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