We recently had the chance to connect with Joanna Baugbog and have shared our conversation below.
Hi Joanna, thank you so much for taking time out of your busy day to share your story, experiences and insights with our readers. Let’s jump right in with an interesting one: Are you walking a path—or wandering?
I currently feel like I’m walking a path with much more purpose than I ever have. I’m at the beginning of pursuing dreams that I never thought I could step out and achieve for myself. This year has brought very clear opportunities and collaborations that leave me feeling fulfilled. I’m excited to share that journey with everyone. Keep an eye out for some cool things.
Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
I am a mixed media artist based in Austin, Tx. My art tends to focus on emotions and experiences that are hard to describe – mental illness, chronic illness, hope, healing, etc. I want to drive empathy with the work that I create while simultaneously making those who struggle with similar experiences feel seen. My general approach to art is to look at the end message and determine which materials would best convey that message, so as a result I work with a very wide range of materials.
One of the materials I predominantly work with is Mica powder. It’s a loose pigment powder typically used in soap dyes and resins, but I’ve developed my own technique for applying it to canvas and sealing it in. I’m also working to branch out into wearable art for the simple joy of making something beautiful. Either way, I’m constantly learning new skills, materials, and techniques to drive my ability to make something new, unique, and interesting. I am constantly striving for expression and creating a conversation.
Okay, so here’s a deep one: What did you believe about yourself as a child that you no longer believe?
I never believed I was good enough. As a result I was trying to strive for perfection, making everyone happy, following impossible rules, and bending over backwards at the expense of myself.
I’m working to undo a lot of this and one of the most powerful questions I’ve been asked is “What is good enough? How do you even define that? Who decides?” This idea of “good enough” is so subjective that I’m now learning to only hold myself to my own standards instead of everyone else’s expectations. I’m good enough for myself and it’s brought me a lot of peace. It’s also given me freedom to be bad at things instead of feeling like I have to be the best at everything on the first try. I’m working hard to look inward for validation instead of externally. Everything I ever thought I needed from other people has been inside of me all along.
Was there ever a time you almost gave up?
As someone who has struggled with major depressive disorder since childhood, I’ve come face to face with permanently throwing in the towel more times than I can count. I’m grateful to be reminded of the people in my life who love me that I couldn’t bear to hurt like that. Hope has driven me to keep going, striving for something better and genuinely believing it can get better. I’ve experienced so many incredible things as a result, met the love of my life and so many wonderful friends I never thought I’d have. Anytime I feel like giving up I just remind myself there’s more amazing things in the pipeline that I’d miss out on if I wasn’t here. Life has ebbs and flows, and the joy makes the suffering worth it – and suffering usually has something valuable to teach you.
So a lot of these questions go deep, but if you are open to it, we’ve got a few more questions that we’d love to get your take on. What truths are so foundational in your life that you rarely articulate them?
We have a responsibility to care for three things: the planet, animals, and each other. These three things are worthy of inconvenience.
Okay, so let’s keep going with one more question that means a lot to us: Are you doing what you were born to do—or what you were told to do?
I am absolutely living out who I was created to be. I’m making and selling art, building deep relationships, ice skating, and pursuing some long term goals in fashion and sustainability. I’ve found that true happiness lies in being exactly who you are – building on the things you naturally excel at.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: @jbaugart
- Linkedin: https://Www.linkedin.com/in/joannabaugbog
