Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Michelle Romo. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.

Hi Michelle, thanks for joining us today. Are you able to earn a full-time living from your creative work? If so, can you walk us through your journey and how you made it happen?

I have been working as a designer since the start of my career. There have been highs and lows, and it wasn’t always glamorous, but I feel really fortunate that I’ve always been working in my field of choice.

I started out by working for a small print shop. I decided that I wanted to develop my own characters to create a product line of miscellaneous cuteness. The print shop job funded my personal projects, and my illustration work grew my portfolio into the direction of the work I REALLY wanted to be doing.

From the growth in my personal work I was able to accept increasingly better design positions with interesting companies, develop my own work into more products, and partner will cool clients to license my illustrations.

That’s essentially the cycle I’ve been in for the past 20 years.

I started with the print shop job funding my personal line of apparel and accessories. That process turned my tiny studio apartment into a warehouse.

From developing that initial line l I landed a job as a designer for a junior’s apparel and accessories company. Simultaneously I begin to take my new personal designs to licensing partners.

From meeting and partnering with companies to license my art I acquired a position designing kids’ home decor, bedding, toys, and craft supplies.

After that I decided I wanted to get into publishing. From working in the kids’ space I was able to have more insight into design for children and created a series of board books.

Creating books led me to animation. I had the chance to develop a show for a studio based on a character from one of my books!

I’m currently working for a publisher during the day, creating art and products that spark my interest, and continuing to pitch more books and animation ideas.

Each experience has provided me with new insight and pushed me to the next phase of my career.

That is, of course, the fun version! There has also been blowing through my savings, boring design work to make ends meet, a ton of “NO” from clients, publishers and studios, and many long days with a fair amount of self doubt.

Ultimately none of that has deterred me from trying. There’s some kind of blend of perseverance, hard work, skill, a little delusion, timing and luck that goes into everything. I consider myself successful and lucky that I get to keep making cool things and working with good folks!

Michelle, 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?

I had always been interested in art but I got into design and illustration because my mom was a graphic designer. I didn’t go to school for design. I taught myself the programs I needed to learn, and asked my mom and the internet how to do things.

My early work was ROUGH, but people were interested enough in it that I was given opportunities to do more and get better! Of course there are situations where people care about previous experience and education – but I think one of the cool things about being a creative is that you can create a portfolio of what you want to be doing without having a ton of direct experience.

It’s like that saying – dress for the job you want not for the one you have. It’s like that, but… creating for the job you want? That makes sense, right?

I don’t think I’m the most amazing artist that ever lived, but I love what I make and I think that people can feel that. I’m proud of my work!

I like to think that my vibe as a person comes through my work – I’m colorful and fun, a little strange, and fairly uncomplicated but still interesting. I hope looking at my art makes people feel nice things, and I hope working with me makes people feel nice things.

We’d love to hear a story of resilience from your journey.

I had a job that I was unhappy at. It wasn’t all bad – I learned a lot, and I appreciate things from my time there but ultimately there were a lot of factors that made me miserable.

At the time I felt trapped because it was early in my career and I had a really good salary. The money made me feel like a grown up, and in my early 20’s that meant something! I thought that I would never get paid that much money again and that I should just stay. And I did – I stayed there a long time until I was so burnt out that I resented everything. I realized I had to change things because I was just bummed out all the time.

I quit! I found another job but took a pay cut and had a lower title. I picked up different freelance clients, and just pushed on with my personal work.

It was hard but ultimately worth it. If I would have stayed I think I probably would be making more money than I do now, and have a fancy title, but who cares! It wasn’t good for my brain and I’m glad I left.

I was stuck in what I thought I was supposed to be doing or what my career or business trajectory was supposed to be instead of making an effort to make my life better and create the art I want to create. I’m much happier now.

Learning and unlearning are both critical parts of growth – can you share a story of a time when you had to unlearn a lesson?

During my career I’ve had a lot of success but sometimes things just don’t pan out. I used to take those “failures” really hard. I used my art and my career as a measure of who I was ENTIRELY. Projects falling apart, being told no, or just being shut down REALLY hurt my brain and heart. I just took it all so personally.

Over time I’ve learned my whole existence is not defined by my career. I’m a person!
I’m a nice friend to cats and humans. I like gardening, making people food, reading comics, and playing Zelda games. I have a lovely husband and such nice step-kids. I’ve watched 10 out of the 16 Puppet Master movies. These things make me the person that I am in addition to my artwork, and my output.

To be entirely honest though, in making that small list of other things that make me, ~me~ a small part of my brain is STILL like “You’re just saying that to compensate for not being A REAL ARTIST WHO IS SUCCESSFUL 100% OF THE TIME.”

So there is just ongoing unlearning of being rude to myself.
I’ve learned to care less about things not working out, and appreciate the things that do.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.crowdedteeth.com
• Instagram: @monstromo
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/crowdedteeth

Image Credits
Spencer the Cat Books – Workman Publishing Dreaming of Space Quilt – The Land of Nod Kazoo – Kazoo Magazine December 2023 Issue