We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Naomi Castro. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Naomi below.
Naomi, thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. 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 try to always find a balance between working as a freelance illustrator anywhere from part to full-time, depending on my financial situation at the moment. I find that the balance I enjoy most is having a “regular” or “day” job that is at least somewhat fulfilling, that way I can have a stable income while also getting to work different art jobs without having to worry about overworking myself on the freelancing front just to make ends meet.
As always, we appreciate you sharing your insights and we’ve got a few more questions for you, but before we get to all of that can you take a minute to introduce yourself and give our readers some of your back background and context?
My name is Naomi Castro and I have been working as a freelance illustrator since graduating with a B.F.A. in Illustration in 2018. I work primarily digital, focusing on concept art, character design, storyboarding, and comics. I’m proud to be an ENNIE Award winning artist for TTRPG of the Year, Thirsty Sword Lesbians from Evil Hat Productions, and have also worked with them on other TTRPG playbooks, Apocalypse Keys and Girl by Moonlight. My favorite thing to accomplish with my art is being able to tell new stories from varied perspectives and help people bring their ideas to life.
How about pivoting – can you share the story of a time you’ve had to pivot?
When I was originally pursuing art in college, my plans were to work for a major animation or video game company as a concept artist. As I was getting closer to graduation, I was hearing more and more stories come out from artists working in those professional spaces about being overworked and underpaid. I decided to change course and work on growing my online presence as a freelancer, making a name for myself in TTRPG art circles instead.
Is there a particular goal or mission driving your creative journey?
At this point in my life, I’ve been able to find a fulfilling part-time job teaching media and visual arts to youth in Detroit, which helps give me a schedule and goals outside of my own freelancing, but it also gives me enough time to keep improving at my own art and continue to build relationships with clients. A helpful balance of both things has greatly improved my mental health in relation to every day life and productivity. Going through this journey has helped me realize my real goal and drive is to just maintain this balance and be ready to course correct if needed.
Contact Info:
- Website: naydcas.art
- Instagram: instagram.com/naydcasart
- Twitter: https://twitter.com/naydcasart
- Other: https://www.tiktok.com/@naydcasart my original comic icaruscomic.com
Image Credits
Naomi D Castro (“naydcasart”)