Meet Paul Rentler

We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Paul Rentler. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Paul below.

Paul, 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.

I can’t say that imposter syndrome has completely gone away, but I definitely feel it less and less as time goes on. At first, I struggled with it because I wasn’t sure of what I was doing. I was still searching for that inner voice that could reassure me that what I was creating had value. However, something shifted in my mindset once I started feeling confident in what I was trying to accomplish. The more I worked and the more I created, the better I felt about myself as a creator.

I think the key to overcoming imposter syndrome was realizing that I was making things for myself first and foremost. At least one person always liked what I created, even if that person was just me. Interestingly, the more confident I became in my work, the more attention others started to pay to what I was doing. I’ve realized that the imposter syndrome tends to creep up when I focus too much on trying to make things that I think others will like, rather than just doing what I enjoy and caring less about what others might think.

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’m an independent artist, designer, and maker based in Columbus, Ohio. My work blends lo-fi photocopy-style collage, illustration, design, printmaking, and more.

The focus of my work is image manipulation to create strange, distorted, and sometimes comical imagery—always heavy with grit and texture.

I’m excited to hit the road this spring with my work, starting here in Columbus at the Sonic Temple Music and Arts Festival. After that, I’ll head to Detroit for Postergeist 2025, a print-focused event, in mid-May. Like many artists, I spend a lot of time working alone in my studio, so getting out and meeting people is always a refreshing change of pace.

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?

Looking back, I think the three qualities that have had the most impact on my journey are curiosity, embracing the process, and taking initiative.

First, curiosity has been crucial. I’ve always made it a point to try new things and explore different aspects of my craft. Early on, I was curious about how to approach various art styles and techniques, which helped me evolve and grow as an artist.

Second, I’ve learned to enjoy the process rather than worry too much about the outcome. My early work wasn’t great, but I focused on having fun and immersing myself in the process. The refining of my skills came naturally over time. I didn’t stress about making things perfect right away. I understood that putting in the time was an important step, and refinement could come later. This shift in mindset helped me stay motivated and avoid the paralyzing fear of imperfection.

Lastly, I’ve learned the importance of taking initiative and doing the work I want to do, rather than waiting for permission or someone to ask. A great example of this is when I created comic covers in my own style just for fun. I posted them on Instagram, treating them like any other piece of work I was proud of. One day, I received an email inviting me to work on comics—they had seen my covers and wanted me on their team. This experience taught me that sometimes, you don’t need permission to try something new. If you’re proactive and put your work out there, the right opportunities can come to you naturally.

For those just starting their journey, my advice would be to follow your curiosity, focus on enjoying the process rather than the end result, and don’t wait for permission to take action. Take the leap, put your work out there, and the experience you gain along the way will speak for itself, preparing you for the opportunities that come.

Is there a particular challenge you are currently facing?

A significant challenge that I, along with many others, face is burnout. In today’s world, the platforms we use to share our work often require us to be constantly creating and posting new content. Over time, this can create the pressure to never stop or slow down, fearing that we’ll fall behind. Trying to maintain constant productivity becomes draining and, ultimately, unsustainable.

While I wouldn’t say I’ve completely solved burnout, I’ve learned to be gentler with myself. I’ve started taking more breaks, setting clearer boundaries, and saying ‘no’ more often. The key has been to find a pace that feels healthier, and to recognize the early signs of burnout so I can address them before they become overwhelming.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.paulrentler.com
• Instagram: @prentler
• Other: Bluesky @prentler.bsky.social

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