We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Katelyn Roman. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Katelyn below.
Katelyn , we’re thrilled to have you sharing your thoughts and lessons with our community. So, for folks who are at a stage in their life or career where they are trying to be more resilient, can you share where you get your resilience from?
I grasped the concept of resilience at an early age. At the time, I did not understand how one day I went from having a complete family to being raised by a single mother the next. Despite our circumstances, I saw the resilience in my mother through her hard work and determination to provide for my brother and me, and it was inspiring. From that moment on, I knew I had to give my best too, so at eight years old, I set my mind on my dream of becoming an artist.
To me, art was a safe space, almost like a distraction from reality. Throughout high school, I looked forward to my art classes, where I could relax and let my ideas flow. However, balancing my art with academics was not always easy. I was an academic and artistic perfectionist, so there were many times when I dealt with stress and frustration. I remember spending countless nights working on homework to be the best student I could be, to pursue my dream, and refusing to accept anything else. The routine I had adopted was not easy, but seeing my mother adapt and overcome the challenges she faced and having the support of my family fueled my resilience and determination. As the years passed, I gained new family members, and their presence and admiration for my craft helped me more than ever.
I began my freshman year of SCAD in 2021, and as a first-generation college student, I was more than grateful to have the opportunity to turn my dream into a reality. Despite being far from home, I knew I was not alone, I had my relationship with Jesus. My faith gave me the strength to continue striving and fighting for my goals. However, there were days when I felt like giving up. Once, I spent over 3 hours in my car alone, staring out the window, asking God if I was even good enough as an artist. Other times, I would use humor to cover up my doubt, like joking about becoming a real estate agent instead. But what pulled me out of my head and kept me grounded was being surrounded by a faith-based community that welcomed and helped me when troubles arose. When faced with challenges, I remember that I am not fighting the battle alone. Many have heard the saying, “What doesn’t kill you makes you stronger.” Similarly, there is a bible verse that I hold dear to my heart, Isaiah 40:31, which states, “But those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint.” Above all, my strength comes from the Lord.
After reflecting on my journey, I see that my resilience comes from my family, faith, and the trials I have endured. Strength does not come easily, it is something that is created through experience and perseverance. To me, resilience is a big part of who I am as an artist, whether I am pushing myself to create the best illustration or adapting to changes in life as a recent graduate. Whatever comes my way, I can stand confidently and strong, regardless of the challenges ahead.
Let’s take a small detour – maybe you can share a bit about yourself before we dive back into some of the other questions we had for you?
I am an Illustrator and Visual Development Artist, and a recent graduate from the Savannah College of Art and Design (SCAD). I grew up in Rome, GA, and I am a second-generation Mexican-American who, at eight years old, began working towards my dream of becoming a professional artist. As an Illustrator, my goal is to inspire others through my work, whether it is designing characters, concepts, or visual narratives. Having the freedom to express myself and be a visual storyteller is what I love most about what I do. As a recent graduate, I am currently working as a freelance Illustrator, growing my clientele and helping to bring conceptual ideas to life. As I begin to market myself as an artist and promote my artwork professionally, I remain open to any creative opportunities and collaborations that will help me grow, gain new artistic skills, and inspire others.
If you had to pick three qualities that are most important to develop, which three would you say matter most?
As I reflect on my artistic journey, I see that the three qualities that have helped me are perseverance, self-discipline, and communication. Before and after my time at SCAD, there were times when I struggled with staying motivated because of the effects of burnout, especially as an artist who’s constantly creating and concepting. Burnout, or what we as artists call “art block,” is rarely easy to cope with, however, I believe that over time, my perseverance to continue pushing forward and having the discipline to do so is what has made me a stronger artist. In addition, my self-discipline is something that I have grown and continue to master over time. Sticking to a routine and planning out how my day looks in my sketchbook or planner has allowed me to stay on track with my art projects and reduce unwanted stress. For me, discipline is not aiming for perfection, instead, it is learning how to balance my work and social life healthily. Moreover, my ability to communicate has and continues to benefit me when seeking feedback on my illustration projects. Giving and receiving critique on my work has been an important step to growing and refining my artistic skills and techniques, which is why communication is such an essential tool in what I do.
For those who are early on in their journey and looking to improve or develop their perseverance, self-discipline, and communication skills, I recommend surrounding yourself with a group of friends who will inspire and motivate you. Seeing my friends work hard and persevere through their projects helped me grow and stay on track, especially since we had similar goals and interests. Knowing that you are not alone in your journey is reassuring, and having others with whom you can communicate and give you valuable feedback, and hold you accountable for your work can make a big difference. One last piece of advice that I can give is to ask questions, curiosity helps us grow and opens room for improvement on the skills that we build.
Before we go, any advice you can share with people who are feeling overwhelmed?
When I feel overwhelmed, I often like to take small breaks, gather with my community, and seek spiritual guidance. Taking the time to step away from my art projects and enjoy small breaks is an efficient way for me to reduce stress and overstimulation. I go on small walks outside with a friend or by myself, and enjoy the sunshine and fresh air, which helps me calm my mind. I also like to treat myself to a cup of my favorite coffee to give me a little boost and raise my energy levels. Other times, I may not have enough time to go out, so I pull out my sketchbook and sketch my surroundings. I find that sketching traditionally helps me take my eyes off my screen and allows me to relax while still thinking creatively. As an Illustrator, oftentimes I may experience art block, which makes concentrating on my tasks more difficult, but small breaks have helped me significantly when I am on a tight schedule. In addition, gathering with my community is another way for me to step away from my workload and spend time with friends and family throughout the week. I commune with my church family twice a week for worship and Bible study, and it is here where I get the opportunity to have meaningful conversations, receive advice, and set aside the distractions of my day. Similarly, seeking spiritual guidance is another way for me to renew my strength, whether in community or by myself. There have been times when I feel myself getting overwhelmed even before I start a project, it is like I am unsure of where to start or how I am going to get it done in time. Instead of allowing my emotions to get the best of me, I step aside and devote some time to reading my Bible, listening to worship music, and praying. My relationship with Jesus is what has led me through my hardest times, and spending time with him is what keeps me grounded and focused on my work without getting too overwhelmed.
Surely there will be times when it seems like you are frozen to the feeling of being overwhelmed; however, instead of letting it get the best of you I suggest taking the time to step aside from the busyness of life and take some time to gather with friends and family, or simply grab a cup of your favorite coffee and breath some fresh air. Most importantly, remember to give yourself grace; at the end of the day, we are just human.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://katromzart.wixsite.com/katelynroman
- Instagram: https://instagram.com/katromz/?hl=en
- Linkedin: https://linkedin.com/in/katelyn-roman
- Other: Art Email: [email protected]
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