Artists’ Upbringing
October 29, 2019
Artists come and go, work, take breaks, and are unique in their own ways but one thing they all have in common is a push factor at the start of their careers. This year, while at the Los Angeles Comic-Con, a few artists shared their stories.
A self-acclaimed introvert by nature and self-taught artist of all styles, Ryan Eduad joined the 2019 Comic-Con to share his work.
When asked what inspired him to begin creating pieces, Eduad said, “As a child, I’ve always had a fascination of drawings from cartoons and comics,” he continued. “Watching a ton of cartoons and reading comics were just part of my grade school routine and I would often try to draw my favorite characters on any piece of paper I could get my hands on.”
Though drawing is important to him, it is not something he is planning to make a career out of, even after taking creative breaks.
“As wonderful as it sounds to pursue your dreams, it’s especially important to provide for family. I work a full-time job and we live comfortably.” Eduad explained. “Art just acts as a pastime, a hobby and form of therapy.”
Every artist starts off in different ways, all it took for Melissa King was a kind lady at an airport.
“It all started when I was four years old,” she began. “My dad took me to work [at Hill Airport space] and there was this lady there and she drew me a pegasus. Though it was for fun, it looked really good and got me trying to try and draw the same thing like her or better. Since then, I just can’t stop drawing.”
Hundreds of drawings and compliments later, her husband came up with the idea of joining comic con’s Artist Alley because he thought it would be the easiest way to gain more exposure than other places.
King told him, “No, I’m not good, I’m not that great, not con worthy.” So, instead of listening to her and letting it go, he went online and helped sign her up for a convention.
This brought her confidence, stature within the art community, and of course, money. To make a dream she thought would never become a reality come true, meant the world to her, and she says it can to you too. Anything you set your mind to you can do, always have an open mind, and draw on!
This year, Sarah black was at Comic-Con to sell her art and display it for everyone to see.
According to Alma Palmer, a good artist is, “someone who creates something who allows another person to feel or experience something deep or unexpected.”
As the illustrator of the coloring book series Girls with Curls where Black showcases females of more than one ethnicity and like the title says, girls with curls. Taking her time drawing in each and every curl, she is willing to put in that extra effort so that someone out there with hair much like hers could pick up a book where a character inside looks like them.
Stating that she is creating a Webtoon comic with female heroes, witches, and demons as the characters, she hopes to thrill people, keeping them on their toes every step of the way.
Even if she can not change everyone’s perspectives, bringing a single person into an alternate reality through one of her comics will please her since she would have accomplished her mission of representing all in her work.
At only twelve years old, aspiring artist, Emilio Gallardo plans to take his sketches from where they are now, to everywhere around the world.
“I really wish I knew how it all happened,” he giggled. “All I know is that when I was four I just grabbed a pencil, pen, or sharpie and just begin doodling.”
Both driven and easily encouraged, Gallardo tells about his journey to Comic-Con.
Drawing his favorite TV characters on the daily, he stepped back to see what else he could do, taking a break. That is when he began getting serious, drawing full-body sketches around the age of nine and ten.
During this time, he joined a convention in Fresno.
“Sign up for a booth, makes prints, make copies, and post your drawings for exposure and possible fans who will enjoy your work,” convention artist from Fresno suggested.
A little push goes a long way, he proves with his story. If it were not for simple compliments and encouragement, he would not have pursued his dreams of drawing as a career.
Sharing a love for art with others, Albert Nguyen likes to, “be nerdy and make money while doing it.”
He says it all started when he and his friends went to art school together. He knew he loved art but did not know where it could take him.
“My friends were all exhibiting at Comic-Cons and I wanted to get in on the fun. I thought a lot about what kind of unique voice I could bring that would let me stand out,” Nguyen stated, “I’ve always been interested in both history and pop culture so it made sense to bring them together.”
Creating art and mixing comic books and Star Wars with historical images allows him to stand out. Though it may sound like a simple task, he explains that a lot of thought is put into it whether it is seeing if it makes sense, looks cool, would be interesting, or researching if something similar has been made.
“Comics are a way to show off all your strengths and weaknesses,” Nguyen claimed after saying each artist needs a break ever so often. “To draw so many things, know your perspective, your anatomy, draw from all angles, work on storytelling, and pacing, it’s so much work, but there’s nowhere to hide!”
All artists whether successful or barely starting have one thing in common, they all start somewhere; the only difference between them is how they start and their art style.
(Each artist does also sell their pieces individually and you can find them on Instagram, webtoons, or contact them through Gmail through the hyperlink in their names.)
