Meet Mark Martinez: Illustrator, Animator, Cartoonist

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

Hi Mark, what role has risk played in your life or career?
I think you just have to invest in yourself as much as you bet on yourself. To quote Michael Scott quoting Wayne Gretsky, “You miss 100% of the shots you don’t take.” Starting something, whether it’s a piece of art, writing a book, etc. is a good first step, but finishing it is payoff in itself since you did more than the people that did not. For me personally, I feel that it was a big risk to make a comic with little to no art experience, but I did pretty well with my first few forays. I was proud of the accomplishment, but knew I could do better and have been honing my craft and look forward to see how my next gamble pays off.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
I think the pandemic has really provided a means of change in thought for many. I feel like my art has changed drastically as well as my goals with it. I find myself being more considerate of things I had not been aware of prior, but I feel that is a result of just gaining a visual literacy and understanding. I think I’m most proud for going back to school to really learn how to make the art I want to make. I don’t think school is necessary to make art, but it helped me since I had no foundation prior. I am most excited about my next book that I’m working on called Sword and Shield that was written by girlfriend and fellow cartoonist, Kelly Deng.

I doodled a lot growing up, but I did not feel I had the artistic ability to make comics since it’s a visual medium. I started out writing comics with my friend Matt, but more ambitious projects were out of my reach because I didn’t have enough money to pay artists at the time. I opted to just draw the books myself and came out with Samuriachi (2017), Kaijulia (2018), and Devil Mask (2018). I had low expectations originally, but the response I got was great, as I was basically a newbie. I’m proud of those books just because it is a lot of work to draw a complete comic, but I knew there were a lot of ways I wanted to improve. I opted to take some art classes to improve and now I am wrapping up my 3rd year of art education and preparing to enter a Fine Arts Illustration and Animation program.

I think anyone can learn to draw, paint, sculpt. etc. I don’t think talent is some thing you’re born with, despite many people claiming otherwise. I feel it just takes perseverance and you’ll get better. What I do know about myself is that I’m not the best in a classroom setting, but I’ve managed to maintain things and have made friends along the way.

I think the biggest lessons I’ve learned along the way have been that it’s never too late to start, be flexible, and keep going.

What I want the world to know about my brand? I just wanna draw cool stuff.
About my story? If I can do it, you can do it.

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.
With this pandemic, I haven’t been out since March of last year and I’m looking forward to going out myself. Some places I enjoyed closed down due to it, which is unfortunate, like A Shop Called Quest or the Arclight, now. It’s a rough time, but I hope I can discover new places to recommend. I’d like to visit Wurstkuche in Downtown LA to have a beer with friends, Geoffrey’s Comics in Torrance to see what’s new, I’m looking forward to being able to hike again at Griffith Park, or just have a fun day at the beach.

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?
First off I need to credit my girlfriend, Kelly Deng. She has been supportive and encouraging throughout my artistic journey. As well as my father and my brother that have encouraged and supported me as well. I’d like to shout out the LA’s Comics Brain Club James, JP, Nick, Rosie, Jaz, Esther, Dave, and Nicole. My friends Ernesto and Zac. Finally, I’d like to shoutout the Gutter Boys and Gutter Gang for being cool as heck throughout this pandemic.

Website: markeldude.com

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

Twitter: https://twitter.com/MarkElDude

Image Credits
Art and books by Mark Martinez