Today we’d like to introduce you to Lidia Roque.
Lidia, can you briefly walk us through your story – how you started and how you got to where you are today.
I never actually thought about a career in the creative field, until college. I’ve done art all my life, but it was more of a hobby, something that I enjoyed doing my free time. Not until the end of my freshman year of college, I realized that art is something that I wanted to do majority of the time and switched majors. After completing my four years of college and doing internships, I was sort of pushed to do freelance because of some health and family issues. It was a struggle dealing with all of that, but freelance allowed me to work with my predicaments and surprisingly it went well. I was able to work with different people and companies, it opened a lot of doors and I just recently accepted a job at a marketing agency. Which brings us to right now and I’m excited to see where this chapter in my career brings and what kind of work, I’ll be producing. I’ll still be doing some freelance, but less at the moment.
We’re always bombarded by how great it is to pursue your passion, etc. – but we’ve spoken with enough people to know that it’s not always easy. Overall, would you say things have been easy for you?
It has not been a smooth road for me but I wouldn’t be the person I am today if it wasn’t for my struggles. I’m still growing, struggling and learning, but you learn to appreciate it later on in life after you dealt with it. A couple of months after graduating I became ill with some kidney issues and small benign tumor. Some pain and a lot of doctor appointments, which was the reason for freelance, because I wanted to work around my situation and I didn’t want to be a burden for a company. After dealing with that, a month later my mother was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis, so now I had to focus on her, help her out and take her to her doctor appointments and treatment. It’s been difficult dealing with these events, that I didn’t realize that I stopped taking care of myself mentally. Which is very important to me, because I struggle from anxiety from a very young age, which leads to some difficult months dealing with depression and anxiety, that I had to be medicated again with some horrible side effects. There was a moment I just stopped working and I was pushing people away, but I’m very thankful for the people that stayed around, helped me and checked up on me, because I wouldn’t be doing what I’m doing without their help and support. There’s always going to be challenges but, I have been fortunate to be surrounded by caring and loving people.
What do you do, what do you specialize in, what are you known for, etc. What are you most proud of? What sets you apart from others?
I specialize in graphic art, but I also do paintings and drawings. It’s good to be well rounded because it opened a lot of doors for me. I’ve worked with many different clients that I’m proud of because I’m just one person and to have the privilege to work and learn from these businesses has been incredible. I’ve done work for non-profits like Creatives Unite. businesses like State Tax Group and Southwest Spirits & Wines and even political work like Richard Fleming For Congress. I’m very proud of the clients I’ve been able to acquire on my own and the work I’ve been able to produce because I never imagine doing this.
So, what’s next? Any big plans?
Like I’ve mentioned, I never imagine doing this, so it’s crazy to picture what I’m going to do in the future. I kind of been going with the flow and working with what life gives me. But I would love to work in a big creative agency and gain some more experience and you never maybe turn my small freelancing into something bigger. At the moment I’m doing less freelance since I accepted a full-time graphic position.
Contact Info:
- Website: lidiaroque.com
- Email: roquelidia@yahoo.cm
- Instagram: lroque_art
Image Credit:
Lidia Roque
Suggest a story: VoyageDallas is built on recommendations from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you or someone you know deserves recognition please let us know here.
