Meet Michael Trujillo | Artist/Illustrator

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

Hi Michael, what is the most important factor behind your success?
For me one of the most important factors behind any “success” or big achievement I’ve had are the people standing by me through it – and having someone there. When I’m working on a new artwork, or a big project – or even trying to find that next big project – there’s always a close friend to steer me in the right direction. Even though most of the time “visually” I do what I want lol, but emotionally I often need someone to talk to, and get my head straight. It’s easy to get overwhelmed or too into my head about something. So having that outside voice to humble me or sympathize with my struggle has been a key factor in pushing me to reach my goals!

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
At this point in my life, my artwork has been closely related to my love for music. No matter what I’m working on I’ve always got music playing! Especially when I’m creating a portrait, music plays a big role into how I capture that emotion. And for me, I think that’s what people connect to most about my artwork – not just the subject matter, but being able to feel the emotion and intent behind it.

When looking at my collection of artwork in recent years it’s easy to see I am hugely influenced by Mariah Carey (but really, who isn’t though lol). Without going on a tangent, her lyrics and melodic arrangements are forever an inspiration to my creative process. Which inspired me to want to work in the music industry somehow through album cover art or merchandise….etc. Long story short, thanks to all the supporters on Instagram I was able to make that dream come true! I was able to gain enough attention and notoriety within that community (the “Lambily” as we call ourselves) to catch the eye of MC and her team, then before I know it I’m designing official merchandise! Through that experience though I learned the importance of having a good support behind you and not giving up! if it’s meant to be it will be – though we may not know when lol – but it will be!

Since then (which working with MC still remains my biggest professional accomplishment) I’ve had the pleasure to work with so many other great artists and collaborate with them to bring their own art to life (which is music). Following that experience I created single artwork for Stevie Mackie and his Christmas singles with JoJo and another with J.Lo.

I was able to work with Jordin Sparks on two album art projects – again with the help of Instagram as a platform! The first being a single, and the second creating the album art for her debut Christmas album! (titled “Cider & Hennessey”). It was such a fun experience being able to create the imagery and bring my all to make them bright and fun, and everything Christmas, just as the album itself does.

Another one of my favorite people I’ve worked with is Todrick Hall. He knows how to give a challenge lol, and his faith & trust in me to pull it off is something I will always treasure. Our projects consisted of both merchandise and a music single cover.

The challenge with doing this type of work is, there’s no “template”. There’s no “job application”, and for someone like me with no “connections” it’s almost impossible lol. However I just focused on my craft, created the artwork that I loved, and shared & built a community that I could grown in. That was the focus. Everything else just seemed to eventually fall into place (although I make it sound easier than it was lol). There still was lots of hard work to be done! And I am so thankful to all the supporters in my little corner who helped & watched me reach my goals!

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 go-to spot in the city (our outside) is the Phoenix Zoo! I’m an animal lover, and there’s no better place to go than there. They’ve re-done so much since I was a kid and they’re so transparent and active about conservation and safe keeping of our native animals & wildlife! The Desert Botanical Garden is also a must see! Such beautiful plants and gardens, it’s hard not to be inspired. If we’re talking food, ‘Hola Cabrito’ in South Mtn is the BEST for birria de chivo (or anything really lol) or if you want to have a nice night out with some good drinks, any Barrio Queen location is the spot. However as an AZ native you can’t go wrong with a Filibertos no matter what time of day or night it is lol.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
My biggest shout out at this point in my life/career is to one of my closest friends Franklin S. Aside from our personal friendship, career wise, I’m not sure I would have achieved most of the things I have recently – or at least not as soon! I often have lots of ideas of new artworks or people I want to work with – and openly talk about it. However Franklin is one of the few who simply say “do it”. There’s no fantasizing with me of “yeah that would be cool” or “I hope that happens for you” – nope. His simple response would be: “Do it, reach out to them…etc.”. Which is so simple I think overall people can over look that simple action and get caught in the “what if’s” or feel like it’s something too far out of reach. So get you a Franklin lol, who is blunt and to the point – but who can also keep that ego in check lol! And also to the #Lambily! I also would not have achieved one of my greatest accomplishments without them!

Website: https://www.trujilloillustration.com/

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