Meet Michael Vasquez | Digital Illustration & Artist

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

Hi Michael, what do you attribute your success to?
I believe the most important factor behind the success of my business and brand is my integration and commitment to expression of my culture and education of said culture. My business revolves around creating artwork of my culture of Native American and Mexican. So not only am I creating artwork of my culture but also educating people about my culture. For me, I never really learned about my own culture growing up, and so I have taught myself and learned from other people and artists. And I think that’s something that a lot of people can relate to.

I also create and sell apparel, patches, stickers, enamel pins and prints of my artwork. I think this is a important factor behind my success because it gives people a way to express their culture; a culture that is not well represented in this types of products.

Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.
I have been working and creating my artwork and business for six years. I am a 28-year-old graphic designer and digital illustrator in Fresno, CA. I graduated with a BFA in graphic design illustration and have been working on my artwork and business ever since. My artwork is centered around Mesoamerican and Aztec cultures. I create and sell my artwork and offer my services as a graphic designer. I also sell enamel pins, embroidered patches, stickers, and apparel. It took work to get where I am professionally now. I have had and continue to have a lot of sleepless nights with creating my artwork and working on my business. But I love everything I do because I am passionate about it. I am happy that I can create artwork that people love and educate people simultaneously.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
In Fresno, I would take them to the tower district, a walkable little section of our town with a great selection of restaurants and food. The nightlife in the tower district is a great time as well!

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
The shoutout that I always like to give is to Dulce Upfront; which is an organization that gave me one of my first gallery showings where I got to feature my artwork. They also hosted small business markets which gave me the opportunity to sell my artwork and network with other small business in the area.

They can be found on Instagram @dulceupfront

Website: https://www.michaelvasquezillustration.com/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/izelillustrations/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/izel_art

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/IzelStudios