Meet Julian Clove

 

We were lucky to catch up with Julian Clove recently and have shared our conversation below.

Julian, first a big thank you for taking the time to share your thoughts and insights with us today. I’m sure many of our readers will benefit from your wisdom, and one of the areas where we think your insight might be most helpful is related to imposter syndrome. Imposter syndrome is holding so many people back from reaching their true and highest potential and so we’d love to hear about your journey and how you overcame imposter syndrome.

When I did art as a hobby—maybe way back in middle school—the sky was the limit! I would draw whatever I felt like drawing or create whatever inspired me. Then, in high school, I came out a bit more as an artist and started getting gassed up. All the love and comments like, “You’re so talented!” “These comics are amazing!” and “You should do this for a living,” really made me feel like I could go far with what I had—so I never stopped.

I carried that energy all the way through college and made whatever I felt like making. Despite some small wins and big accomplishments, I naturally had the idea that I was just another regular artist trying to make it. My fiancée (girlfriend at the time) always believed I was more, but my mindset never shifted.

Then, in 2022, I went viral—back to back—with content I made in my room, stuff I thought would go nowhere. I’m talking millions of views—6M range. It was unbelievable how fast my following grew. That’s when imposter syndrome kicked in.

While I was still thinking of myself as just a regular guy, people started treating me like a celebrity. It’s okay to be humble, but I was still holding myself back, thinking I had just “gotten lucky,” but then I popped out and did it again… and again… and again! That’s when I knew I had the sauce.

But imposter syndrome doesn’t just disappear. It’s a feeling—like jealousy or embarrassment—that shows up but can be worked through over time. I still deal with it. The more I do, and the faster my organic reach grows, the love and support feel amazing—but I still ask myself, “Do I deserve this?” or “Am I even ready for it?”

So no, I haven’t fully overcome imposter syndrome per se, but needless to say—it ain’t stoppin’ nothin’! I do it scared. I do it discouraged. I do it exhausted. But I’m divinely rewarded every time.

Every time someone tells me my art is gold, that it made them feel seen and inspired—even the negative comments (which are hilarious sometimes)—they all give me a reason to keep going.

I never thought it would be lil’ ol’ me getting fan-boyed over. And if I could go back in time and tell my high school self that one day, his art would inspire a lot of people before he even hit his biggest goals—he’d be ecstatic.

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?

My brand is called Clove Vision—an animation company based in Atlanta that specializes in bringing nostalgic visions to life through traditional 2D animation. I’m Julian Clove, the founder and creative force behind it all. So far, Clove Vision has been commission-based, and I’ve had the pleasure of freelancing everything from music videos, cover art, and commercials to YouTube intros, illustrations, and even custom birthday cards. If it can be drawn or animated—I can bring it to life!

What makes Clove Vision special is the heart behind it. My work is deeply rooted in emotion, storytelling, and a love for the classics. I want people to feel something—whether it’s joy, inspiration, or a wave of childhood nostalgia.

Right now, I’m developing multiple projects including original TV shows, comic series, and submissions to film festivals. Every piece is a step closer to building something bigger: CloveVision Network, a creative hub for unique animated content that connects with people on a deeper level.

Stay tuned—and follow along as I grow this into something unforgettable!

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?

Number one was to remain humble. I read a book a while back called The Go-Giver by Bob Burg and John David Mann, and one of the first principles they shared was the Law of Value. I started my career doing things for free and giving back where I could. That began with volunteering, but when it came to art, I would find someone I wanted to work with and simply ask how I could assist. Sometimes they needed help and would put me to work! It was busy, unpaid work, but it led to partnerships, projects, and long-time friendships.

Even if I didn’t have the skills they needed, I would refer them to someone I knew could do the job better—that’s part of the Law of Value, too. Nowadays, I do the same for others who want to work with me. Some people feel hesitant to reach out at first, but I always try to cultivate a safe and welcoming space—and that’s led to even greater possibilities and collaborations.

The second quality is a two-in-one: being open-minded while also having walk-away power. I always hear someone out—whether they have a proposition, a project they want to collaborate on, or even just something they’d like me to be part of. People will tell you exactly what you need to know if you listen and ask the right questions. Backgrounds and appearances don’t matter to me as much—it’s all about communication. I need to know whether what they’re saying resonates with me so I can decide whether to move forward or move on. But everything is considered (within reason).

Third is a skill: business. Talent without knowledge is wasted potential. I wish I had taken business more seriously in college—or at the very least taken a course. My struggle was monetizing my gift, or at least using it to the best of my ability. You don’t need a grand idea—it could be one of a million “Live, Laugh, Love” graphics made in Photoshop or something simple—but the point is: it’s futile without hustle behind it. That was the difference between being a business owner and a freelancer, for me.

Who is your ideal client or what sort of characteristics would make someone an ideal client for you?

My ideal client is someone with a vision. In short, someone who sees exactly what they want, but might not exactly be able to create it how they want. A business, or individual for has a desired goal for why they want to create something, but they might not know how to make it appealing, or eye-catching. Dreamers, basically.

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