Today we’d like to introduce you to Roberto Morales.
Hi Roberto, thanks for joining us today. We’d love for you to start by introducing yourself. I was a knucklehead kid who grew up in East Dallas, raised by my dad, who came from Mexico as a teenager. I was the oldest, wisest, and most handsome of 3 brothers. My role models were my hard-working dad and the ninja turtles…I mean they knew how to do flips ya know. Being a shy kid probably led me to art, I found that I could jot down ideas clearer in a cartoon than a whole paragraph or me speaking in fragments. Like this. When I wasn’t playing Streetfighter alongside East Dallas goons at the smoke-filled, sticky-floored convenience store down the street I was drawing Looney Toons and all kinds of characters from imagination. I never did get to use that quarter on a string they gave me, probably for the best. Anyways, having never seen anyone from my family even graduate from high school I was completely lost after high school and decided to take some classes at a Dallas Community College, that was a good place to start I thought. After a couple years of belly rubbing and butt scratching, I still didn’t get it. I knew I wanted to create things but didn’t know which avenue to take.
Alas, I decided that going to the Art institute was the next big step in my career as a 2d animator. But wait, they don’t focus on 2d animation? wait… but I already signed up for all the classes, all the school loans? Wait, advisors get a commission for enrolling young doughy uncooked minds to this school? You mean to tell me that all my wildest dreams won’t be coming true? I decided to leave a few terms away from my degree, I didn’t like the direction I was going. I hung up my dream of arting for a good while, worked regular jobs for a bit, probably sold some of your grandma’s toaster insurance, and ruined people ACs, blaming the previous no-good AC guy who worked on it.
I kept toying with the idea of doing illustration work full time but never fully committed to it until right before Covid, or as my grandma calls it Kobi. Luckily, I was able to get a couple of work contracts and commissions through that time. Even, getting to illustrate my first published Children’s book, which I learned a lot through the process. Never had I been so caffeinated in my life. It is a constant grind to freelance and I have to constantly remind myself that my work is worth it while juggling health and out-of-your-control situations. I feel that I’m in a bit of a groove right now and that there is lots of good things on the horizon.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall, and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
I wish I could say the road has been peanut butter smooth but it’s a constant hustle of getting clients, luckily social media helps with some of these problems. I also constantly have to remind myself that my ideas are worth being seen and If I just make the concepts it’s already worth lots…lots of squishy fluffy good stuff that we all need if only I can use that stuff instead of my debit card.
Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
I generally try to evoke good feelings through my art, even If some of it is commercial. A joke in the artwork or something that will make people smile. I sometimes add simple animations to my illustrations to give just a bit more life to them. I’ll comment on current events with a funny drawing or bring up something nostalgic. Lately, I’ve been working on a tablet from sketch to finished drawing it saves a lot of production time and allows me to change things quickly. My work is constantly evolving and I like making things for people that they’re going to love, giving a unique perspective or idea. I’m proud of everything I’ve made even If I see things that I would do differently now. I am most proud of the work I put in to get rid of my shin splints and back pain (parkour parkour), other than that, illustrating a whole book was a great accomplishment. Oh, and defeating the cinnamon challenge, ya remember that? Yea zero coughs.
We’re always looking for the lessons that can be learned in any situation, including tragic ones like the Covid-19 crisis. Are there any lessons you’ve learned that you can share?
Covid 19 really showed me the importance of community and how necessary it is to support your local businesses and fellow artist. Everyone can thrive if you pour lots of care and time into your craft. People will see that you care enough so they care enough to consume it. Also, sanitizer is cool, but I learned that if you don’t moisturize your hands enough, they turn into stucco, have you ever high-fived stucco?
Contact Info:
- Instagram: instagram.com/robdraws
