Catie
Lewis

Artist | Catie Lewis Art

Austin, Texas

hello@catielewis.com

Catie
Lewis

Artist | Catie Lewis Art

Austin, Texas

hello@catielewis.com

What advice would you like to share with the next generation?

The biggest piece of advice I’d share with the next generation is that you can actually do whatever it is you want to do in life! Life’s possibilities are only growing with the rise of technology and communication, so the typical life path of the past no longer has to be the standard for success or happiness. Literally anything you can dream up or imagine for yourself can be made possible and it’s very likely what you want to achieve is being done this very minute! Dreaming bigger should be the new standard and breaking away from whatever is deemed “normal” or “safe” by societal expectations should BE normalized. Start your clothing business, make your TikTok videos, grow your lifestyle blog... as the next generation, you should go out there and show everyone else what it looks like to fearlessly chase your dreams! The perfect time to make mistakes & learn from them is when you’re young so have at it and do it big.

What are your career aspirations?

I definitely would like to be known as a traveling muralist who spreads art & color on walls and in communities all over the world. I want to have the freedom to explore and experience other cultures while leaving my own art and cultivating creative projects wherever I go. I would like to build my dream art studio in Siargao, Philippines where my family lives and give access to art supplies & safe spaces for the islands youth to create and explore the possibilities of a career in art.

What is one piece of conventional advice you strongly disagree with?

I would say the one piece of conventional advice that I strongly disagree with is the notion that you have to have a college degree to be successful. While it may be true and sometimes necessary for some, it is in no way essential for all. Especially now, with the shift into a social media era and global communication at an all time high- almost all careers are able to survive and even flourish without traditional education. There are millions of online courses made by regular people who directly benefit it’s target market- no degree, certification or distinction needed. Especially the way people are able to make money has changed and the possibilities are endless, so degrees don’t hold as much weight in many fields. I think this advice lead me down a very specific path after graduating highschool, but I soon realized that the life I desired did not require traditional college. I forged my own way and taught myself the skills and knowledge I needed to be successful in my industry with the simple tools that are google and the public library.

What has been one of the largest professional obstacles you have had to overcome?

I think the largest professional obstacles I’ve had to overcome is my own fight with Imposter Syndrome. Though I am in a creative industry, I still struggle to deem what I do and the art I make as worthy being a self taught artist with just an associates degree. Even the idea of just taking up space as a woman of color in a still very male dominated industry was a lot to work through mentally, emotionally and financially. Thankfully I’m surrounded by a very supportive and welcoming community, so it’s an obstacle that is shrinking by the day. I do think that it takes a toll on me most days, especially as someone who works alone in my home which can be very isolating if I don’t remember to engage or interact with others from time to time.

What would you love to accomplish or do more of?

I would love to accomplish a lot more public murals and completing my own fine art collections. I felt like I’ve built up a good part of the business side, which can easily take up the time that’s needed to be creative. But now I’d like to get back to spending most days just painting or doing fun little personal projects!