Conversations with Lydia Carswell

Today we’d like to introduce you to Lydia Carswell.

Thank you so much for sharing your story and insight with our readers. To kick things off, how did you get started?
I’ve always been an artist and storyteller, whether I was reciting scenes from “The Lion King” with my dad when I was three or drawing comics on my bedroom floor. I’ve just never stopped telling stories. It’s bled onto social media and marketing platforms and other places like that, but I’ve had to make art at the end of the day, so I kept pushing it.

Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story. Has it been an easy path overall, and if not, what challenges have you had to overcome?
The act of learning and creating is the fun part. It offers me peace, centeredness, and fun. Most of my challenges come from living in a capitalist age where your hobbies, art, and work are commodified; otherwise, what’s the point of creating? (Untrue, but you get what I mean). For me, social media has always been a double-edged sword. If I was being 1000% honest, I wish I didn’t have to use it. The dramatic actor in me wants the career of pre-internet writers and artists: I want to hole up in my dark room, get the pages done, draw the thing, and not have to do a little dance and make a video to get publishers or audiences to see what I’m making. But I like some beautiful things about the internet and social apps. They are an excellent place for creators to see their work or connect with like-minded people and communities. I like making little videos and getting inspiration from other artists on platforms. I sometimes forget that while I’m running on the content-making hampster wheel (you have to post something every day to stay on people’s feeds, you have to have all the answers, you have to make this type of video and get this much engagement just let me drop my phone into the bathtub and be free). All that to say is, if I stay authentic, let myself rest from The Grind, and know that at the end of the day, it’s about creating what’s in my heart, I’ll be very okay.

Thanks for sharing that. So, you could tell us a bit more about your work.
I’ll have way too many hobbies. I have to imagine that I might be more “successful” if I poured all my energy into one thing rather than a hundred things (and what is “success” anyway? I’ve got some re-wiring and re-defining to do). But I love creating lots of things and expressing myself through all kinds of different venues. When I was last here, I mostly talked about my acting path. I have a B.A. in Theatre and go in and out of acting depending on what’s happening in life, but I’m most well-known for my illustration work and art tutorials on TikTok–that type of content tends to blow up over there. I’m proud of creating as often as I can, but there’s something to be said about the feeling when I complete a project. WALL FLOWERS is a webcomic I host on WebtoonCanvas, and the first season is complete as of last year. I’m also proud of completing my very first book (being a published writer is something I’ve dreamed of since I was a teenager), and I am currently searching for a literary agent. Wish me well! What sets me apart is the theme that bleeds into everything I do and every story I tell: it’s courageous to try, even if you fail. Be yourself, be kind, love yourself, and it won’t matter what the world defines as “success.”

How can people work with you, collaborate with you, or support you?
One of my favorite things I do to keep in touch (not social media, though a follow is always a nice thing) is through my newsletter on Substack. Support there is always appreciated. I also do commission artwork and graphic design, and you can find services on my website: www.lydiajoyportfolio.com. I have more than seven years in the professional field of creating art, writing, and books, and I also love talking about the art process and all things creative. Drop me a line!

Contact Info:

• Website: www.lydiajoyportfolio.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/impastmybedtime
• Twitter: https://x.com/lydijoy
• Other: https://lydiajoytheartist.substack.com/

Image Credits
Miah Coen