Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Ira Colendrino. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.

Ira, thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today How did you learn to do what you do? Knowing what you know now, what could you have done to speed up your learning process? What skills do you think were most essential? What obstacles stood in the way of learning more?

My journey with illustration began in high school. At the time, I was so obsessed with One Direction, and illustrative typography was becoming popular on Instagram. There was a niche community of artists creating hand-drawn lyric art, and I was in awe. I knew right away that I wanted to be part of it. So, I started drawing lyrics and posted on Instagram (I was working overtime), and by the time I got to college, I took an illustration class with Joseph Veazey. That class completely changed my life (very dramatic I know). He allowed a space for me to create. Over time, my art style formed into silly and lighthearted illustrations.

Looking back, one thing that would have helped me progress faster was simply starting. I spent so much time afraid to use my iPad or learn from Youtube. It seems silly now—I bought a really nice sketchbook, yet I haven’t even opened it. I think many artists can relate to this feeling. Illustration, design, and art are deeply personal, often reflecting who we are, and that vulnerability can be intimidating. But the most important thing is to allow yourself to enjoy the process. Don’t overthink it—when you let go of the pressure, you’ll find joy again in creating. Easier said than done! I still struggle to this day.

As artists and designers, creativity comes naturally, but one of the most valuable skills we can learn is believing in ourselves. I relied heavily on validation and there were many times when I wanted to give up. But at the end of the day, the most important thing is to trust in yourself, allow yourself to make mistakes, and be the person you want to be.

Ira, 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 graphic designer and illustrator! Most people might know me from my content on Instagram/Tiktok under ira.dino. I used to work as a designer at a branding agency for two years but unfortunately was laid off last year. With that time, I knew it was the perfect opportunity to connect with more people online and share my work. It’s been a blast (and of course some tears here and there) and I’ve worked with three brands so far! (pretty cool!) I’ve recently opened up my shop that has art prints and stickers! Later, I’ll release other cool things so stay tuned.

What sets me apart is my whimsical style. I always like to keep my artwork silly and unserious. I think we need a little bit of that joy everyday. My muse is a little character named dumps who’s just a goofy guy doing everyday things. I’m most proud of how much I’ve grown as an artist and creator. There were times when self-doubt held me back, but pushing through those moments has helped me develop a strong sense of self and a better artist!

What’s a lesson you had to unlearn and what’s the backstory?

I had to unlearn the idea that launching my shop was the ultimate goal. For years, I dreamed of this moment—poured my heart into it—only to feel strangely empty when it finally happened. It hit me harder than I expected. This was supposed to be everything I had worked for, so why did I feel so lost?

I realized that opening my shop wasn’t the end goal—it was just the beginning. It wouldn’t magically solve everything, but rather, it was a stepping stone to new opportunities, challenges, and growth. And that was something I hadn’t fully understood until now.

We’d love to hear the story of how you built up your social media audience?

At first, I posted slowly because the thought of being perceived made me uncomfortable. But as I got used to, I started showing my face more and adding voiceovers. I noticed that people really enjoy “draw with me” videos and behind-the-scenes content about running my small business and suddenly my art page grew. Results don’t come fast. It takes time for your account to grow. I always tell myself to be patient—the fruits will grow.

My biggest advice is to “do it scared”. That quote has helped me so much. And try not to be too hard on yourself when it comes to building an audience. The algorithm can be brutal. What truly matters is what you want to share and how you want to feel while creating.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.iradino.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ira.dino/
• Other: Tiktok: https://www.tiktok.com/@ira.dino

Image Credits

AimeeSherMakes