FunnyZen Studio- Design and Apparel Brand

 

Well I'm happy to announce that I've taken my artwork and created FunnyZen Studio- Brand Etsy shop. The shop will feature themes of humor, tranquility, peace and kindness. These are themes I frequently pursue in my illustration work. I want to use this opportunity to spread smiles and love with the brand. So laugh in peace my friends. 

Angel M. Alvarez Illustration- Portfolio Reel 2020

             "I am a product of my own unique combination of influences throughout my life. The work that resonates with me as an artist is my fuel, and it is important to surround myself with this inspiration. We can only produce work to the level of quality that we have observed. Our mentors are the artists that we admire, and they left lessons for us in the work they produced. As artists, we must be lifelong learners, continuously evolving and searching for knowledge and inspiration in the world. " - Angel M. Alvarez- Excerpt from my MFA thesis. 

 

Alphabet Amigos Dual Language ABC Picture Book

Alphabet Amigos- Dual Language Children's Book Early Childhood Education. 

              I'm so happy to announce that after years of working and refining this book it's finally being published Fall 2020 by Vinal Publishing Inc. I was inspired to create this book for my son, who grew up speaking two languages.  The book is unique in that, not only is it bilingual, but all the words start with the same letter in both english and spanish. This is a great book for bilingual children and their families. It's also a great way to introduce the spanish language to kids. I tried to showcases the similarities between the two languages.

The book is about Armadillo the artist and his animal friends. All the characters in the book have interesting personalities and adventures. The book highlights all the words that start with the same letter in both languages.

The book can be purchased HERE with the official release being November 21, 2020.

Alphabet Amigos by Angel M. Alvarez. Dual Language Children's Book (English and Spanish) Ages 3-5

Angel M Alvarez Illustration Featured in The Illustrators Journal

     I was recently featured in The Illustrators Journal, which is pretty cool! A big thanks to Lon Levin for making this happen.  Lon approached me about doing the interview a while back and I was honored to be included. Below is the cover and some of the spreads from the article. Check out the illustrators journal for some great interviews with both established and emerging illustrators. In the article I give a shout out to North Broward Preparatory School where I teach, my friends at the De Vita Academy of Art, and my alma mater University of Hartford MFA Illustration Program.

Angel M. Alvarez Illustration- The Illustrators Journal Spread 1 

Angel M. Alvarez Illustration- The Illustrators Journal Spread 2

         Every year the Florida Chapter of SCBWI  host the rising kite illustration competition for Florida illustrators. This years prompt was "Help is on the way" I explored various options in my sketchbook and finally settled on this thumbnail. My idea was a bunch of animal firefighters heading toward a fire in the city. I pictured them going down these rolling hills with the city in the background. My favorite part of the idea was having this huge giraffe sticking out of the top of the firetruck.

Angel M Alvarez illustration. thumbnail 

After researching all components of this illustration and drawing all the characters, this is the image I came up with.

Angel M. Alvarez- pencil drawing rising kite 2020

Finally at this point, I just had to paint the image. I'm happy that I attended SCBWI Florida again. It's a very supportive and positive environment. This illustration ended up getting second place in the competition and I'm pretty happy with how it turned out. 

Angel M Alvarez- SCBWI illustration - second place rising kite 2020