“I’ve fallen in love with Millvale while painting the facade of my studio and putting up big wacky paper installations in my windows. I’ve met neighbors and passerby and it has been so special to receive such a warm supportive welcome. I’m so excited to be a part of this community and open my mini storefront in the neighborhood.”

From her tidy Millvale storefront, illustrator, and letterpress printer Sophia Marie Pappas creates lively, playful illustrations, prints, and paper goods inspired by the simple joys found in the everyday. A Michigan-native with experience in Europe and the West Coast, Sophia landed in Pittsburgh in 2017 drawn to the space, community, and opportunity of her adopted hometown. As an illustrator, Sophia is an observer by nature. She carefully pays attention to the details while walking about town and gathering with family and friends. Those vignettes find their way into her cheerful designs.

She conceived Studio PDP (for Paper De Pappas) in 2020 as a brand and imprint for her bright and playful creations. Day-to-day she focuses on digitally crafting editorial illustrations for a bevy of local and national magazines and small businesses, with an emphasis on food and Restaurants. She also produces a rotating series of colorful paper products for sale, including art prints, greeting cards, bookmarks, small books, gift tags, coasters, and business collateral. Studio PDP’s unique storefront showroom and workspace serves as a locus for all these activities, and helps tie the concepts, colors, and designs of Sophia’s work together in one location.