Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Inés del Castillo. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.
Alright, Inés thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us 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 happy as an artist and creative. Also, I think about what it would be like to have a regular job all. the. time. Growing up, I always wanted to be a marine biologist, and um, I still do. Becoming an artist is one of the most spontaneous things I’ve done in my life and a part of me is still surprised I’m here and doing this…based off a decision I made at 18 years old.
It’s always been clear to me that I want and need to have more balance between my science and artist selves. Over the years that’s taken the form of staring in dumbfound awe whenever I meet real-life scientists; advocating for the climate through my money, my vote, and my time; and tinkering with artistic projects that center the environment and nature. Recently, however, expressing my love of nature has become absolutely imperative. I have gone down the rabbit hole more than once researching options for going back to school for conservation and whether or not I can convince the Nature Conservancy to let lil’ ol’ me be on their board with my current qualifications. Every time I do this, though, I also take stock of some salient truths. First and foremost: I love being an artist. It can be so frustrating and disappointing, but it can also be rewarding and transformative and its creative challenges make my brain and my heart hum. Perhaps most important, though, is that I haven’t found another job that would pay me as much and provide the flexibility—and union health insurance—that voice over has provided me. I have a young son who depends on me so this is huge. Sometimes I think I’m crazy for constantly going through this rigamarole of looking at my other potential lives; a lot of times I feel like less of an artist. I feel as if “true artists” don’t have these questions, they’re not unfaithful to the art gods. As you can see, I tend to overthink things, hence why high-school me spontaneously declaring I would attend conservatory continues to surprise me to this day. But back to the 9-5 conundrum: I could be totally wrong. When I really sit and think about it, I think there’s gotta be 9-5s I would love to do or plenty of jobs, such as emergency room doctors, that aren’t 9-5s and actually have job security and benefits. I could see myself getting into that. What I realize, then, is that being in, surrounded by, and caring for nature is a part of my being. And being artistic is as well—it’s a lifestyle, a creed—and I also believe we can’t solve the climate crisis (and the problems we’re facing of greed, inequality, etc.) without creativity and artistry. Recently, I think what I’m realizing is that art is not my purpose. Healing and connection are. And being in nature is where I feel the most alive, aside from when I’m performing with other folks. My passion for nature and my passion for art are both coming from a place of connection, to all life. It seems just as likely that had I majored in marine biology as originally planned, I’d be sitting here typing about my search for artistic endeavors within my science career. Regardless, I have these two loves, these two parts of me. I used to think there was some singular answer to joining my art and nature together, but for me, I think that’s my practice. How do I allow myself to express all of this fully?
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.
As I mentioned before, I had planned on becoming a marine biologist or some sort of -ologist when I happened to take an acting class. That led to many shocked adults and my attending NYU Tisch for theater. My actual degree was in creating original work and had a multidisciplinary approach. From there it was audition while also working on self-produced projects, both my own and with other collaborators. In that process I was introduced to my voice over agent and I began in commercial voice over, both English and Spanish. Over the past twelve years-ish voice over has grown to become my main income and I’ve now worked in many different areas of voice over, including audiobooks, podcasts, news narration, and animation. Voice over pays my bills and I love doing it. That said, some days it feels creative and some days (and here we come full circle) it actually feels like I am in more of a regular job. When I speak about being an artist I’m referring to voice over and also when I get to act and write.
Being fully bilingual sets me apart and has opened doors for me that may not have opened otherwise. It’s also translated (pun intended!) to more work when I’ve booked something in both languages. Particularly in voice over, my voice itself is very distinctive (I’ve got a telltale rasp) and thankfully really dynamic. In a more general sense, I believe my blend of analytical and emotional is unique and useful in developing new work and uncovering my own take on existing work. I’m proud of the variety of my work. I’m proud to provide for my son and I, especially as I’ve navigated very difficult waters personally the past few years. I was told a lot of things about my voice growing up and while at school and it makes me really proud to now make my living with my voice and to continue to grow with it (for example, I’ve recently taken up singing which previously terrified me). Because of how I sound and look, I think a lot of people see me and think, “tough.” And I am, but not in the way they’re thinking. I’m actually really sensitive. I try to do things thoughtfully, lovingly, and with intention. I care deeply and I bring that to my work.
What do you think is the goal or mission that drives your creative journey?
I think this evolves as I do, but lately I think my mission is less about a tangible goal in my career and more about finding steady ground in intertwining and fully expressing my art/creativity and my passion for nature and conservation.
Learning and unlearning are both critical parts of growth – can you share a story of a time when you had to unlearn a lesson?
I had to unlearn that I can’t sing! At home I was told I was tone deaf. In middle school I really loved being in chorus, but my voice started changing and I felt insecure that I was always the alto and had a deeper, raspy voice for a girl. And in college I had singing teachers tell me my voice was “only for pop music” (it was a musical theater class) and that my rasp might mean I had polyps and would need surgery and to re-learn to speak. I was utterly freaked. Meanwhile, people have always asked me if I sing. It was confusing, and to top it off, at one point I mustered the courage to take another singing class in college only to cry while singing my first song on the first day. Fast forward to me finding myself making a living through voice over. Gotta love the irony. Working on the mic for years gave me some confidence back. I was one of the only nerds who ever actually liked voice class in school and I think the voice is fascinating. Also, with time and experience, I’ve learned that so much of work and life is about the people around you. So when I connected with a fellow mom in my pandemic moms chat group, I decided to give voice lessons another chance, not even for the singing, more as continuing education and due diligence for my voice. Singing certain songs can still make me cry very easily, but it turns out I love singing (even when I’m crying)! And I’m definitely not tone deaf. I’m also very happy to report I got checked by an ENT who told me I have no polyps and my vocal folds look healthy and the rasp is just who I am.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.inesdelcastillo.com/
Image Credits
Heard back re: red carpet photo, they said the only info they have is that it was a Shutterstock photographer.
The leather pants photos credit is: Todd Estrin
The rest either I took or was someone informally taking a photo for me to use.