We had the good fortune of connecting with Darryl Cokes II and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Darryl, what role has risk played in your life or career?
I believe that taking a risk is essential in anything we do. I think we can easily get caught in our own minds and make up a reason why we can’t do something or try something new because of the fear of things going horribly wrong. I’ve done that a lot in my life and only recently have I really started breaking that shell over the past few years.

When I think about my comic book series that I’ve been doing, I do it for the sole purpose of telling a story that I really want to create. I feel that if it is something others gravitate to, that is a huge bonus in of itself! I think where that risk takes its form was in its initial stages of creating my comic where I found myself worrying about if it would sell, or if it will ever “make it”. But the one thing that I have always believed is that if we as artists are able to make even just a singular person feel some kind of emotion with a character, background, or overall story, that is success!

I would say another big risk I took was moving across the country from upstate NY to Los Angeles CA. At the time I had a full time job working at a game studio but I felt that if I truly wanted to grow not just as an artist but as a person, connect as well as be around creatives, I needed to go someplace that had that! I didn’t do it alone of course, two great friends that moved with me. We all went to the same college and work together at our own indie animation studio called Imaginex Animation Studios. We all did a similar thing in leaving our comfort zone and taking the risk and following a dream, and so far, I’d say we’re doing pretty good!

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
I think I am most proud of my growth as an artist. I am always looking for ways to improve my drawing skill and that comes with a lot of self reflection and hard questions on what it is that I can do better? I think that’s one of the beautiful things about the creative process is discovering the new, and trying different things out until I discover that thing that really clicks for me.

Where I’m at now has certainly been far from easy haha. I think when I think back to when I first started out, by the time I got to college, I was definitely the weakest drawer in my mind. There were a lot of long days and nights contemplating whether or not I was cut out to do what I really wanted because of that lack of skill. I always looked to my peers as inspiration for what I could achieve if I stuck with it, asked questions, and put those answers to practice day in and day out. Even professionally one thing that I would say is that networking plays a big part in the opportunities we can obtain. But I’d say less in the formal sense and more of a natural occurrence. Putting yourself out there is hard! I’m someone who is pretty introverted, and can think of a million reasons why I shouldn’t go to an event, often times using freelance or personal projects as an excuse. But, putting yourself out there is also a part of that growing process!

What I’d want the world to take away from my story is that, you can achieve the goal you want if your willing to put the time into it.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
Id say one of my favorite spots is a hiking trail up in Topenga Park. There is an amazing overlook at the end of the trail that has a graffiti platform where you can see the valley, the coast line, downtown LA, and series of beautiful mountains! It’s one of my favorite places to have peace of mind, away from everything. I’d also say a trip to one of the beaches in Malibu is also a great experience, jus tot be in the hot weather by the cold water, and if you have a dog, they can come too! Disneyland is a place to go to always as well. Food wise I’d say a place I like to get every now and then is a smash burger from a place called Chris N Eddy’s.

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
It’s tough to narrow down where I’m at currently to just a few people. If I’m being honest, I think that everyone in my family and my closest friends deserve the utmost shoutouts as they have all played a role to some extent. But it if had to choose first I’d say my family! When I was young, I was constantly exposed to the arts, more on the music side of things as plenty of my family members would perform at festivals, amusement parks, even singing the national anthem before games. At that age I saw just how much an art form can have an impact, and once I picked up my pencil and started doodling, I was met with nothing but encouragement!

Website: https://www.artstation.com/drdrain30

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

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/darryl-cokes-ii-40181b13b/

Facebook: Darryl Cokes II

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@darryldraws2066

Other: https://www.blurb.com/b/11622148-air-boards-3

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