We were lucky to catch up with Steven Craig recently and have shared our conversation below.

Steven, thanks for taking the time to share your stories 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 absolutely happier doing creative work. There is such a sense of accomplishment when a client is happy with a new illustration, or when people get a laugh from a cartoon. The latter is probably the most fun-bringing a tiny bit of joy to a person’s day.
It is tempting to think about getting a regular job when the work flow slows down! Having a set schedule, at a place of business, with the weekends off would be nice. Also benefits. You don’t realize how much health insurance is until you have to pay it all yourself! And taxes-doing book keeping is not a highlight in my business! Numbers and artists don’t seem to work well together. Is it a left brain, right brain thing?
In the end, freelancing comes down to a person’s comfort level. Do you crave stability, or a more free, open lifestyle? Also, do you have the discipline to keep on task with projects, self promotion and paperwork? If you don’t, a self employed life is probably not for you! Lazy and unfocused people will wind up very hungry…

Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.

Upon completing a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree at the University of Oklahoma in 1988, I embarked on my professional journey by securing his inaugural position in advertising illustration at Bill Jenkin’s Cat Pak Studio, which later became known as Stat Cat and eventually Studio 212 In this dynamic environment, I had the opportunity to collaborate with renowned brands such as PepsiCo, Frito Lay, Blockbuster Video, Radio Shack, and Hasbro, among others. My role involved not only direct projects from these prestigious companies but also assignments facilitated through prominent advertising agencies like TracyLocke, The Richards Group, and TM Advertising. This diverse array of experiences allowed me to hone my skills while working alongside a variety of art directors, creative directors, and designers, enriching my artistic perspective and professional network.

Later I freelanced for a decade and worked with notable clients such as Samsung, Chuck E. Cheese, TGI Fridays, La Quinta, Clamato, and many others. During this time, I was the main artist for Chuck E. Cheese, so the stores were filled with table tent art, window clings, soda machine translite illustrations, coupons books, ect. done by myself and my design partner Kim Griffith. Having entire restaurants embellished with my illustration was a definite highlight of my career!

Following the first freelance period of my career, I began my tenure at Worlds of Wow, a theming company. This job provided me with invaluable experience in crafting large-scale themed artwork for a diverse range of clients, including churches, dental offices, and military recreational facilities. My role primarily focused on the creation of expansive wall coverings, signage, and character appliqués, utilizing industry-standard software such as Adobe Illustrator, Photoshop, and InDesign. Throughout this period, I enhanced my skills by collaborating closely with printers, which deepened my understanding of large format printing materials and techniques. Additionally, I expanded my visual expertise by exploring artificial intelligence tools like Adobe Firefly, Midjourney, and ArtSpace, further enriching my creative capabilities and helping to keep myself at the forefront of design innovation.

Currently, I have returned to freelancing, where I work on projects such as Mars, Incorporated’s M&M characters for Marvel Comics and Star Wars tie-ins. I am very fortunate to be an able to contribute to another major brand’s cartoon characters!

Finally, I do my own cartoons under the title of Neurotico Comics. Publishing my first book of cartoons on Amazon is a significant accomplishment in my career. I am currently working on the second book, as time allows.

Do you think there is something that non-creatives might struggle to understand about your journey as a creative? Maybe you can shed some light?

First of all, doing illustration is not easy. Many non-creatives think that we play all day at our favorite hobby. It is a blessing to be able to work in a creative field, but it is still hard work. We creatives have the same difficult and sometimes ridiculous deadlines that everyone has, but it is complicated by the fact that non-creatives don’t understand how long the artistic process takes, and of how difficult it is. Consider the fact that every product produced in modern life has had to have been designed by someone. Everything from a person’s phone, to computer, to car, to even the cup from a fast food restaurant has been carefully thought out, designed and illustrated at some point. No one would consider the design of a cell phone to be easy, though it goes through the same visual processes as the design of every package in every store.

Second, most of the time we do not have control of the creative process, so other people tell us what to create. That means that we don’t get to create art that we think is the best, but many times wind up producing images that are not the best solution in our opinion. Advertising art is client driven, so the client’s wants and needs are the only thing that really matters. Quoting one of my favorite cartoonists, Daniel Clowes, about the creative process; “If you want to do that Picasso stuff, go to Paris.” That means that you do professional work in the style and at the direction of your client-no going rogue and ignoring their desires.

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

Cash. Cold, hard cash! Seriously though, advertising is all about the money, and extending a client’s reach in the marketplace. So as far as advertising art and creativity goes, helping a client increase their sales, is an important, rewarding aspect of that sort of work.
The most rewarding type of work I do is, of course, my own work, where I have creative control. My favorite creative outlet is my cartoon strip, Neurotico Comics. I can draw the silliest things and most outrageous characters in the panels just for fun! I can use colors that, as a friend said, “give me a headache.” Really, the colors don’t give me a headache, but make me giggle.

With my cartoon, making people giggle and laugh is most rewarding thing. As a former class clown, I know that laughter is the best medicine, and frankly, just the best of everything. If I can cheer up one person, then all the work was worth it. My first book “Neurotico, Comics O’ Plenty, Volume One,” is available for viewing and purchasing on Amazon.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.behance.net/idrawstuffstudio?locale=en_US
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/stevencraigartist/
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/stevencraigillustration/
• Twitter: https://x.com/NeuroticoComics
• Other: https://dribbble.com/StevenCraig3005