We were lucky to catch up with Waldys Foubelo recently and have shared our conversation below.
Waldys, 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.
I haven’t!
I think that is a part of the artistic process and journey. Sometimes I feel like what I created is incredible and beautiful, and I’m really happy with how it turned out. But there are always times when I’m not impressed, or excited about it. It did not end up where or how I expected. You look around and there is so much talent in the world, and I always find someone whom I believe is “better”. I think you learn to live with those insecurities, even if deep down you know they are ridiculous, they will always be there (at least for me). But I am confident in myself, enough to know that I can “come out” of those feelings. Everyone is different and possesses different talents. I may not be as good/talented as a lot of others, but no one can do what I can do… so you know… it’s a balance.
Thanks for sharing that. So, before we get any further into our conversation, can you tell our readers a bit about yourself and what you’re working on?
I am currently a full-time graphic and web designer for Fortune Beast, a great company which I have been working for since July of 2023 (6 months). Before that I have been a freelancer (artist) for about 20 years and re-branded myself around 2015. This is when I became Electropop by Waldys Foubelo. It was a really exciting and invigorating process and experience… to be reborn in so many ways (personally, artistically, emotionally and psychologically even). I had the same feeling while re-inventing myself that I get while creating artwork. I guess you could compare it to the feeling someone gets when one of their posts gets a million likes and comments (I’m assuming lol). Your body feels like it’s floating and the emotional exhilaration and euphoria is uncontrolable and awakening. That is one of the things I like most about creating, it makes me feel like nothing else. Especially when things are turning out as I expected and I’m happy with the final product. It’s the best drug because you feel like you have done something incredible and you are genuinely happy and content with yourself in that moment. It’s very exciting!
Looking back, what do you think were the three qualities, skills, or areas of knowledge that were most impactful in your journey? What advice do you have for folks who are early in their journey in terms of how they can best develop or improve on these?
Well, I personally get easily bored and I have learned that I need to change mediums or strategy after a while. I first started with pencil and charcoal, doing portraits and some landscapes. But eventually I got into painting with acrylics and later on I decided to get into graphic design. From there I have tried several things like animation 3D modeling, motion graphics, and most recently photography. I try and learn different things and that keeps me engaged and excited. If I only did paintings, or photography, or graphic design it would deplete me eventually. I like changing it up and doing different things. Another thing that inspires me and helps me is meeting other artists and experiencing their work. This has helped me a lot in my journey. Yes, you meet a lot of incredible talent and sometimes they are so good that you think you can’t stand next to them, your work is crap compared to what they have accomplished (this is the insecurity that creeps up in every artist sometimes). But for me the inspiration and friendships are greater and always win over any ridiculous thought. You have to be confident in yourself, your work, and your abilities, then you’ll be able to recognize, enjoy, and admire some one else’s.
What is the number one obstacle or challenge you are currently facing and what are you doing to try to resolve or overcome this challenge?
As artists, there are always a number of challenges that we face at any given moment. Right now my biggest challenge is time management. In today’s world, it’s hard balancing everyday life. Family, work, household, friendships, relationships. There are many factors we have to take care of, which makes it difficult to have time for things you want to do. A lot of the time I can’t just sit down and have fun with a project, just to start creating and enjoying what you’re doing and just be creative, because there are other “life” things that need to be taken care of. I find it hard to allocate some time for myself and my creative process, it’s a big challenge. And sometimes I actually have time to work on a project, but I just don’t feel like it at that moment and end up doing something else with family or work. I have to be in the right mood and mindset because I don’t want to create just to create, I’ve always wanted to keep that part fun and spontaneous, I don’t want it to become work or a shore.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.behance.net/waldysfoubelo
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/electropopbywaldysfoubelo/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/electropopbywaldysfoubelo
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/waldysfoubelo/
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCOoImiVkQ0FH84jIki1nPXw
