We recently connected with Juanita Londoño Gaviria and have shared our conversation below.

Juanita, looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. Learning the craft is often a unique journey from every creative – we’d love to hear about your journey and if knowing what you know now, you would have done anything differently to speed up the learning process.

I took a long route to get here. I think most of it is due to the fact that in Colombia (where I was born and still live), there wasn’t an option to study illustration. I always loved drawing, but there wasn’t a “career” for it. This meant that I had to choose something different that still allowed me to draw but wasn’t exactly illustration.

I studied Fashion Design, and throughout my career, I chose as many classes as I was allowed to learn how to draw. Eventually, I also decided to do an exchange program in Animation Concept Art, which gave me credits to graduate while studying abroad. This course wasn’t illustration-focused either, but it was thanks to this diploma that I learned how to properly illustrate digitally. It became the foundation for everything I know. From that point forward, I just started practicing and honing my style. I have also taken other short courses that have helped me get to where I am today in terms of my craft.

Juanita, before we move on to more of these sorts of questions, can you take some time to bring our readers up to speed on you and what you do?

I’m a creative and illustrator based in Medellín, Colombia, with a deep passion for storytelling through illustration. For the past six years, I’ve been bringing characters and worlds to life as a Kidlit Illustrator.

Right after graduation, I jumped into the industry by sharing my work on Instagram, and that’s how my first agency discovered me. Collaborating with them was an incredible learning experience, shaping me into the illustrator I am today. About a year ago, I took the leap and signed with my current agent, Adria Goetz. Together, we’ve been working on various illustration projects and submitting my work as an author-illustrator.

Currently, I work full-time at a creative agency, where I focus on illustration and conceptual design for animations and montages. In my free time, you’ll find me diving into my client work or creating my own picture book projects—crafting stories that I hope will spark joy and imagination.

One thing I’d love people to know about me is that I’m always seeking growth, both personally and professionally. I take my career seriously and am eager to evolve—whether that means expanding into different media, exploring new formats like board books or middle-grade fiction, or refining my craft through writing. I’m also constantly pushing myself to connect with new clients, collaborate, and create meaningful, beautiful work that resonates.

Let’s talk about resilience next – do you have a story you can share with us?

My journey has been one of constant adaptation, always making space for what brings me joy. I started out studying Chemical Engineering, and while I was good at it, I quickly realized it didn’t fulfill me. I needed something more creative, so I switched to Fashion Design. It felt closer, but it still wasn’t quite right. Then I discovered Animation Concept Art, and for the first time, I felt like I was in the right place. Deep down, I always knew I loved drawing, but growing up, I didn’t see it as a viable path—until I made it happen for myself.

Things got tough after I left my first agency. Finding clients on my own was more challenging than I expected, and just as I was navigating that, there was a major shift in the industry. Like many illustrators, I had to find extra ways to make money. That’s why I took on a full-time job, balancing financial stability with my passion for storytelling and illustration. Even now, I continue to seek that joy, writing my own stories and pushing myself into new creative spaces.

I’ve had to pivot many times, but I never stop searching for fulfillment. My resilience comes from refusing to let go of what makes me happy, no matter how many adjustments I need to make. Whether it’s exploring new formats, refining my craft, or meeting new clients, I’m always evolving and finding ways to create meaningful, beautiful work.

For you, what’s the most rewarding aspect of being a creative?

The most rewarding part of being an artist is the ability to express myself. Art feels like a direct connection to my soul and my inner child. Through colors, textures, and storytelling, I bring emotions and ideas to life, transforming them into something tangible—something that speaks beyond words.

At the same time, art is also about connection. While it starts as a deeply personal experience, it becomes even more meaningful when it resonates with others. There’s something magical about creating a piece that sparks joy, emotion, or inspiration in someone else, creating a bridge between my inner world and theirs.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://juanitalondono.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/juanitalondo8o/
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lgjuanita/
• Other: https://bsky.app/profile/juanitalondo8o.bsky.social

Image Credits

My photo was taken by Santiago Alzate.