We recently connected with Alina and have shared our conversation below.

Alright, Alina thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. One of the toughest things about progressing in your creative career is that there are almost always unexpected problems that come up – problems that you often can’t read about in advance, can’t prepare for, etc. Have you had such and experience and if so, can you tell us the story of one of those unexpected problems you’ve encountered?

Lesson 1: Work on Your Confidence and Acceptance

I think one problem is that I wish I had started sooner. For almost five years, I would not post my work online because I was afraid of what people would think. I was so insecure about my art that sometimes I would even throw my paintings in the trash because I didn’t want anyone to see them. Looking back, I realize that fear held me back more than anything else. Once I started sharing my work, I learned that not everyone has to like it. Building confidence and accepting yourself as an artist is a long process, but it’s one of the most important lessons I’ve learned.

Lesson 2: Opportunities Are Great, but They Need to Be Paid

If it’s your first mural or a project you’re really excited about, sometimes it makes sense to do it for the experience. But if you’ve already done similar projects and the opportunity comes again, it might be time to start charging for your work. Just because you don’t have a lot of experience doesn’t mean you shouldn’t get paid. Your time, creativity, and effort have value. Learning to ask for compensation was difficult at first, but it taught me to respect my work and know my worth.

Lesson 3: Set Boundaries When Taking Commissions

Once I started doing commissions, one of the biggest lessons I learned was the importance of setting clear boundaries. At first, I didn’t always account for the cost of supplies, extra revisions, or the amount of time a project would take. I learned that being clear about pricing, timelines, and expectations from the beginning helps avoid misunderstandings. Supplies cost money, and your time is valuable. Setting professional boundaries creates a better experience for both you and your clients.

Great, appreciate you sharing that with us. Before we ask you to share more of your insights, can you take a moment to introduce yourself and how you got to where you are today to our readers.

Alina Butina is a Los Angeles-based artist originally from Kazakhstan who began painting during the COVID-19 pandemic. She works across multiple mediums, including acrylic, oil, digital art, clothing design, and murals. Her work has been exhibited at the Blue Muse Gallery and the Beverly Hills Art Show. Through her art, Alina explores creativity, self-expression, and storytelling.

Is there a particular goal or mission driving your creative journey?

My goal is to continue growing and improving as an artist. I love seeing my clients enjoy my artwork and knowing that it brings them joy. Creating pieces that connect with people and become a meaningful part of their lives is one of the most rewarding parts of being an artist, and it motivates me to keep learning, creating, and pushing my work further.

Looking back, are there any resources you wish you knew about earlier in your creative journey?

There are so many online courses and techniques being shared by talented artists on Patreon that I’m studying right now. They’re very affordable and have helped me improve my skills and learn new approaches to art. I only wish I had known about these resources earlier because I probably would have started my artistic journey much sooner.

Contact Info:

• Instagram: Alinasbutina