Today we’d like to introduce you to Joshua Baldwin.
Hi Joshua, so excited to have you on the platform. So before we get into questions about your work-life, maybe you can bring our readers up to speed on your story and how you got to where you are today?
I focused on arts in high school, enrolling in an art college afterward, which closed its doors shortly after I began attendance. That was difficult as I was still a kid with large aspirations in debt with no degree or portfolio. I spent a few years working odd jobs to pay bills, and in 2017 I completed conceptual drawings for a local studio. The following year, I worked for another studio developing characters while working full-time. So I spent the next few years working on commissions, graphic design, and personal projects in my free time. Then in the fall of 2019, I was hired to work on Factions Battlegrounds, a fantasy card game focusing on diversity, culture, and mythology. I learned so much through Factions that I applied those skills to personal projects, which is where I am today. I’m currently working on a 30-gun challenge and learning to draw comics.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
The most challenging aspect of my career has been juggling my work/life balance. I spend my evenings and weekends drawing, studying, or writing, sparingly seeing my family and friends. It’s gotten better over the years as I continue to learn. However, as I get older, my responsibilities change, which alters that balance. I’ve learned to accept schedule variation because, as Greta Gerwig said, “The problems are the road.”
Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
I’m a conceptual artist and illustrator specializing in digital concept art. I’m more known for creating detailed sci-fi illustrations, but I’m most proud of my completed conceptual work. I love seeing the iterations of a design grow and change. I work hard to understand the function of design elements, investing time into the comprehension of materials, the caliber of weapons, and the textures of a character’s personality and how it affects their world and story.
Can you talk to us a bit about the role of luck?
I don’t think about luck often, but in my mind, good fortune is having paid work, and bad fortune is the opposite. So when my luck is up, I put my best foot forward; when my luck is down, I work on personal projects. I tend to operate on faith, knowing I’m working for my posterity and future opportunities.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://jbaldwinart.artstation.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jbaldwinart/
Image Credits
Jabari Warlord Credit – Factions: Battlegrounds Vukazi Bladethrower Credit – Factions: Battlegrounds Personal Photo Credit – Multifaceted Creative
