

Q: Describe a ritual that has quietly changed your life.

A: Gua sha face massages and morning walks before the day really begins. Taking a quiet moment to show up for myself before I need to show up for everyone else.

Karla in her Brooklyn studio.

NATURE

Q: Where do you go to feel most like yourself?

A: Near or on the water. My studio is a few blocks away from the brooklyn bridge waterfront, so I often choose to commute to work by ferry. Being next to and observing a body of water and its movement puts a lot into perspective and I find myself drawn to it for clarity, peace and reflection.

Scent

Q: If a stranger could use one word to describe your smell, what would you want it to be?

A: Intoxicating

Q: How do you want a scent to make you feel?

A: Memorable, confident, sexy

Looking Beyond

Q: Which AYOND fragrance feels most like this chapter of your life?

A: Flower eater - right now I’m constantly seeking balance and appreciation for duality. This fragrance feels both bright and fresh yet still has a grounding depth and unapologetic spice.