Life & Work with Susan Castillo of Ohio

Today we’d like to introduce you to Susan Castillo.

Hi Susan, can you start by introducing yourself? We’d love to learn more about how you got to where you are today?
I’ve been creative for as long as I can remember. As a child, I spent hours drawing and making things, always finding ways to turn the ideas in my head into something real. One of my favorite examples is a Barbie car I made from a tissue box, complete with working doors and a trunk. It didn’t have wheels, but I thought it was pretty great.

After high school, I was hesitant to attend college because I didn’t have much confidence in my academic abilities. Discovering that I was dyslexic helped me understand some of those challenges and gave me the confidence to move forward. I began taking courses at a community college in 2008 and later received a scholarship to study art at the University of Toledo.

I began my career in graphic design in 2014. Then, in 2023, I was unexpectedly laid off. I started doodling to work through the frustration, and those doodles eventually led me to surface pattern design. I realized I could combine my love of drawing and design to create patterns for fabric, wallpaper, home décor, and other products.

What started as an unexpected setback has turned into a creative direction I’m excited to continue building. I enjoy seeing my artwork evolve from simple drawings into patterns that can become part of everyday life.

Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
Building a career in surface pattern design has definitely been a learning curve. There are so many parts of the industry beyond creating the artwork, from understanding licensing and marketplaces to building a portfolio and getting my work in front of the right people.

I’ve also discovered that marketing myself doesn’t come as naturally to me as designing does. I’m much more comfortable creating than putting myself out there, but I’m learning to become more comfortable with that side of the business and finding ways to share my work that feel natural to me.

One of the biggest lessons has been learning to be patient with the process. There is a lot to learn, but I’m enjoying the challenge and continuing to grow as both an artist and a business owner.

As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about what you do?
I’m a surface pattern designer and artist specializing in hand-drawn, nature-inspired, and illustrative patterns. My work often incorporates botanical elements, animals, and everyday subjects, with an emphasis on thoughtful composition, color, and a sense of character.

A lot of my designs begin with doodling. I enjoy sitting down with a pencil and letting ideas develop without worrying too much about what they’re going to become. Sometimes a simple doodle turns into an illustration, and other times it becomes the beginning of a pattern. I enjoy taking those loose, spontaneous ideas and developing them into something more intentional.

What I love about surface design is the combination of creativity and problem-solving. I enjoy figuring out how individual elements work together, how a pattern repeats, and how color can completely change its feeling. Seeing those drawings eventually become fabric, wallpaper, home décor, or other products is especially rewarding.

I’m most proud of bringing together my background in graphic design with my love of illustration, drawing, and pattern. I think that combination gives my work a balance between thoughtful design and a more spontaneous, hand-drawn quality.

I’m always exploring new ideas and seeing where my work can go, but I want my patterns to feel thoughtfully made, have a sense of character, and bring a little joy to the things people live with every day.

So, before we go, how can our readers or others connect or collaborate with you? How can they support you?
People can support my work by following along on Instagram, visiting my website, Pinterest, and Spoonflower, purchasing my art or graphic T-shirts, or simply sharing my work with others.

I’m also open to collaborations, licensing opportunities, and connecting with brands or businesses interested in original artwork and surface patterns.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.susanrcastillo.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/susanrcastillo/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/susan.r.castillo.1
• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/susan-r-castillo/
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@susanrcastillo