Why I Still Feel Imposter Syndrome as a Professional Artist

Taking the Leap: My Journey into being a self-employed artist

Not too long ago, I made a decision that excited me and terrified me: I became a freelance artist. It wasn’t a decision I made lightly, and certainly not one without sleepless nights, lots of overthinking, and plenty of “What ifs.” But here I am—doing it.

It still feels surreal to say those words out loud, and I certainly didn’t expect to be saying them so soon after leaving the corporate world. Me! A freelance artist. I get up in the morning, make a brew, and get to make art—not just as a hobby or side hustle—but as my career.

The Joy of Creating

The best part of this journey so far is simple: I love what I do. Every mural I paint feels like a new adventure or challenge. There’s something so satisfying about standing in front of a blank wall and envisioning what it could become. I feel like I get to bring stories to life with colour and shape, and I’m lucky enough to be invited into people’s homes, businesses, and lives to do it.

That moment when the piece finally comes together—when I step back and see the whole picture—makes my heart sing. It’s not just about putting paint on a surface. It’s about connection, storytelling, and emotion. It’s about creating something that didn’t exist before.

And every time I get a message from a client saying, “This is exactly what I hoped for,” it reinforces why I must continue doing what I do.

The Shadow Side: Imposter Syndrome

But I won’t pretend it’s all sunshine and smiles. There’s a side to this journey that’s quieter, heavier, and harder to talk about: imposter syndrome.

There are days when I ask myself, “Who am I to be doing this?” I wonder if my skills are good enough, if I’m truly “qualified” to call myself an artist, let alone build a career around it. I compare myself to other artists (like most artists do), even though I know it’s not healthy. The internet is full of stunning work, and it's so easy to fall into the trap of thinking you’re not enough. Even having a recent post go ‘viral’ with over 65K views, I still have doubts!

Sometimes I stare at a blank wall and have to take a minute. Not because I don’t have ideas, but because I doubt whether my ideas are good enough. I’ll worry that a client might be disappointed. That I can’t execute it well enough. I’ll second-guess everything, including “why did they choose me”.

And of course, there’s the business side of things too. Freelancing means you're not just an artist—you’re also your own marketing department, sales, accountant, project manager, and customer service team. I worry about where my next job will come from, A LOT. I worry about pricing—am I charging too much? Too little? Will I be able to physically and financially sustain this long term?

Learning to Sit with the Fear

But what I’ve learned so far, is fear doesn’t mean you’re on the wrong path. In fact, it usually means you care deeply about what you’re doing. If I didn’t care, I wouldn’t be afraid. I wouldn’t be lying awake at night thinking about how to improve, how to grow, how to give each client something amazing.

I’ve also learned that imposter syndrome doesn’t just vanish. It’s not something you “overcome” once and never deal with again. It comes in waves, and you learn to ride them. Some days I feel like I’m living the dream. Other days, I feel like a fraud. Both are normal, and both are valid.

The important thing is that I keep going. I keep painting. I keep putting myself out there, even when it’s uncomfortable.

Redefining Success

Success, I’m realising, isn’t a destination. It’s not a magical point in the future when all my fears disappear and everything becomes easy. Success is choosing to show up. It’s saying yes to that next mural even if I’m unsure how to do it.

I’ve started redefining what success means to me. It’s not just about an income (although, of course, that matters). It’s about freedom. It’s about fulfilment. It’s about waking up excited to do my work. And maybe most importantly, it’s about staying true to the joy that made me fall in love with art in the first place.

Community and Support

One of the things that’s helped the most has been finding other creatives to talk to. Whether it’s fellow freelancers or muralists, it helps so much to know I’m not alone in these thoughts. Self-employment can be a lonely place when you’re riding solo. Everyone, it seems, battles imposter syndrome at some point. Even the artists I admire most.

Every kind word, every referral, every compliment—even the small ones—matter more than people probably realise. They’re the quiet fuel that keeps the fire burning on days when self-doubt starts to creep in.

Looking Ahead

I don’t know exactly where this path will lead, and that’s okay. There will be bumps, of course. There already have been. But I also believe there will be many more unbelievable opportunities.

So here I am—freelance artist, muralist, dreamer, worrier, doer. I’m proud of how far I’ve come, and I’m excited (and scared) for what’s next. If you’re reading this and you’ve been thinking about taking a leap of your own, whether it’s into art or something else entirely—this is your sign. The fear will be there, but so will the joy.

And if you’re already on your own path, wondering if you’re good enough—this is your reminder: YOU ARE.

Thanks for being here. Thanks for cheering me on. I’ll keep painting, keep learning, and keep sharing the journey as honestly as I can.

Here’s to blank walls, bold colours, and big dreams.

‍ Kate