Jimena Agra (@himepaints), a Spanish oil painter with over 1 million YouTube subscribers, joins CREATOR: The Podcast to discuss building a fine art career through digital platforms. In this episode, Jimena shares how she learned oil painting primarily through YouTube rather than traditional art school, including her journey from disappointment with formal art education in Madrid to creating a thriving online art business in Los Angeles. Host Ross Borden explores Jimena's path from viral cosplay content to serious oil painting, diving into her commission process, the economics of selling original artwork versus prints, and her recent gallery breakthrough with a piece called "Persephone in the Garden" at Modern Eden in San Francisco. Jimena offers behind-the-scenes insights about organizing painting retreats in Italy and France, plus practical advice on building authentic connections with followers while maintaining artistic integrity. Whether you're an aspiring artist looking to monetize your craft or simply interested in the intersection of traditional art and modern creator economy, this conversation delivers valuable perspective on forging your own creative path.
To learn more about CREATOR: The Podcast, visit creatorthepodcast.com
00:00 - Introduction to Jimena Agra
01:04 - From Spain to Los Angeles: The Artist's Journey
03:11 - Discovering Oil Painting in College
04:30 - Starting as a Creator: From Makeup to Art
06:27 - Quarter-Life Crisis and Finding Her Passion
08:10 - Digital Success vs. Traditional Galleries
09:39 - Describing Her Romantic, Impressionist Style
12:06 - The Creative Process Behind Each Painting
14:41 - Selling Original Work and Prints
16:27 - Commission Work and Client Relationships
17:52 - Revenue Sources: Brand Deals vs. Art Sales
19:23 - Building Community Through Patreon
20:40 - Painting Retreats and Travel Inspiration
23:05 - Advice for Aspiring Artists
24:28 - Where to Find Jimena Online
