We recently connected with Amliv Sotomayor and have shared our conversation below.

Amliv, appreciate you joining us today. Day to day the world can seem like a tough place, but there’s also so much kindness in the world and we think talking about that kindness helps spread it and make the world a nicer, kinder place. Can you share a story of a time when someone did something really kind for you?

Someone I once trusted tremendously gave me the gift of rejection many years back because they didn’t want to support me.

Almost 9 years ago, I was in a completely different place in my life. I was younger, fewer grey hairs and very green to the world, which is weird because I never liked the color green back then. I met someone that I ended up being romantically involved with, and I was under the impression that they wanted the best for me. Boy, was I wrong. I remember asking this person for help in manufacturing my first enamel pin at the time. This person had created a very Miami branded pin to sell to shoe shops and it did really well. Back then, sharing manufacturing information was really taboo and people kept that information under lock and key. The people I’d see making enamel pins were making these pins and moving them so fast; I wanted to understand that world but it never materialized. The conversation ended with “ yeah. I don’t really share my manufacturer info“ and so I never got it. I never understood people that gatekeep information, even when you’re dating, but that’s another conversation; later on, I learned he just didn’t like me as a person.

Another two years went by, and I was now a single mom with a whole new set of responsibilities, thought processes, trauma to process, mistakes to forgive myself for and speak up on, lessons to learn, household to manage and maneuver. One day, out of the blue, a friend back then asked me if I wanted to turn my artwork into enamel pins. He offered to play middle man with communication for manufacturing. It was a dream come true for me that someone actually believed in my work so much to help me in that regard and I will never forget that person. I created my very first hard enamel pin called “Pet” based on one of my favorite models and close friend at the time, Mika. Creating this first pin was instrumental to my growth and development as not just an artist but it was the beginning spark to get curious about furthering my own self development back in the day. The enamel pin was a true test to seeing my artwork translated into a different plane of existence and believing the possibilities of different avenues of making money to feed my family WITH my art.

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.

As the stubborn, headstrong youngest immigrant kid, choosing my own authentic path has always been important to me. It also happens to be completely against what Cuban women typically do in our culture. I always knew creativity wasn’t just something I loved, it was the thing I wanted to build a life around, no exceptions. Love interests came and went but the art was always there to carry me forward. This is part of why I have dedicated my life to live with the muse (metaphorically speaking) and create.

For readers who may not have met me or my work before: Hola, my name is Amliv Sotomayor and I am a Cuban born, American raised illustrator who’s been creating art for 20+ years. I’ve been drawing since I was about four years old and my favorite thing to draw when I was small were mermaids. Even back then , I knew this is was what I wanted to do with my life. My personal philosophy has always been: “If I am going to exist in this world without being asked to, then I’m going to spend my time doing what makes me genuinely happy no matter what life throws at me”. And honestly, that mindset has carried me through everything even when it seemed like I had no choice. This is how I became an illustrator, designer, enamel pin maker, jewelry artist, and storyteller. My work explores themes of longing, forgotten deities, mythology, generational rage and disappointment, personal journeys, forgotten historical icons, folklore, comic books and above all, women. Shining the light on women and amplifying our voices is the biggest most important thing as someone that grew up in a household where our voices were never considered despite how central their roles were to daily life. Which is weird, right? I create because I didn’t want to be pigeonholed into doing one thing for the rest of my life.

-How I got here

For 13 years, I worked in the same company, in different jobs within that same company, and I learned a lot of how certain businesses ran, how women were treated in the workplace and how much freedom money can bring someone when they work for themselves. When I had my little one, I was let go, suddenly deemed less useful due to my postpartum depression. That moment , though dark and painful, pushed me into doing what I should’ve done long ago: betting on myself. I started not just working for myself but believing in myself.

I NEVER looked back. I took the enamel pin world much more seriously afterwards partly out of spite (in true immigrant child fashion). Someone once rejected my request to turn my art into pins and at the same time, I noticed the market was full of fan art and derivative designs that lacked authentic artwork and artist collaborations. Perhaps I was too green here too to have seen much at the time. So, the universe basically said, “what’s the worst that can happen?” and I dove in. Fast forward and my pins are now collected worldwide, with collectors in every continent, which few artists can truly claim about their collectors. It’s funny, because people know me for my pins but even I forget sometimes that I create so much more.

-What I create & What problems I solve

I create small batch, collector grade enamel pins with original artwork drawn by me for collectors that appreciate small authentic hand drawn artwork without the use of AI. Also, I workwith collaborators that are looking to make their own pins for their own businesses, book launches, and brand etc.
Illustrations ( original artwork to collect, book covers, comic book illustrations, logos)
Prints, stickers and some paper goods.
Handmade jewelry ( coming in 2026 )
Collaborative artwork with fellow artists
Character design & storytelling pieces

What sets me apart is that everything I make is deeply personal, transformative, emotionally grounded and rooted in what it means to be genuinely seen and heard. Rooted in keeping my inner children alive in a world that chooses to constantly silents that creative voice with bills, lack of support, lack of self love, doubts etc, My work resonates with people who have been told they feel too much, are spoken over, who are tired of being overlooked, the over thinkers, the family member showing up for everyone except themselves for years, the ones that carry the burden of those that took something from them; those who carry both softness and fire and need an extra push or reminder to start making choices that make them happy.

I address issues of representation in the art world by being a woman who creates from a place of integrity, respect, and lived experience. In an industry that has historically prioritized male perspectives and hides a lot of herstory; and where women’s images and contributions are often used without proper credit or compensation. I make it a priority to honor my subjects, collaborators, and inspirations. My work centers women in a way that is intentional, ethical, and rooted in genuine storytelling.

-My mission has become:

To empower individuals through distinctive artwork that embody vulnerability in a world that continues to shun it, steam roll over it, prompt it for a quick fix and reminding them that, their vulnerability is their greatest strength.

I celebrate self expression by offering unique, accessible pieces that help people carry a little inspiration with them wherever they go. My discipline comes from not having anything handed to me, from being the person chosen last or not at all and not having cheerleaders growing up for this path except myself. And thats okay because I kept moving.

-In my shop you’ll find:
Small batch & numbered enamel pins
Original art & prints
Stickers and accessories
Collaborative pieces
And new creative ventures as I grow because life is short and you should always take a risk here and there.

-What I am most proud of ?
Honestly? That I’m still here. That I am doing this on my own terms. That I have, more importantly, built a safe space on the internet where my art and people who connect with it can exist freely without unnecessary judgement. I am really proud of that. I am proud that my work has traveled farther than I ever imagined, and that it continues to make space for big unworked feelings, cultural identity, womanhood, and our stories.

-What I want potential clients & supporters to know:
I am not just a “pin artist” or an illustrator. I’m a multi disciplinary creative with a deep love for stories, nature, symbolism, and people. My brand is a blend of resilience, rebellion, softness, and I hope that anyone who finds my work feels a sense of connection and safety to see or be themselves through it.

When I’m not creating, I am with my family and close friends, tending to my plants, playing video games, reading books, helping my community, or studying medicine and plants because I’m always learning, always trying to learn new ways on how to give back.

Any advice for growing your clientele? What’s been most effective for you?

Thanking people for their support, time and being transparent. It’s important, for me, to set the intention and thank collectors, fans etc by giving them your genuine attention. I do this through a thank you notes, card or message, remembering those that constantly pop up for me and sending them freebies for supporting me. I will always make it a point to remind myself that a complete stranger could’ve gone anywhere else and not supported my growth but they chose to do so. And for that, I am always grateful and I express THAT gratitude with every single one of my collectors and businesses I work with. As well as, being my authentic self through my artwork and social media.

Do you sell on your site, or do you use a platform like Amazon, Etsy, Cratejoy, etc?

Yes, I have two websites. One solely for my artwork www.amliv.com and one for my small batch collectable enamel pins and collaborations with other living artists working, www.witchesandpins.com.

I have been part of www.etsy.com/shop/amlivsotomayor for 7 years now. At the beginning, the rates weren’t as high as they are now. I always advice artists, makers, artisans, etc that despite their rate being so high, you get to meet a lot of new fans and collectors that are finding you through their website due to their well recognized name but I still stress the importance of owning your own platform. Having your own website that doesn’t charge you an arm and a leg per transaction is ideal. You can invest once and make your own while working working with a dev/designer or you can pay monthly for years for one totalling what you would’ve spent with someone initially and you keep the code. The choice is always yours due to different personal factors or you can work up to it.

Despite your choice, always try to remember that some monthly pay to play or set it and forget it websites do not store your data when you cancel your monthly contract with them. That can be tedious and time consuming when you have a lot of data/products. I learned that the hard way, once upon a time.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.amliv.com
• Instagram: instagram.com/amlivsotomayor
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/amlivsotomayorart/?notif_id=1763125770465410&notif_t=page_user_activity&ref=notif
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/amliv-sotomayor-1b51075b/
• Other: www.witchesandpins.com, https://www.pinterest.com/launica_amlivsotomayor/

Image Credits
They’re all mine.