We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Ieesha Naeema a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.
Hi Ieesha, 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.
Conquering imposter syndrome has long been a personal challenge, particularly in my creative career. My lack of an art degree made me question my eligibility for various artistic opportunities, leading to a string of rejections from art grants, competitions, and more. Seeing my artistic peers succeed would ignite a desire to prove my worth, only to be met with self-doubt when opportunities came knocking.
Then, in January 2023, a college friend reached out with a recommendation for a mural project. I hesitated, citing my inexperience in mural painting, but he insisted I take the call. With reluctance, I agreed. When I expressed my doubts about being the right artist for such a significant project, the response was, “Yeah, I’ve seen your work. I’m not buying that.” So, we moved forward.
To secure the commission, I had to create a rendering showcasing my proposed mural. It gained approval, and we began discussing the logistics. However, just before I was set to start, I received the devastating news of my uncle’s sudden passing in Chicago. The excitement and nervousness turned into pain, sadness, and doubt. I wasn’t sure I could complete the mural, especially while mourning my uncle. Despite the emotional turmoil, I managed to push through and make substantial progress before returning home to lay my uncle to rest.
The outcome was a remarkable mural that beautifully showcased the creativity and innovation of black art students. Throughout the project, I grappled with self-doubt at every turn, but I persevered. The compliments I received on the mural’s progress and my artistic style significantly boosted my confidence. What made it even more rewarding was that I was paid for my work.
This experience profoundly affirmed my purpose: to create and inspire my community. It was hard to believe that just 1-2 months earlier, I had been anxious about the prospect of my first mural, and now, I had successfully completed a massive 12’x58.5′ mural at The California Institute of the Arts.
This journey ultimately led me to embrace additional art opportunities, with a notable milestone being the completion of my first illustration/brand collaboration in the summer of 2023. It’s been a transformative process that has reinforced my self-worth and belief in my artistic capabilities. This realization was made possible through my own courage and the unyielding support of a team of individuals who never stopped believing in me, guiding me to never give up.
Great, so let’s take a few minutes and cover your story. What should folks know about you and what you do?
I am Ieesha Naeema, a visual artist originally from Chicago but currently residing in Los Angeles. Creativity has been a constant in my life from a young age. My freelance visual artist career officially began in 2015, focusing on creating vibrant, pop art acrylic paintings that celebrated the positive influence of African American culture. In 2020, during a temporary relocation to Las Vegas, I transitioned to digital art due to space constraints. I taught myself digital illustration using Procreate and expanded my online shop to offer my artwork on apparel and home products.
Recently, I’ve been concentrating on brand collaborations and partnerships. My goal by mid-2024 is to establish an LLC for my art business, enabling me to secure funding through art grants and further expand my creative venture. After nearly a decade on this journey, I’ve grown more comfortable in my identity as an artist. I now embrace challenging opportunities and no longer dwell on creative blocks. I’ve learned not to rush my creative process. I find peace in knowing that I’m always an artist, whether I create daily or take extended breaks. I’ve started giving myself more grace, recognizing the remarkable gift that will continuously open doors for me, both financially and artistically.
If you had to pick three qualities that are most important to develop, which three would you say matter most?
On my artistic journey, three vital qualities have played a significant role: curiosity, perseverance, and courage.
Curiosity has been my driving force. Whether it was improving my blending techniques, learning to plan and host paint parties, or diving into digital illustration, I’ve always been eager to explore and expand my skills. I watched tutorials, sought guidance from admired artists, and studied those with art styles similar to mine.
Perseverance has been my anchor through numerous rejections and setbacks. Art opportunities often slipped through my fingers, and each rejection made it tougher to put my work out there. Yet, I reminded myself that my path wouldn’t mirror my peers’, so I kept creating and sharing my art, knowing that the breakthrough I sought would come.
Courage has been my guiding principle. I hold onto the advice never to count myself out until I receive an official “no.” This mindset served me well in my first mural project and my initial illustration/brand collaboration. It also guides my approach to project submissions, ensuring I exude calm confidence and belief in my work.
These three qualities continue to fuel my growth, both as an artist and as a woman.
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 eager to expand my portfolio with more brand collaborations and partnerships. My art celebrates African American pop culture from a feminine perspective, using vibrant colors. Dream collaborations include brands like Fenty Beauty, Essence, Black Girl Sunscreen, Strong Black Lead (Netflix), Nike, and BET, among others. If you share the goal of amplifying black artists’ voices and appreciate colorful artistic expression, I’d be thrilled to discuss potential collaborations.
For updates and to explore my work, follow me on Instagram at @creationsbyina_ or visit my website at www.ieeshanaeema.com. Your interest and support mean the world to me.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.ieeshanaeema.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/creationsbyina_/
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ieesha-abdur-rahman/
