We were lucky to catch up with Johana Mendoza Rodriguez recently and have shared our conversation below.

Johana, thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today We’d love to hear about when you first realized that you wanted to pursue a creative path professionally.

I think the moment I knew I wanted to pursue a creative path professionally wasn’t just one instant — it was a series of small moments that kept leading me back to art. I’ve been drawing since I was a child; it was how I understood the world around me. My father is in the military, so we moved constantly, from city to city and sometimes to other countries. Drawing became my way of processing change, a way to hold on to the places we left behind.

When I started studying architecture in Ecuador, everything clicked. I realized that architecture could be both technical and poetic — that it could tell stories, just like art. During my studies, I began illustrating buildings and spaces in a more expressive way, adding emotion and narrative to them. What started as side sketches soon became my real passion.

Johana, love having you share your insights with us. Before we ask you more questions, maybe you can take a moment to introduce yourself to our readers who might have missed our earlier conversations?

I’m an architect and illustrator from Quito, Ecuador, currently based in the United States. My journey began with architecture, but over time, I discovered that what I truly loved was the way architecture could communicate stories, the way a space could evoke memory, identity, and emotion. That’s what led me to develop my practice in architectural illustration, where I merge technical precision with artistic expression.
What sets my work apart is that it’s not just about drawing buildings, it’s about humanizing them. I like to think of every building as a character with its own story, personality, and emotion. My illustrations often blend real architecture with imaginative elements, creating visuals that spark curiosity and nostalgia at the same time.
One of my most recognized series combines iconic Disney characters with famous architectural landmarks. At first glance, it feels playful, but conceptually, it’s about connecting cultural memory and fantasy with the built environment, creating a bridge between generations and between art and architecture. That series opened many doors for me, leading to collaborations with studios, cultural organizations, and editors from around the world.
Beyond my personal work, I’m currently an Architectural Designer at Olson Kundig, one of my dream firms. Working there has taught me the importance of design that’s both thoughtful and timeless, and it continuously inspires my personal creative projects.
What I’m most proud of is how my work has reached people from different disciplines: architects, designers, and even people who simply love visual storytelling. My goal is to continue creating illustrations that celebrate the emotional side of architecture and to show that art and design can coexist as one unified language.

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

For me, the most rewarding part of being an artist is seeing how something that starts as a private idea, a sketch, a small experiment, can reach someone else and make them feel something. Maybe it reminds them of a memory, sparks their imagination, or makes them see a building or space in a new way. That kind of connection is everything.

I also love that my work allows me to merge precision with playfulness. Taking something as structured as architecture and giving it emotion, narrative, or even a touch of whimsy is incredibly satisfying. And honestly, seeing how my illustrations grow with me, how each piece reflects a moment in my own journey, makes the creative path feel alive and meaningful.

Are there any resources you wish you knew about earlier in your creative journey?

Absolutely! Looking back, I wish I had known earlier how valuable communities of other creatives are. When I was starting out, I often felt like I was working in isolation, trying to figure out everything on my own techniques, software, networking, even how to share my work.

If I could go back, I would tell my younger self to seek out online communities, workshops, and mentorships much earlier. Even small interactions, sharing a sketch, asking for feedback, or collaborating on a project can open doors, accelerate growth, and give you confidence.

I also wish I had realized sooner how important it is to document your journey, not just the final product. Sometimes the process itself, your sketches, experiments, and mistakes can become a story that resonates with others and shows the depth of your practice.

Learning these things now, I try to encourage emerging creatives to reach out, share, and explore freely. It’s amazing how much support is out there once you start looking for it.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.behance.net/johamendoza
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/joha_mendoza_r/
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/johana-mendoza-rodriguez-4345041b0/
• Other: https://www.pinterest.com/joha_mendoza_r/