We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Camille Richardson Delgado a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.

Camille, looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. I’m sure there have been days where the challenges of being an artist or creative force you to think about what it would be like to just have a regular job. When’s the last time you felt that way? Did you have any insights from the experience?

I am 100% happier as an artist! I love having creative freedom and I love making decisions that are best for me.

Before committing to my own business, I spent 15 years in the corporate world, so I already know what it’s like to have a regular job. However, I still desire having more consistent work, and especially a more consistent income. The toughest part about being an artist is not knowing when the next job/commission will come in. I am extremely busy at times but I also have had my share of down time. With two young boys to raise though, it has been nothing short of a blessing as our “normal” has changed so much over the past few years. I have been able to help get the family through home schooling and quarantining without having the stress of trying to also manage an 8-10 hour job.

Camille, love having you share your insights with us. Before we ask you more questions, maybe you can take a moment to introduce yourself to our readers who might have missed our earlier conversations?

After attaining degrees from both Texas A&M University (Journalism) and the Art Institute of Houston (Graphic Design), I spent 15 years in the real estate and homebuilding industries. I worked for small boutique real estate firms and large publicly traded corporations. I was able to use all of my skills here and there, and learned much more along the way. But, I felt like I was in a box. I wanted more control of my life, and I wanted creative opportunities. I had gone down more of a marketing manager/coordinator road, and the further down that road I got, the unhappier I became.

So, after 15 years of 40-60 hour weeks, I made a decision to take a chance. I started my own business.
It began as a freelance graphic design gig…a bit of a continuation from what I was doing in the corporate world. But, it has turned into much more. I now offer LIVE paintings at weddings/events and custom artwork.

I am most proud of my willingness to try something new. To put myself out there, knowing that I wouldn’t get it right the first time. I knew that i was in for a battle with people around me who wouldn’t understand my choices, and as an aspiring artist in a tough and saturated market.

What do you find most rewarding about being a creative?

The most rewarding aspect of being an artist is finishing a commission. Although a happy client is the ultimate measure of success, I find so much joy in completing every painting.

This is likely because with every piece, there is a time during the process that I question my ability to finish. I often don’t like what I see in front of me in early stages of a painting, but being able to trust the process, and trust myself, is a challenge in itself. I have done enough now to know my abilities, but the anxiety I feel during those early stages of a painting has never weakened. If anything, the expectations I place on myself make it more and more of a challenge each time.

Let’s talk about resilience next – do you have a story you can share with us?

Contact Info:

• Website: www.ca-milleworks.com
• Instagram: ca_milleworks
• Facebook: CA-Milleworks

Image Credits
Lori Mac Photography John Cain Photography Katherine Larson Photography