We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Juliana Castro a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.
Juliana, 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.
As a young illustrator trying to grow her business, I don’t think I have entirely overcome imposter syndrome, but I have definitely learned how to manage it. When you are an artist, you pour your heart and soul into each piece you create and then you put it out into the world that sometimes is very critical and subjective, and that makes you doubt yourself, and wonder if you are good enough or if maybe you just got lucky. What has helped me manage the impostor syndrome is realizing that the feeling of being an imposter is not based on reality, but rather my own insecurities, and my fear of being a failure. Through journaling and meditation, I have been able to shift my perspective and realize a couple of things:
1) Whenever clients approach me with their ideas, they are approaching me because they like my work and believe in me. So if a client thinks I can do it, why shouldn’t I think so as well?
2) Failure is not the end of the world. It is a way to learn and improve. For example, now that I am looking for an agent and submitting my portfolio, I have decided that I want that my goal is to get 100 rejections. This helps normalize failure and shift my mindset so that I don’t let one rejection get the best of me.
3) At the end of the day, I am the expert on my art!
So I think the key is to have a positive mindset, give up the negative self-talk, and remember that you are capable of doing whatever it is you want. Yes, there will be people that will try and knock you down, and imposter syndrome will rise up again, but remember the reason why you started creating, and that no one can make art the way you do, so if you don’t do it, then who will?
Great, so let’s take a few minutes and cover your story. What should folks know about you and what you do?
I am a Children’s book Illustrator and Visual Development Artist from Colombia, currently based in the US. Over a year ago, I embarked on my freelancing journey, establishing a business that specializes in illustration services for Children’s books, Education, Motion Media, Pet Portraits, and Stickers. I became an illustrator because I have a deep passion for drawing and painting, and I believe that you should pursue the things that make you happy in life. To do this, I pursued a Bachelor’s degree in illustration with a concentration in concept art for animation at SCAD (Savannah College of Art and Design). From the very beginning, I aspired to be a freelancer. Initially, it may have been driven by the fear of not finding an in-house position, but as time went on, I realized that freelancing offered something much more valuable to me—freedom and flexibility. While freelancing presents its own challenges, it allows me to be the happiest version of myself.
I am a conservationist at heart, and I infuse this passion into my illustrations. Through my art, I strive to raise awareness about endangered species, the beauty of nature, the environment, Hispanic culture, and the significance of diversity and representation. Simultaneously, I aim to bring smiles to people’s faces. My illustrations serve as a teaching tool, inspiring younger audiences by showcasing the incredible wonders of our world—its diverse cultures and the importance of preserving and celebrating it.
If you’re seeking someone to create fun, vibrant illustrations geared towards younger audiences—whether for a product, website, poster, or personal commission—I warmly invite you to reach out. Don’t hesitate to connect, as I would love to be a part of your creative journey!
If you had to pick three qualities that are most important to develop, which three would you say matter most?
I think the three qualities that have helped me get to where I am right now and that will help me continue to grow my business are self-discipline, determination, and resilience! Being a full-time freelancer and my own boss, I have to be self-disciplined because no one else is there to push me. I can’t let the fact that I am tired or feeling lazy one day prevent me from working on and in the business. I have to be my own cheerleader, and that is what keeps me from giving up. Self-discipline also comes in the aspect of time management, because being a one-person business, I can only do so much in one day. So breaking down the projects in smaller pieces and sticking to my schedule helps me be productive and deliver final illustrations on time! With this comes, determination as well. I have one goal, and it is to be able to live comfortably with my art. Every day, I work towards that goal and I am determined that I will make it happen. Lastly, resilience is big, because starting your own business as an artist is not easy. There will be tons of challenges and rejections, but that doesn’t mean that you can’t succeed. Always pick yourself up, change your mindset, and look at the challenges, failures, and rejections as a way to learn and improve, so that the next time you face a similar situation you know how to handle it better!
Thanks so much for sharing all these insights with us today. Before we go, is there a book that’s played in important role in your development?
Everything I have learned about business and being in the industry has been thanks to tons of books, podcasts, and hours of research. So it is very hard to pick just one book. But I would have to say, that Jen Sincero’s “You Are a Badass” books have been the reason I have been able to shift my mindset and be more positive about the situations I face. Her books have helped me grow into the person I am today, and there are a lot of her tips that apply not just to my personal life but also to my business. She helped me identify my negative thoughts about money and ways that I can shift my perspective so that I attract more money into my business.
Contact Info:
- Website: julianacastr.c@gmail.com
- Instagram: drawingsjuli
- Linkedin: www.linkedin.com/in/julianacastr
- Other: https://www.etsy.com/shop/DrawingsJuli?ref=seller-platform-mcnav
Image Credits
Juliana Castro © 2023
