Today we’d like to introduce you to Chris Orozco.
Alright, so thank you so much for sharing your story and insight with our readers. To kick things off, can you tell us a bit about how you got started?
I think it all began when I was a young lad, in a world as full of wonder as the Shire. I’m kidding—well, sort of. The real story starts in 4th grade. I loved drawing, and one of my classmates admired my art so much that they showed it off to everyone without my permission. Before I knew it, a band of classmates had gathered around my desk, eager for more of my creations, like a band of dwarves on a quest for treasure.
Fast forward 20 years to 2024. I’m reigniting my dream, but with one major difference: I’m not in 4th grade anymore. Since high school, I’ve always had a strong urge to create—whether through storytelling, crafting, drawing, or doodling. My art skills kept popping up in various projects. Even in college, despite my persistent desire to create, fears of becoming a “starving artist” and other insecurities made me hesitant to pursue art as a degree.
Then, in 2020, during the world’s chaotic “fight or flight” phase, I made a decision: I wasn’t going to leave this world without following my dreams. I didn’t want to be an old hobbit regretting that I hadn’t pursued my artistic passions. And so, my journey began, full of unexpected adventures and challenges.
Here’s a reality check for anyone embarking on a similar quest: It’s all about marketing, experimenting, and yes, failing. When you’re on your own, it involves financial risks. But in the end, it’s largely about marketing. Your art might seem “crappy” to you, but if you can market it well, people will buy it—like finding unexpected treasure in a dragon’s hoard.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
“The road goes ever on and on, down from the door where it began. Now far ahead the road has gone, and I must follow if I can, pursuing it with weary feet, until it joins some larger way, where many paths and errands meet. And whither then? I cannot say,” Gandalf once said (in his own wise way).
The struggle often lies in our ego, expectations, and the hope that things will simply fall into place. But the truth is, you can’t stand in the middle of the road waiting for divine intervention. You can’t wander aimlessly and expect a care package to magically appear in your path. Waiting for fate, the Universe, or others to come to your rescue is futile.
You must venture off the well-trodden path to seek out what you desire.
In short, you need to put in the work. I won’t delve into the creative side—that’s a journey every artist navigates on their own. But when it comes to selling and marketing, that’s the real quest. Talk about your work with friends, strangers, and neighbors. Leave your digital footprint everywhere—your website, portfolio, or store. Share your main page in person. Take on free projects, but always direct people to your “art handles.”
Yes, it’s frustrating to constantly prove yourself, but that’s the only way to get people to notice, buy, and engage with your art. For the past four years, I’ve grappled with the belief that “things will naturally work out if I just post every day on social media.” It’s not. It’s like standing in the middle of a desert, selling “fish” in a place where no one is passing by, hoping to find a customer. You need to journey to different spots and market yourself everywhere.
Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
Here’s a refined version with a touch of your personality and artistic spirit:
To anyone reading this, I want to set the record straight—I’m not some “highly successful, money-making” artist. In the past four years, I’ve made around $200-$300. There was a Kickstarter that could’ve brought in $1200, but time management issues prevented me from following through. The exciting part? There were genuine interests from people who weren’t just friends and family!
So, what am I selling? Myself, of course! But what do people actually want from me? Surprisingly, it’s been international and non-local audiences. My Redbubble T-shirt store has seen more traffic from outside the U.S. I’ve sold a moon map to Australia, a Mexican proverb T-shirt to Belgium, and a “Thank You” Chinese takeout logo to someone in Europe. It’s unexpected and quirky, but that’s just me—and I’m cool with it.
Honestly, I’m still figuring out my niche. I love creating designs and illustrations that are “cool” and could fit right in at Hot Topic or Zumies. If you’re curious about my vibe, watch Justice’s “D.A.N.C.E.” on YouTube—you’ll get where I’m coming from. My style? Picture Martin Handford’s “Where’s Waldo” meets Pamela Colman Smith’s Tarot Cards Arcana.
What sets me apart is that I’m still on this journey, experimenting with what resonates. My work is playful, eclectic, and open to wherever creativity takes me. I believe in exploring various mediums—brushes, clay, watercolors, ink, anything your hands can shape and transform. Limiting yourself to one craft feels restrictive. Embrace the process, and let your creativity roam free!
Before we go, is there anything else you can share with us?
But don’t fall into the fantasy that quitting your full-time job and embarking on an “art journey” to slay the “dragon in the mountain hoarding all the gold” with a band of “dwarf artists” will magically solve all your problems. You might feel like you’re stuck in your own “small hobbit hole” where life has been dull for the past few decades, but the reality is far more complex than a grand adventure.
You still need to put in the work, even if your surroundings feel uninspiring. The journey is real, but it’s not all epic battles and treasure hunts—it’s about day-to-day effort, persistence, and pushing through the monotony.
And if you haven’t noticed, I’m a big fan of J.R.R. Tolkien. His wisdom captures the essence of the artistic struggle: it’s about continuing the quest, no matter how mundane the path may seem.
Also, I have “bureaucracy educational job” in LAUSD. Its pays the bills, food, and art. Especially the art and food. It’s a struggle out here, folks. Don’t quit your daytime job. Use it to pursue your dreams.
Pricing:
- $20 for RedBubble Tshirts
- $50 for 52 Fantasy Illustration Poker Cards
- $15 for basic “print” thumb size goodies
Contact Info:
- Website: linktr.ee/wizardillustrator
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/wizardillustrator/
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC80-lqmRLnFN0cS8EhYGcFw
- Other: https://christopherorozco9.artstation.com/
