Meet Joel Rivas | Sci-Fi, Comic, Chicano Cartoonist.

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

Hi Joel, what is the most important factor behind your success?
Artistically speaking, having a consistent style-and sticking with it is key: my audience knows what to expect. While my skills continue to progress and evolve, my style becomes more defined and refined. However, my overall style is consistent. The other thing that I can say that helps is that I have my niche. Well, in my case, my niches (plural). I can dabble in a variety of niches while at the same time, not lose my identity. This is key.

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
I am a cartoonist. I draw comic book style art. My scope reaches from whimsical to sobering social commentary. I can switch from fan-art to corporate to editorial cartoons with ease. I have done officially licensed comic hero work for a major trading card company. I have done work for committees who host major sports events. I have done work for school districts, dignitaries, and for comic book fans. I have done work for local indie comic book publishers. I have an editorial cartoon that even went viral once. My style is known for the attention to detail that apply to it. I am a work in progress. I am clawing and scratching my way through this-I will reach my professional goals-one scribble at a time. One thing that I have learned is to continually produce work. Keep putting that body of work out there. The more that you put out there, the more that you have to show. The deeper your story will be. The harder you will be to ignore. My brand is that I am a professional. While I usually work with traditional means (ie: pens, paper, markers), My work rivals that of my digital working colleagues. I can say, that I am proud to say that this is my brand.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
My week long itinerary for a visiting friend? Of course, we need to eat. I am mostly a hole-in-the-wall fan. My friend needs to visit Hot Daisy’s pizza on Roosevelt Row. Simple pizzas with an incredible flavor! Burgers? I would have to run around and find out where Randizzle’s Burgers food truck is parked! There was a recent food truck festival in Goodyear had a line that was 4 hours+ deep! Four hours deep! There is a reason for it-yes, his burgers are worth it! Tacos? I have been visiting Taqueria El Fundador off of 33rd Ave & Van Buren. I have been visiting this neighborhood staple since the mid 80s. Unbeatable flavor-I have tried others, but I keep coming back. These are my kings of tacos! As far as locations to visit-The Heard Museum is a state treasure. The Phoenix Art Museum of course. There’s the funky art culture of Roosevelt Row. Old Town Scottsdale has that cool vibe too, Mill Ave is always full of life. Stepping out of town, I am a fan of having out-of-towners see the beauty of Sedona and the cool vibe of Flagstaff.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
There are a lot of people and groups to think of. There are a lot of people who have help me along the way-it;s hard to highlight just one person. My old high school friend, Melvin Lambert, reminded me that my artistic talent was valuable. Scott Shehi at Tribe Comics published my work. When my friend, Mark Larracas had his comic & toy shop-he promoted my work. My elementary school friend, Brandy Castillo brought my work to a new audience. My social media followers have been a great source of opportunities and work. Kat’s Artist Tree (Goodyear, AZ) believed in me so much that they even gave me a teaching platform for 4 years. Of course my family and friends who have pushed me along the way. My daughter, Genesis has worked hard to promote my art with her contacts! There are a lot of people who I am leaving out-this is I am sure of. Each one of you who believed in me-you have inspired me. Each one of you have been a part of my story, Sometimes, you need people to point out that you have something of value. They need to wake you up and make you realize that it’s real. To all of you, I say thank you. I am appreciative and grateful to you.

Instagram: @jrivaselcapitan

Image Credits
All artwork: Joel Rivas All Photos: Joel Rivas