Meet Alina Butina

 

We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Alina Butina a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.

Alina, so great to be with you and I think a lot of folks are going to benefit from hearing your story and lessons and wisdom. Imposter Syndrome is something that we know how words to describe, but it’s something that has held people back forever and so we’re really interested to hear about your story and how you overcame imposter syndrome.

When I started painting in 2020, imposter syndrome was overwhelming. My first pieces left me so self-conscious that I left them by the garbage, hoping someone might take them. Even one negative comment would shake me. But over the years, I realized that perfection isn’t the goal—consistency and growth are. Art taught me self-acceptance, and with each piece, I built resilience. Now, four years later, being accepted into the Beverly Hills art show feels like a testament to overcoming those doubts. Imposter syndrome may linger, but I’ve learned to protect my art, embrace my journey, and keep creating regardless of criticism.

Great, so let’s take a few minutes and cover your story. What should folks know about you and what you do?

I began painting during COVID, using art as a creative outlet without initially taking it too seriously. It’s been a journey of stops and starts—I painted my first mural in 2021, sold a few paintings, and gradually realized how much I wanted to pursue art full-time. This year, I made the leap from my freelance marketing career to focus entirely on my art and fashion. I now create both original paintings and custom, hand-painted clothing, combining my passion for visual art with wearable design. Recently, I showcased my work at the Beverly Hills Art Show, which was an incredible success and validated this new path. Right now, I’m building my next collection, experimenting with new mediums like oil, and exploring creative ways to blend art and fashion.

Looking back, what do you think were the three qualities, skills, or areas of knowledge that were most impactful in your journey? What advice do you have for folks who are early in their journey in terms of how they can best develop or improve on these?

Reflecting on my journey, three qualities have been pivotal: self-acceptance, openness to new opportunities, and consistency.

1. Self-Acceptance: Overcoming my inner critic was key. Once I learned to accept myself and my art, I was able to create without constant self-doubt. For anyone starting out, I’d say don’t let that inner voice hold you back. Embrace your unique style, and trust that it will resonate with the right audience.
2. Saying Yes to New Opportunities: Being open to new experiences can be transformative. I took on my first mural without knowing if I was “good enough” for it, and it turned out to be a major milestone. Stepping outside your comfort zone is where real growth happens, so be open to trying new things—even if they seem intimidating.
3. Consistency: Art is like a muscle; the more you work at it, the stronger it becomes. Consistency may feel like small, daily efforts, but those drops of hard work accumulate. Keep showing up for your art, and the progress will follow.

One of our goals is to help like-minded folks with similar goals connect and so before we go we want to ask if you are looking to partner or collab with others – and if so, what would make the ideal collaborator or partner?

I’m always open to connecting with other creatives, especially influencers and musicians, who resonate with my work and would love to collaborate on showcasing my custom clothing and artwork. Additionally, I have experience organizing gala fundraisers for a breast cancer foundation and am passionate about supporting meaningful causes. I’d love to contribute my art to charity auctions or similar events to make a positive impact. If you’re interested in collaborating, please reach out—I’d love to connect!

Contact Info:

Image Credits

Photo by Lilia Kazakova

Suggest a Story: BoldJourney is built on recommendations from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems,
so if you or someone you know deserves recognition please let us know here.
Leadership Development
Empathy Unlocked: Understanding how to Develop Emotional Intelligence

“Empathy is the starting point for creating a community and taking action. It’s the impetus

Productivity
Where do you get your work ethic from?

We’ve all heard the phrase “work hard, play hard,” but where does our work ethic

Productivity
Boosting Productivity Through Self-Care

When you have a never-ending to-do list it can feel irresponsible to engage in self-care,