We had the good fortune of connecting with Danica Novgorodoff and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Danica, how has your perspective on work-life balance evolved over time?
I’ve always been very self-determined, as an artist. So much of the time, no one is going to ask you to make the things you want to make, so you have to very deliberately dedicate time to your creative practice.

Balance is something I think about all the time. I don’t think there is such a thing as a perfect balance—or if there is, I haven’t found it. It’s always in flux—sometimes I’m spending a lot of time with my family, but I’m not making enough art or money. Other times, I’m making a lot of art, but I’m not spending enough time with my family or earning enough money. It’s a constant process of making decisions and shifting priorities, day to day and month to month.

My work/life balance changed dramatically after having children. I have two daughters, now 4 and 6 years old. I’ve had to become much more intentional about how I spend my time and which projects I pursue, because the increased amount of housework and caretaking has greatly circumscribed my work time. I try to be more efficient, and only choose to work on projects that are truly important to me.

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
I started making graphic novels in my early 20s, because I’ve always been interested in visual storytelling. I worked for a publisher in New York for a few years and then struck out on my own as a freelance graphic designer, illustrator, writer, and artist, and have been doing that for the past 15 years now. Occasionally it feels like the pieces of my career are falling into place, but so much of the time I’m constantly asking myself, “What am I doing? What is my purpose? What should I be making?”

Some of the projects I’ve been most proud of are:

A children’s book I wrote and illustrated called Alexander von Humboldt: Explorer, Naturalist, & Environmental Pioneer. It’s a picture book biography of a fascinating scientist and explorer who traveled to South America from Europe in 1799 and truly changed the way we see nature as interconnected systems.

Long Way Down, a graphic novel adapted from Jason Reynolds’ novel in verse by the same name. Reynolds is a great inspiration and genius of a writer so it was an honor to work with his text. In 2022, this graphic novel won the Yoto Kate Greenaway award, the UK’s most prestigious award for illustration in young people’s literature.

The Simple Art of Rice is a cookbook I illustrated and co-wrote with JJ Johnson, a chef from Harlem, NYC. It made the New York Times Best Cookbooks of 2023 list.

As you can see, I’ve never been too attached to doing one thing and sticking with it. There is no one static vision of success, or a moment when one has attained it. I just want to keep making art, getting better at it, learning, and collaborating with wonderful people.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
I’d like to dedicate my shoutout to Jonathan Farmer, my partner, for always encouraging me to make art and do things that “bring me joy.”

Website: https://danicanovgorodoff.com/

Instagram: @novgorodoff

Facebook: @novgorodoff

Image Credits
Jonathan Farmer, Heather Sheehan

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