Today we’d like to introduce you to Mirelys Colón.
Alright, thank you for sharing your story and insight with our readers. To kick things off, how did you get started?
I started like most – drawing the cartoon characters I saw on tv. In middle school, I had an amazing art teacher and an English honors teacher who would encourage me to pursue art. I got into Manga and comics around that time. That’s when I realized what I wanted to do – I wanted to tell stories about my worlds and characters, and making comics was the best way to do that. It was the perfect combination of writing and drawing. I wrote many short stories in middle school, one of which would become my current passion project, a graphic novel. I continued pursuing art throughout high school and community college. When I went to university, I learned more about myself as an artist and what made me unique. I learned to embrace who I was – a queer Puerto Rican woman and let my experiences and culture express themselves in my work. I started incorporating important things – like body positivity, lgbtqia+ representation, and my culture. The characters from my graphic novel project drastically changed as well. I no longer wanted to tell a story but to tell a story about people who were just like me and struggled with similar things. Today, I’ve since graduated from university with a BFA and am currently working as a freelance illustrator and comic artist. I work with all kinds of clients on different kinds of projects, from plush toy designs to covers for books. I work on my graphic novel, among other comic projects, in my free time. It’s my dream to finish my graphic novel project someday.
You wouldn’t say it’s been obstacle-free, but so far would you say the journey has been smooth?
I’d say pretty rough and not smooth in the slightest! There were a lot of times when I doubted myself and considered changing careers. So many times, I thought to myself, “What am I doing?” I eventually had to make peace with the fact that my chosen route is very different from your traditional career path and probably one of the most difficult. There are no guides or straight paths to success with freelance. There are a lot of unknowns, uncertainties, and things out of my control. Despite all that, I am still determined to find my way to get to where I want to be because I am sure this is what I want to do.
Thanks – so, what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
For those who might not be familiar with my work – I like making narrative-driven, character-focused illustrations incorporating body positivity, lgbtqia+ representation, and Puerto Rican culture. I primarily work digitally for its convenience, but I enjoy using traditional mediums such as watercolor/gouache whenever I get a chance. What sets my work apart from others is my attention to detail, diverse and expressive characters, as well as my bright and colorful Vejigante masks that make appearances in my work. I’m currently focused on making short-form comics and exploring a new illustration style. I’d also like to attend more local art markets and events this year!
Is there anything else you’d like to share with our readers?
Thanks for taking time to look at my work! I’m always open to questions, so feel free to get in touch or stop by and say hi if you ever see me out in the wild at an event!
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.elysdraws.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/elysdraws/
- Other: linktr.ee/elysdraws
Image Credits
Mirelys Colón
