We were lucky to catch up with Cammry Lapka recently and have shared our conversation below.

Cammry, appreciate you joining us today. We’d love to hear about a project that you’ve worked on that’s meant a lot to you.

The most meaningful project I’ve worked on, and this may sound self-serving because it is, is my own project. I illustrate graphic novels for a living and I enjoy doing so. However, a lot of the time I feel like its just for the money and I’m not always 100% invested. I do put in the effort to serve my clients, but there’s a spark that is lacking in a lot of these projects. Recently, I decided to cut down on freelance stuff and work on my own graphic novels. I now have a nearly complete book that will be running a kickstarter in March. The work I’ve put into this comic is beyond the scope of what I usually do. And it’s because it’s for myself and feels so much more fulfilling. Since the story and everything is all mine. This book is silly and there’s no restrictions on what I can or can’t do with it. It’s exhilirating and I hope all artists take the time to do what makes them happy rather than what makes them money if it is viable for them.
My new book is called “George Smith Paranormal Investigator of the PNW” and will be available on Kickstarter starting March 1st! Check it out if you like! :)

Great, appreciate you sharing that with us. Before we ask you to share more of your insights, can you take a moment to introduce yourself and how you got to where you are today to our readers.

My name is Cammry. I’m a nonbinary artist living in Washington State. I’ve been working professionally in the comic book industry for about 5 years now. I’ve done graphic novels for USA bestseller Russell Nohelty, I have a Webtoon by the name of “Cat Trails” and I am currently drawing a series for Bad Bug Media called “Death Nell.” I’m currently going back to school for business and am hoping to develop my skills as a business person so I may pair that with my artistic skills and maybe help other artists along the way. Right now, I am also working on developing my own comics and my own brand that other can recognize and enjoy. Currently that is writing and illustrating my own graphic novel coming out March 1st called “George Smith; Paranormal Investigator of the PNW” I worked really hard on making this happen and I’m very excited to start my journey doing art for myself. Thanks for checking me out!

Looking back, are there any resources you wish you knew about earlier in your creative journey?

I really wish I would have gone to college for business rather than art in my early days. I dropped out because I was struggling in so many areas of my life. I think if I would have realized that what it took to survive as an artist is to have the correct acumen on how to market and sell yourself rather than just how to do the art I might have gotten farther faster. However, everyone is on their own journeys and I’m hoping to express to anyone seeking to go full-time to make sure you have those skills first.

What’s the most rewarding aspect of being a creative in your experience?

For me its interacting with people who say my art affected them one way or another. I’m always hoping my art has an impact, especially on the younger generations. When I was a kid I was always told it would be extremely difficult to be an artist. That I should consider other alternatives that everyone needs (Graphic Design for example) and I tried to work within those boundaries but quickly discovered that wasn’t for me. So, me being a stubborn human being, I have been aggressively working towards that freedom I crave and I hope others do the same. Just make sure you’re doing it for the right reasons, and that you are honest with yourself about the skills you will need. Everytime someone says I helped them or inspired them it keeps the flame in my heart lit to continously be stubborn in that pursuit!

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.cammrylapkaart.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/chroncruik/?hl=en
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/cammrylapkasartwork/
• Twitter: https://twitter.com/Chroncruik
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@CosmicChibi
• Other: https://linktr.ee/chroncruik

Image Credits
All images are taken by me