We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Angel Alvarez. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Angel below.

Angel, thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today When did you first know you wanted to pursue a creative/artistic path professionally?

From my earliest memories, I’ve always identified as an artist. As a child, my dream was to become a Disney animator, and later, a comic strip cartoonist. In high school, I attended Design and Architecture Senior High, a specialized art magnet school in South Florida. Upon graduating, my desire to attend art school lingered, yet fear and self-doubt held me back. Instead, I found myself at Florida International University pursuing an undergraduate degree. The fine art program there had a strong focus on modern abstract art—an approach that did not interest me. Ultimately, I chose a more conventional path, and pursued a degree in nutrition. I worked in the medical and health industry for ten years, all the while continuing to draw and develop my artistic skills. Despite my success in the nutrition field, the call to become an artist persisted, and my dissatisfaction with my career choice grew. I yearned to be authentic to myself and rectify what I perceived as a misstep in my professional trajectory.
Driven by this longing, I sought a fresh start and secured admission into the prestigious MFA in Illustration program at the University of Hartford. This transformative experience introduced me to inspiring professors and a supportive community of peers. Immersed in the world of illustration, it solidified my passion for storytelling as an artist.
From that pivotal moment, I committed myself to pursuing this path professionally. The University of Hartford not only honed my artistic skills but also helped me create a body of work as a visual storyteller. Today, as I reflect on my journey, I am grateful for the opportunity to align my career with my true passion and embark on a fulfilling artistic path.

As always, we appreciate you sharing your insights and we’ve got a few more questions for you, but before we get to all of that can you take a minute to introduce yourself and give our readers some of your back background and context?

After earning my MFA, I dedicated five years to teaching Digital Art and Animation at North Broward Preparatory School—working with young artists was an experience I found immensely gratifying. However, in 2001, the onset of the pandemic forced me to shift to freelancing full time, since my three kids had to attend virtual school. Ultimately this proved to be a blessing and allowed me to thrive as a freelancer. Throughout this journey, my professional focus and brand have predominantly centered on the vibrant world of children’s content. Within the children’s education industry, I worked as an animator for Clarendon Education and the Learn Bright Youtube Channel, contributing with engaging animated and illustrated content for their video and print platforms. Additionally, my portfolio includes several illustrated children’s books, among them “Alphabet Amigos,” a project for which I was the author and illustrator.I’ve also illustrated children’s educational products for the Spark Genius Company and numerous coloring and activity books, reflecting my commitment to the educational landscape.
I have a passion for teaching, so I’ve spent several years teaching children and adults how to draw cartoon characters online and in live workshops, through my Cartoon Drawing Studio Brand. This year, I also launched Kids Learn Central youtube channel, that teaches children a variety of educational topics through music and fun animated videos. The channel has been an instant success in a short period of time.
Central to my illustration work is an emphasis on characters and storytelling. I derive immense satisfaction from bringing stories to life visually and consistently strive to infuse each project with this narrative focus. My artistic inclinations gravitate towards characters that weave visual narratives of adventure, friendship, whimsy, and humor. This passion fuels my dedication to creating captivating and meaningful illustrations for the diverse and imaginative realm of children’s content.

Is there a particular goal or mission driving your creative journey?

As both an animator and illustrator, my creative journey has often involved bringing to life the visions of various clients through diverse projects. While I contribute my own creative touch to these endeavors, the ultimate goal has been to execute others’ visions. Naturally, many artists yearn for greater creative autonomy. Therefore, I’ve shifted my goal over the past year and my focus has shifted towards cultivating a new body of work, driven by the aspiration to paint and express my own vision. To enhance my skills, I actively sought training in traditional oil painting techniques at the Miami International Fine Arts Academy. Now, armed with these traditional method and skills, I am able to execute artistic vision more authentically. Recently, I had the opportunity to participate in my first juried art show, where I was fortunate to secure first place in the painting category. My oil paintings, characterized by fantasy art, prominently feature children’s characters and themes, marking a significant stride toward realizing and showcasing my personal artistic identity.

Can you tell us about a time you’ve had to pivot?

I find myself currently navigating a pivot as I attempt to transition into the realm of fine art.

Throughout my artistic evolution, I have consistently drawn inspiration from the creations of Golden Age Illustrators like Norman Rockwell and J.C. Lyendecker. Their ability to create expressive characters and weave compelling visual narratives has been a guiding force in my creative pursuits. Among contemporary influences, the work of Scott Gustafson has left a huge mark on my artistic sensibilities, and I have avidly followed and admired his work for years.
In the present moment, my focus is dedicated to the development of a fresh and distinctive body of work. This endeavor involves seamlessly integrating traditional oil painting techniques with my unique characters and narratives. The ultimate goal is to forge a creative expression that is authentically mine while simultaneously exploring its potential for commercial viability.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.angelmalvarez.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/angelmalvarezart/?hl=en
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/angel.alvarez.10048379/
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/angelalvarezrd/
• Youtube: https://www.kidslearncentral.com
• Other: https://www.youtube.com/c/cartoondrawingstudio
• http://www.cartoondrawingstudio.com/