We recently connected with Zalika Johnson and have shared our conversation below.

Zalika , thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today Do you wish you had waited to pursue your creative career or do you wish you had started sooner?

There’s so much beauty in the present. There were lessons and experiences that I had to grow through to confidently share my artistic skills with the understanding that my illustrations and personality bring joy to many hearts. Because of this I’m able to look back with a sense of knowing that time is working with me and not against me. I hardly ever share this story but hopefully it can help someone on their creative journey. I’ve been gifted with the ability to draw since I was a child. Like many, as we get older we become discouraged. My discouragement came during high school auditions for the artist program at Bayside High School in N.Y. Drowned by realistic drawings, portraits and sculptures by the other students, I felt my hours of discipline and self-taught cartoon sketches weren’t good enough to compete against the other skilful artists. I was Intimidated and embarrassed, I hid in the bathroom until the auditions were over. My father picked me up and when asked “how’d it go?”, with a smile and a fairytale story, I expressed how awesome the audition was. Looking back, It was the first time I realized I stood in my own way. For many years after, I couldn’t find the courage to pick up my pencil and sketch pad. I attended a high school not for art and later started my career in the luxury fashion industry. As I expanded my career I achieved my degree in Journalism and began writing for the lifestyle and fashion industry. This experience has made me well knowledgeable in the importance of meeting deadlines, staying ahead of trends, teamwork and the vast ways of expressing myself.

Currently, I’m a freelance digital artist. I Illustrator stories for self-published authors and indie publishers. From this, my interpersonal, vulnerability, mentoring and teamwork skills have grown tremendously. Although I specialize in Kidlit Illustrations my services are not limited to just that. I also do graphic design work, helping clients with brand designing, websites and product design. I recently went back to studying animation so I’m excited about that. Looking back, one valuable lesson I learned was to “stop standing in my own way.” So to answer your last two questions,no I don’t wish I started later or sooner. There’s so much power in the now and knowing where I came from gives me the drive and faith I need to continuously put my best foot forward. I don’t know what starting later or sooner professionally would have looked like for me, but what I can say is I’ve always been on this journey towards becoming the creative I am today. I’m just a little wiser, intentional and impactful with my decision making and style. I’m truly living in a full- circle moment.

Zalika , 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?

Hello Zalika J. here! I’m a digital artist. I’ve been gifted with the ability to draw since I was a child. Now I use those skills digitally to bring client’s visions to fruition. My services range from logo, brand, product, and website designing all the way to childrens illustrations and book designing.

A little about my work’s purpose.

As a freelance Children’s book Illustrator for self-published authors and indie publishers. I hope to be able to provide visual stories for little readers to live freely in their imagination. The more I traveled and experienced people “Sent To Earth” has become my moral perspective, understanding we are all divine individuals that come across emotions, experiences, and obstacles that mold who we become. In the midst of becoming, we are aware that the magic in our imagination somehow gets chipped away. I inspire little readers to nurture that magic by being the bridge to overcome or help navigate worldly challenges through my illustrations. I want all children to identify and see themselves in others through my bold imagery. As well as feel seen and be able to say to others “I see you too.”

As a graphic designer it’s a joy to see client’s faces once their project is finished. Some things are just priceless. The collaborative nature of the business always keeps me open-minded with a willingness to learn, understand and execute. Living fully in my creativity is rewarding in so many ways. I help give my clients the extra boost of confidence that they didn’t know they needed, by bringing their vision to life. I’ve gotten the pleasure of working with people from all over the world. As my creative skills continue to grow, I’m excited for what’s yet to come.

I started my career in the luxury fashion industry building my client book from clients like Kris Jenner, Teyana Taylor, and others. As I expanded my career I achieved my degree in Journalism and began writing for the lifestyle and fashion industry. This experience has made me well knowledgeable in the importance of meeting deadlines, staying ahead of trends, teamwork, storytelling and the vast ways of expressing myself. Over the years it just wasn’t fulfilling, I had a yearning for more and I moved out of the country. My first stop was London. A few years later I moved to Madrid, Spain. I was as if I was exposed to a whole new world, adapting to a different language and way of life. But, in such a slow-paced environment, editing for the company I was working with just wasn’t enough for me. I’m a New York girl with a lot of energy and hustle lol. So, I picked up part-time work as an English teacher for primary-grade students. At that moment my mission became intentional. I was pushed into a new sense of vulnerability. Which opened a new door for me. I couldn’t see it, blinded by my own intentions, but I felt it. Until what I was feeling was confirmed by a dream. I know what you’re thinking, how cliche… But, the truth in my journey couldn’t be imagined by the youngest daughter of four, who didn’t know how to cook or clean, and never even traveled to school alone. Yet, I felt my steps were possible, against the mental storms I had to embrace. I shifted my focus from the lifestyle industry to children’s literature. At that moment, my mission became intentional. My first children’s manuscript swam to me, freely. But, the bigger picture was that it led me to illustrate my story. Picking up a pencil and sketch pad, I was led back to my childhood love for Drawing.

I had the confirmation for my career shift in 2019 right before the pandemic. What I can truly say is that the pandemic gave me the freedom to hone my artistic skills. I began learning how to use procreate and started to practice graphic design as I already had the basic skills from university. From then my artistic skills and business grew from word of mouth and Instagram. I can truly say what’s meant for you, can not and will not miss you. Even if it takes you years to get back to your purpose.

My artistic vision is constantly evolving, I’m constantly evolving. I’m an all-around creative person that loves to collaborate and partner with other creative minds. Whether you’re a writer and have a story inside of you that you would like illustrated, or you’re a business owner that has a vision for how you would like your business to be presented to the world, allow me the pleasure to bring your vision to fruition.

Is there mission driving your creative journey?

I think my mission is to help people feel seen. Currently, through my digital art, I do just that. I help change the everyday narrative by bringing my client’s vision forward in the light they want to be portrayed as or seen for. I also get the opportunity to illustrate characters I didn’t see in books and cartoons growing up. I want everyone to be seen and heard no matter their race, religion, age, occupation or gender.

Have any books or other resources had a big impact on you?

Such a great question. Surely on my thinking and philosophy, “The Alchemist by Paulo Coelho.” I’ve read the book about three times, on three different journeys in my life. The first time I read it was during my first year of college, then my journey in London and during my career change when I was living in Madrid. Each time I read it it brought new meaning and a sense of knowing to my life. there are so many great quotes and lessons in the book but four quotes that has always stuck with me are

“When you want something, all the universe conspires in helping you achieve it”

“Everyone, when they are young, knows what their Personal Legend is. At that point in their lives, everything is clear and everything is possible. They are not afraid to dream, and to yearn for everything they would like to see happen to them in their lives.”

“Dreams are the language of God. When he speaks in our language, I can interpret what he has said. But if he speaks in the language of the soul, it is only you who can understand.”

“There is only one thing that makes a dream impossible to achieve: the fear of failure “

Paulo is an amazing writer. I think I read all of his books. But, I surely hope these quotes can really encourage someone on their journey, no matter what age you are, or where you are in life, never stop listening to that inner voice.

I just started reading The Artist Way by Julia Cameron, she surely drops some gems and helps you find your creative voice. 100% recommend. And for digital artists who are starting out and need help pricing your services, listings and work I recommend The Graphic Artists Guild Handbook. 

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.bellacaprireads.com
• Instagram: Bella_caprireads