Meet Pauline PBehindTheArt

Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Pauline PBehindTheArt. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.

Pauline , so good to have you with us today. We’ve always been impressed with folks who have a very clear sense of purpose and so maybe we can jump right in and talk about how you found your purpose?

This is a great question! I actually had never thought about what my purpose was, until maybe a few years ago. I was feeling like a robot and unfulfilled with my other job. As much as I loved what I was doing, I felt like I could be doing more. I was searching for all these different ways I could better myself, my life and my career. A few years ago I started experiencing anxiety. Because it was so new to me, experiencing the highs and lows of it and dealing with life and work in general, it kind of took over. Growing up, I always drew and painted. So, I started to incorporate that into my daily self-care to bring some ease to my anxiety and get my mind off of it. I started to look for other jobs and still questioning what I should be doing if I didn’t want to stay in the beauty industry anymore. I knew I wanted an out, but I didn’t know what I should be doing. I took all these personality and career aptitude tests, and it would keep giving me things like “artistic”, “creative”, “artist”, “hair and/or makeup artist” and I would laugh because I would say “Well, I’m already in that field so what now?” Concerns about leaving the beauty industry added to the stress, but open and honest conversations with my clients, and myself, helped with these challenges. I read a few books, “Ikigai” and “Discover your Dharma: A Vedic guide to finding your purpose” to name a few, that really helped provide clarity and direction on my journey to finding my purpose. Fast forward to today, I am balancing two careers. I am still in the beauty industry, but my main focus is being a visual artist and muralist. I think our purpose in life will continue to change as we get older, and we go through different phases in our lives. For me, it’s still being an artist, and being creative, but in a different way. As a muralist, I’m able to share more of my creativity with the world and bring communities together by beautifying public spaces and inspiring children with the murals that are painted at their schools.

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’m born and raised in Los Angeles, California. I’m a visual artist and muralist, and I create unique designs on walls and other surfaces. I use a variety of techniques and materials to bring a vision to life.

I have collaborated with the city of Burbank, various organizations and businesses to create art throughout the community. Some of my work include “A tale of two cities”, depicting my cultural roots and a 90’s themed utility box sponsored by Warner Brothers. To get more involved in the community, I have been a part of many group art shows and pop-up events, and have been painting murals at local elementary schools and businesses.

I self-published my very first children’s coloring book titled, ‘Beyond The Basics: A Plant Powered Adventure Coloring Book’ where it focuses on fruits, vegetables, herbs, spices and plants from all over the world and goes beyond the basics of our everyday fruits and vegetables. It’s available on Amazon currently.

I broke into the LA Art’s District by being a part of a group art show at Art Share LA called “CANceptual.” My latest collaboration was with Global Inheritance where I painted a recycling bin for Coachella.

What’s special about what I do is that I get to create different designs for different spaces and work with different people. Not one project is the same, and I love that because it keeps me wanting more, wondering what’s next.

I believe that creating art can bring people together, beautify public spaces and promote cultural diversity. Art can also have a positive impact on mental health and well-being, as it provides an outlet for creativity and self-expression.

I am currently focusing on creating more murals for schools, businesses, Airbnb’s and other places to beautify their space, and include my culture in my work and inspire younger generations to go after their dreams. I may also be working on another coloring book for children, so follow me to see more updates on that!

If you had to pick three qualities that are most important to develop, which three would you say matter most?

I would say perseverance, communication, self-reflection and learning had a lot to do with moving forward in my journey. The journey was (and sometimes still is) filled with challenges, including balancing two jobs and dealing with uncertainty and anxiety. My ability to persevere throughout these difficult times was crucial. Staying committed to my vision, despite the discomfort and obstacles, allowed me to gradually transition into a more fulfilling career. Having open and honest questions with my clients and myself were essential in managing the transition and balancing my responsibilities. These conversations helped me set realistic expectations and navigate both careers. Using different resources provided valuable insights into my strengths and passions, guiding me toward a clearer sense of purpose.

An advice I would give others is to cultivate perseverance. Understanding the path to discovering your purpose may be challenging and uncomfortable at times. Stay committed to your goals, even when faced with setbacks. Stay on your path and embrace the journey. If you’re balancing multiple responsibilities or considering a major change, communicate openly with those who may be affected. Regardless of if they are family, friends, colleagues or clients. Set clear expectations and be transparent about your intentions. Also, invest time in understanding yourself better. Seek out different resources that resonate with you. Self-reflection is key to identifying your true passions and strengths, which will guide you toward finding your purpose.

Is there a particular challenge you are currently facing?

Since May is Mental Health Awareness Month, I would like to highlight the number one obstacle I am currently facing; managing my anxiety, especially as I transition from my previous career in the beauty industry to becoming a full-time artist. The uncertainty and pressure associated with this career change can sometimes heighten my anxiety, making it challenging to stay focused and positive.

To overcome this challenge, I am actively implementing several strategies. I immerse myself in creating art, which helps manage my anxiety by providing a therapeutic and calming outlet. It keeps me productive and fulfilled. I practice mindfulness and meditation techniques to help ground myself and reduce stress. I also incorporate working out into my daily routine, focusing on yoga, pilates and strength training. I reach out to a handful of supportive and encouraging people in my life who truly understand what I am going through, which has helped alleviate some of the anxiety symptoms. I have done therapy to further help understand and manage my anxiety. To reduce stress, I try to maintain a balanced schedule, carefully managing my time between art projects and other commitments. This helps prevent burnout and ensures I have time for self-care and relaxation. Lastly, I maintain a healthy diet, which is essential for managing stress and anxiety. Eating whole, nutritious, plant-based foods help stabilize my mood, increase energy levels and improve overall mental clarity.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.pbehindtheart.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/pbehindtheart
• Other: https://linktr.ee/pbehindtheart

Image Credits

Recycling Bin Photos:
Coachella X Global Inheritance 2024 “Make Recycling Fetch” Photography: Gaby Diemeke