Danielle Weber
Danielle Weber, Artist & Muralist
Creativity, Suceess & The Long Game
Danielle Weber, Artist and Muralist
What does it really take to build a career doing something you love, before you know whether it will work?
Danielle Weber is one of Australia’s most recognised visual artists and muralists, known for her large-scale portraits of cultural icons including Kobe Bryant, Serena Williams, Eminem and Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson. Her work has attracted a global audience and led to collaborations with brands including Nike and Jordan.
But the career people see today was built over years.
In this episode of the Let’s Check In Podcast, Suzie McErvale sits down with Danielle for an honest conversation about creativity, success, self-belief and the long game of building meaningful work.
Danielle shares how a painting of Dwayne Johnson became an unexpected turning point when he noticed her work online and encouraged her to pursue it. What followed wasn’t overnight success. She spent years developing her craft, working other jobs to fund her art and creating for little more than the cost of materials. Looking back, she sees those years as some of the most important for learning and growth.
The conversation explores what Danielle has learnt about success through studying and working around some of the world’s highest achievers. Rather than seeing success as a destination, she has become increasingly interested in the process, making an impact, enjoying the work and building a life that feels successful beyond external achievements.
Danielle also opens up about the intensity behind her creative process, including what she calls “lock-in Danielle”, periods of deep focus where almost everything else disappears. She reflects on learning when that intensity serves her work and when it begins to come at the cost of her wellbeing and why mindset and self-awareness have become essential to sustaining a creative career.
Together they discuss:
The years of work behind visible success
How Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson discovering her artwork changed her trajectory
Backing yourself before the outcome is guaranteed
Creativity, discipline and playing the long game
Why people can miss valuable stages of growth chasing the “big, shiny things”
How working around high achievers changed Danielle’s definition of success
“Lock-in Danielle” and the relationship between intense focus and wellbeing
Why mindset matters for creative longevity
Knowing what fuels you — and what drains you
Dealing with criticism and other people’s opinions
Finding purpose through D Collective and supporting other creatives
Why creativity and growth may never have a finish line
Running towards uncertainty rather than waiting for certainty
One of the most interesting ideas in the conversation is Danielle’s changing relationship with success. After years spent studying people who have achieved extraordinary things, she has found that even they rarely feel as though they have “arrived.” The goalposts keep moving, and often the moments that matter most aren’t the biggest or most visible ones.
Her own definition has become much more personal: to have peace in her mind, make an impact and still enjoy the process along the way.
It’s a conversation about the years people don’t see, backing yourself before you know where it will lead, and building success without losing the part of the work you loved in the first place.
Connect with Danielle Weber
🎨 Danielle’s Artwork
📱 @daniellesartwork
📱 The D Collective
Competition Details
Season 3 is proudly supported by Pulito Group. To celebrate, they're giving one lucky business the chance to win $1,000 towards a professional commercial clean for a retail, hospitality or commercial space. To enter, follow @pulito_group on Instagram, like the competition post and comment by tagging a business owner or someone opening or refreshing a commercial space.
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