We were lucky to catch up with Ana Patitú recently and have shared our conversation below.
Hi Ana, thank you so much for opening up with us about some important, but sometimes personal topics. One that really matters to us is overcoming Imposter Syndrome because we’ve seen how so many people are held back in life because of this and so we’d really appreciate hearing about how you overcame Imposter Syndrome.
Reading books and staying disciplined. I believe that imposter syndrome never truly leaves you, but it can be kept under control. Reading The Artist’s Way by Julia Cameron (twice), The War of Art and Do the Work by Steven Pressfield, and Daily Stoic by Ryan Holiday helped me greatly in silencing that inner voice that criticizes and undervalues you. At the same time, working with discipline, without expecting results, helps you build an undeniable body of work, step by step, that cannot be refuted by any detracting voice (internal or external).
Appreciate the insights and wisdom. Before we dig deeper and ask you about the skills that matter and more, maybe you can tell our readers about yourself?
I was born and raised in Buenos Aires, Argentina, where I studied graphic design and worked in the field for over 10 years. At the same time, I took painting classes with various local artists. I painted as a hobby. I was good at it since childhood and really enjoyed the sense of disconnect from the world, that feeling of losing track of time.
In 2016, my girlfriend was offered a great job in Barcelona, and we decided to give it a try. I continued working as a designer, but without my loved ones around, I started to feel depressed. That year was tough—therapy helped, but the only thing that got me out of the house was swimming. My therapist recommended reconnecting with art, finding a space, and getting out of the house. So, I searched and found a shared studio to start painting again. That’s when I began creating portraits, which I later realized were portraits of my loved ones who I missed deeply. It was then that I started to understand the therapeutic power of it all. I NEED to paint (or draw).
In 2019, with the unconditional support of my girlfriend, I decided to dedicate myself full-time to art.
As a result of that process of feeling uprooted and recovering, I found it interesting to explore the relationship between the human body in water and emotions, which led to my series of swimmers. I wanted to explore and try to capture the different states I went through and physical sensations like floating, moving slowly, being submerged, feeling weightless, gliding by inertia, hearing the muffled sounds that come distorted through water, and evoking the memory of the womb.
For me, art is a channel for expression, a way to manifest unconscious things. It’s being able to communicate with colors, movements, and sounds to understand through the right side of the brain, which is contrary to logic.
There is so much advice out there about all the different skills and qualities folks need to develop in order to succeed in today’s highly competitive environment and often it can feel overwhelming. So, if we had to break it down to just the three that matter most, which three skills or qualities would you focus on?
The first thing is discipline, whatever you do. For painters, it’s about painting, going to the studio regularly. Paint when you feel like it, and paint when you don’t, when you’re inspired, and when you don’t know what to do. That’s the difference between a hobby and a profession.
The second thing is persistence, which might sound negative, but I don’t see it that way. Determination is needed to achieve what you set out to do. Life is full of interruptions and distractions, and if you’re not clear about where you want to go, you’ll get lost in the fog.
The third thing, which is a bit obvious, is your mastery of your subject. If you’re a painter, you have to know your materials, techniques, surfaces, etc. Learn and practice continuously to express what you want or need to express.
What is the number one obstacle or challenge you are currently facing and what are you doing to try to resolve or overcome this challenge?
Right now, my biggest obstacle is financial. I can’t manage to make a decent living from my art.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.anapatitu.com
so if you or someone you know deserves recognition please let us know here.
