We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Nic Mac a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.
Nic , 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.
“Once you know what your enemy is, you can fight it”
Imposter syndrome is an experience that most people relate to and unfortunately have experienced and I wish it was something I could change.
It can hit you at any moment, whether you are employed for a new job position and feel out of your depth or are deep within a creative venture and suddenly experiencing doubts, imposter syndrome is there to greet you, but once you know what your enemy is, you can fight it.
Rather than ‘something to overcome’, it’s more a BATTLE to win. I realised that Imposter Syndrome stems from Comparison.
So, that is the enemy, the REAL beast to fight, rather than the syndrome itself.
Artists are famously plagued by self criticism and perfection and so the infamous ‘imposter syndrome’ is an inevitable encounter.
I wouldn’t say I have overcome it, just yet I am most certainly still in the fight but I have my sword drawn and I know what it’s pointing at. Which is what can gain the upper hand at remaining in control and day by day dispelling common thoughts of “I’m not good enough” ” there are people who are much more qualified/skilled than me” etc and to instead focus attention on my own personal journey.
Progress and improvement isn’t linear and we will never get to perfection, we can only hustle for it little by little every day and only competing with ourselves from yesterday.
Overcoming imposter syndrome will mean that the only face we will see in the ring, is ours.
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 a freelance Illustrator and Muralist based between London and Madrid, and am always aiming to “make work that means something” Often playing with the duality between colourful fun looking Illustrations that communicate deeper and sometimes darker meanings.
I am writing and illustrating my own comic/graphic novel and in my spare time I also make YouTube videos that show my creative process with the aim to inspire other new or young artists to do the same.
Mental Health Awareness, is really important to me and so I like to create work that helps sparks the conversation. I like to make people think, and hope that some of my illustrations and artwork might help to evoke change.
If you had to pick three qualities that are most important to develop, which three would you say matter most?
I always say “The most important thing to remember to say to yourself when starting a new venture, is simple, it’s something we all know and have heard multiple times. the classic “practice makes perfect” line. Burt its true, One must believe in that phrase 100%, to know it and to trust it, To be reassured that everything comes with time, that the start is the hardest part, but after you take that first step, the rest comes a lot easier” – Nic Mac
So with that I would say the three most important qualities are Patience, Belief and Resilience.
Okay, so before we go we always love to ask if you are looking for folks to partner or collaborate with?
I am! I want to work with like minded artists, who want to instill change, who want to engage communities and help get people to reconnect with art and expression! I really believe that creativity is not just for “creatives”, everybody is capable of harnessing it, it is everywhere, it’s all around us.
I truly believe that the more people who can find a way to be creative within their day to day, the better, and more emotionally connected, I think society will be.
Contact me via email if you have an idea or want to collaborate :
hello@nicmacillustration.com
Contact Info:
- Website: www.nicmacillustration.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nicmacillustration
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/nicmacillustrations
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nic-mac-1146272a2/
- Twitter: https://twitter.com/nicmactweets?lang=en
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/c/NicMac
Image Credits
Claudiu Voicu
