We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Carolina Lebar a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.

Carolina, looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. Can you talk to us about a project that’s meant a lot to you?

Twelve years ago, I decided to pursue my dream of becoming an artist. I had some ideas about what I wanted to accomplish—primarily working with galleries and possibly designing book covers. Looking back, I realize I was quite inexperienced, but everyone has to start somewhere. I had heard that it takes ten years to master a skill, so I planned to dedicate a decade to this journey and see where it would lead me.

In the first few years, I experimented with different mediums, such as digital art, oils, and acrylics, sharing my work on platforms like Flickr, DeviantArt, and my small website. During this time, Facebook, Instagram, and Etsy were emerging. I participated in a few small shows, but it wasn’t until 2011/2012 that I attended Megacon in Orlando, FL.

I gained valuable experience over the next few years, learning how to create prints, navigate social media, and participate in conventions. At Dragoncon, I obtained contact information for a gallery in Asheville, which motivated me to refine my painting and illustration skills, focusing on subjects I was passionate about. During a group show, a bestselling author from New York saw my work, purchased a painting, and developed an appreciation for my pencil illustrations.

This experience made me realize two important things: I needed to define my path as an artist, and I had to work on honing my technical skills. Thus, I dedicated myself to improving my craft over the next few years, concentrating solely on pencil drawings. I understood I might not make much money from shows, but I was committed to my artistic growth.

After completing a series of beautiful pencil illustrations, I had a successful show at Illuxcon in Reading, PA, just before the pandemic. I developed my style and brand, showcasing my refined technical skills.

However, I began to wonder where these pencil drawings would lead me. If I wanted to collaborate with galleries, gaming companies, or art directors in the industry, I needed to expand my skill set. I no longer felt like a novice, but I still faced challenges. When I attempted to do a solo show at a gallery, it didn’t resonate much beyond my close friends and family. I found myself at a crossroads, feeling burnt out after ten years of effort without achieving fame.

To be honest, the 8th to 10th years were particularly difficult for me, and I struggled with depression during that time. It was hard.

After reaching the ten-year mark and experiencing some new successes, I still perceived myself as an unknown artist. However, I realized that my passion for art was paramount—regardless of whether it was for a gallery, book cover, game art, or something else. I understood I was burnt out, so I reassessed what was causing me stress. I decided to eliminate the pressures of focusing on composition, color theory, and specific themes. Instead, I returned to the basics of what made me happy to create, which, for me, was drawing animals. I absolutely love drawing animals.

Using the technical skills I had developed, I began working on a piece featuring a black cat whose shape captivated me. I created this piece live while my solo show was ongoing in the gallery. At one point, I felt it needed something extra, so I added a crown, as I believe all cats think they are royalty and view us as their servants.

Unknowingly, I struck gold. My execution was spot on, and it caught people’s attention. The artwork sold even before it was completed, based solely on a photo I shared on Instagram. I enjoyed creating it so much that I went on to produce more animal drawings with crowns. I showcased these pieces at Illuxcon, where they attracted the right audience, who admired my pencil work.

Over the next year, I created more of these pieces, and they sold quickly on everydayoriginal.com and at conventions. I became incredibly grateful that the art I truly loved—drawing animals—was stress-free and something I could create relatively quickly since they were 8″ x 8″ pieces. This experience felt like the culmination of all my hard work and struggle over the years. I branded this collection as my “Animal Kingdom” series, as I believe all animals are majestic, and I have finally discovered my artistic identity and calling.

Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.

As an artist, I am dedicated to creating strikingly detailed pencil drawings enhanced with soft acrylic glazes. My work celebrates the beauty of femininity alongside the magnificence of wildlife, capturing the essence of fur, fins, and feathers.

In 2023, I proudly launched my ongoing series, “Animal Kingdom.” This series not only fuels my passion for fantasy realms but also serves as a powerful platform for expressing my admiration and respect for the majestic nature of animals and the raw realities of survival in the wilderness. My intricately detailed pieces have garnered a dedicated following, being showcased in art galleries along the East Coast and highlighted at renowned events such as Dragoncon and IlluxCon.

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

The lesson I had to unlearn, which I believe many aspiring artists also need to recognize, is that you must let go of the idea that your work needs to be “perfect.” The fear of not achieving perfection can hold you back significantly. Many aspiring artists never share their creations with the world because this fear stifles them. Some become stuck for days, weeks, months, or even years due to the anxiety of their work not being perfect.

Instead, it’s important to view each piece as practice for the next one, because that’s truly what each piece represents. Aim for your next work to be an improvement over the last. You will get there, I promise!

Can you share a story from your journey that illustrates your resilience?

Even though I committed a decade of my life to becoming an artist, I wasn’t fully prepared for the challenges along the way, LOL. After 7 or 8 years of hard work, it was disheartening to feel like I wasn’t making any real progress. Attending conventions, I would earn modestly at my table, yet often felt invisible—that’s tough. When an artist shares their work, they’re revealing a part of themselves, so it hits hard when we perceive our efforts as being overlooked.

Years 7 to 10.5 were definitely challenging, but I refused to give up. Years 11 and 12, however, have been truly transformative. I’ve put in the work, stayed committed to my dream, and emerged stronger. The moment I shifted my focus from trying to create what I thought would sell to making art that genuinely fulfills me was a game-changer. Now, I can confidently walk into a room and proudly declare, “I’m an artist.”

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.carolinalebar.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/artist.carolinalebar
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/lebar.art
• Other: bluesky: @carolinalebar.bsky.social