We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Naima Valencia Guillaume. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Naima Valencia below.
Naima Valencia, thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. Let’s jump back to the first dollar you earned as a creative? What can you share with us about how it happened?
The first dollar I earned from my creative work is a memory that still makes me smile. It was back in 2016. I was still in school at the time, and one of my classmates, who had always admired my drawings, approached me with a very special request. He wanted to give a personalized gift to a friend, something meaningful, something handmade and he immediately thought of me.
I remember feeling both excited and nervous. It was the first time someone considered paying me for something I created with my own hands. He rusted me completely to come up with an idea and bring it to life. I took the project to heart, I spent hours perfecting every details even ignoring the piles of homeworks and subject I had to study, I wanted to be just right and tis was not just for him but deep down, I knew it was more than just a drawing. It was the beginning of something.
When I handed him the finished piece, he was sooooo impressed and grateful. and when he handed me the payment, it wasn’t much, but it felt huge. It filled me with so much pride.
That moment was more than just a transaction; it was a spark. It made me realize that my art had value, that it could touch people, and that maybe, just maybe, I could turn this passion into something more.
That first dollar marked the start of a dream I’m still chasing today.
Naima Valencia, 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?
Well, Hi! My name is Naima Valencia Guillaume. I’m an artist, interpreter, and creative entrepreneur based in Port-au-Prince, Haiti. I’ve been drawing since 2014 with my first art classes. I’ve always been deeply connected to art and language, two powerful tools that allow us to express, connect, and transform our worlds.
My journey into the creative field started from a place of genuine love for drawing and storytelling. Throughout my journey of self discovery and development, I’ve experimented with pencils, watercolors, markers, gouache and digital tools to bring emotions and culture to life on paper. Over time, my love for art evolved into something much bigger, a mission to celebrate and empower Haitian voices and stories through visual and creative work.
Today, I work as a freelance illustrator, portrait artist and interpreter. I specialize in portraits and illustrations that often weave in natural elements like butterflies, plants, and mushrooms, details that reflect both vulnerability and growth and shows my love and appreciation for nature. I also offer custom portrait commissions.
On another level, I’m also building CoinCréatif, a platform designed to support Haitian artists, especially those living in provincial areas who face serious challenges accessing affordable, high-quality art supplies. One of the biggest problems many artists in Haiti encounter is the lack of materials. Either they are unavailable, extremely expensive, or simply too far to reach. CoinCréatif aims to change that by offering curated access to affordable, quality tools and resources. This isn’t just an online art store, it’s a solution to a very real and pressing problem. I want to make sure no talented artist ever feels limited because they can’t find a pencil, brush, or paint. I want them to feel empowered to create, no matter where they are.
In parallel, I also work as a professional interpreter (English <> Haitian Creole), where I help break language barriers in healthcare, social services, and customer support. Interpretation allows me to serve people in vulnerable moments, and I take that responsibility very seriously. I believe that language access is a form of justice and dignity.
What sets me apart is that everything I do, whether it’s art or interpretation, is rooted in intention, empathy, and cultural pride. I’m deeply connected to the people I serve and the values I carry. I’m not just offering a service or a product, I’m offering an experience, a bridge, a connection.
What I’m most proud of is being able to build something meaningful from scratch. Whether it’s a portrait that makes someone feel seen, a translated conversation that brings relief to a patient, or a platform like CoinCréatif that uplifts fellow creatives. I feel honored to play a role in making people’s lives easier, fuller, or more beautiful.
If there’s one thing I’d like people to know, it’s this: my work is personal. It’s fueled by love, purpose, and a deep belief in the power of art and language to heal, inspire, and unite.
We’d love to hear a story of resilience from your journey.
I am currently based in Port-au-Prince where things are pretty much upside down right now. From gang violence, blocked roads, insecurity rising, and uncertainty hanging in the air like smoke. I wake up some days, wondering if it is safe to even walk to the gate. The environment is heavy, tense, and filled with fear.
And yet, in the midst of all that darkness, I keep creating. Drawing, painting, sketching, these are my refuge, my resistance, my way of keeping the light on inside even when everything outside feels like it is falling apart. Art is the only space I have control over, the only thing that makes me feel safe, free, and alive.
People sometimes ask me how I keep going, and I always say: “Because if I stop creating, I lose my light.” In a world where everything feels out of my hands, art helped and is still helping me reclaim a sense of purpose. That’s what resilience has looked like in my journey, not just pushing forward, but choosing beauty even when surrounded by darkness and uncertainty.
Any insights you can share with us about how you built up your social media presence?
Building my audience on social media wasn’t something that happened overnight, it was a slow, sometimes frustrating, but incredibly meaningful journey. At first, I was just sharing my drawings online with no clear intention other than to express myself. I didn’t have the perfect camera, perfect lighting, or a social media strategy. What I had was passion and a deep desire to connect with people through my art.
What truly helped me grow was consistency, authenticity, and storytelling. I started showing not just the final artworks, but the process, the emotions behind them, and the little pieces of my life as an artist in Haiti. People weren’t just following an “artist,” they were following a human story.
I also engaged with my followers responded to comments, asked questions, shared tips, and showed genuine interest in their thoughts. I realized that building an audience isn’t about “gaining followers” it’s about building a community.
One post would reach a few people. One of them would share it. Then another. And slowly, a small, supportive community started to grow around my work.
My advice for those just starting out:
Start where you are with what you have. Don’t wait until it’s perfect.
Show up consistently. Even if only 3 people like your post those 3 people matter.
Tell your story. People want to feel something. They want to know you.
Engage with your audience. Social media is about connection not just numbers.
Be patient. Growth is a result of love and effort over time not luck.
Most of all, keep creating. Your work has a place in the world, and someone out there needs to see ift.
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