Los Dos Mujeres de las Islas

I am proud to say that there are two comic properties that star Puerto Rican's that are making noise. One is La Borinquena and the other is my series, "A Reason to Smile!" I've been able to cultivate a decent little following due to my series starring this little Puerto Rican girl named Luiza Brillante, but I aspire to have her be as culturally relevant as Marisol Rios de la Luz.

Edgardo Miranda Rodriguez created her as a comic representation for the Puerto Rican Parade and as a comic book character named La Borinquena. She has the powers to help people due to her connection to Atabey, the creation mother of Boriken, Puerto Rico's original name, and goes back and forth to from PR to NYC to help people on both island. Sadly, I do not have as close of a connection to Puerto Rico, but my roots there have inspired my character, my series and being that I am from NYC, I aspire to make her relevant to this island's inhabitants. Through the stories I tell here, I hope to one day create stories where Luiza tries to see why Puerto Rico is important to her, in more than name. 

I've created this image to show solidarity with my Boriqua brother and his creation, and show others that we can all coexist in the same market. I decided that since both ladies have connections to Manhattan and Puerto Rico, joining them in a setting that shows both, showcasing my new animated cell style as well,  would be a great way to show some love and spread the word about both of our creations. The more people see us doing the same things they do in their daily lives, the more they may come to understand us and see us as they see themselves.

If you'd like to order any of my books, you may email me at thelearningcurv@gmail.com, go to www.etsy.com/shop/thelearningcurv or click here, and https://www.la-borinquena.com/#Store, or click here to buy La Borinquena!

Archie and the Gang Meets Luiza's Crew

I was given the opportunity at Baltimore Comic Con to be a part of their Year Book which this year focused on Archie and the properties associated with it. I was able to include my characters in the mix as well and thought it'd be perfect to document a passing of the torch of sorts of the High School kids to the Elementary School kids.  What better way to have them in the same scene than to have them going to a concert to see Josey and the Pussy Cats?!

I hope you enjoy=]

Remember, "A Reason to Smile!" volume two is available at Comixology and Amazon, check the links below to get your copy today! You can also email me at thelearningcurv@gmail.com to get a signed copy as well!

Comixology ($5 digital copies):

A Reason to Smile vol.1

https://www.comixology.com/A-Reason-to-Smile-Vol-1/digital-comic/260674

A Reason to Smile vol.2

https://www.comixology.com/A-Reason-to-Smile-Vol-2/digital-comic/465971

Amazon ($20 Hardcover copies)

A Reason to Smile vol.1

https://www.amazon.com/Reason-Smile-Javier-Cruz-Winnik/dp/0990818209

A Reason to Smile vol.2

https://www.amazon.com/Reason-Smile-Javier-Cruz-Winnik/dp/099081825X/ref=sr_1_1_twi_har_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1493847702&sr=1-1&keywords=a+reason+to+smile+vol.2

Chupacabra

Presents:

Luiza Vs. the Chupacabra!

"Luiza Brillante loves to help people using her creativity and imagination.

Sometimes, her imagination gets away from her and she finds herself 

immersed in a new adventure or an tunexpected conundrum! Hearing 

stories about Puerto Rico and the Chupacabra caused Luiza to daydream

about hunting the monster that instills fear in human and animal alike! 

Though a machete might not be enough, Luiza never shys away from 

a challenge!"

This illustration was inspired by my graphic novel series "A Reason to Smile!" in which a little Puerto Rican girl from New York City always tries to find the bright side of life. I am bringing the series to Emerald City Comic Con and though this image did not get published in their Monsters and Dames book, I am proud to have made a illustration that I believe was good enough to be within it. 

Chupacabra's were first made aware to me in 1996 when I visited San Sebastian, Puerto Rico to meet mi Abuelo's hermano. The people in the neighborhood began speaking to me about how many locals were fearful of being outside at night because of this creature they were calling the Chupacabra, the goat sucker. It was said that many of the farmers were finding their livestock bled dry while having what appeared to be two puncture wounds on their necks. I always found the story to be an interesting piece of modern folklore but within the next year, I began to hear similar stories from other countries in South American and the Caribbean. We now have a modern day Bigfoot or Lockness Monster!

It was this story that inspired me to create an illustration where Luiza saves the day and stops the dreaded monster of La Isla Borinquen from further harming the animals of the island. Monsters and Dames obviously focuses on women and monsters, but Luiza will eventually be a woman, 

so... why not?

If you'd like to check out the slice of life story of Luiza Brillante, check out these links:

Volume 1: http://www.thecurv.com/2014/12/a-reason-to-smile-previews-and-orders.html

Volume 2: http://www.thecurv.com/2016/10/a-reason-to-smile-volume-2-is-here.html

and if you'd like your very own copy, email me at 

thelearningcurv@gmail.com 

and we'll get you your very own signed copy!

"A Reason to Smile!" Volume 2 is here!

Front and Back Cover of "A Reason to Smile!" Volume 2

"A Reason to Smile!" Vol.2 is a continuation of the journey of Luiza Brillante as she tries to enjoy the place of her birth, New York City! In Volume 1, Luiza helped other people through their adversities, but Volume 2 shows what happens when Luiza has to deal with her own adversities. 

Luiza is a walking silver lining, always searching for the bright side out of every encounter she finds herself in. The weekend is here so she already has a reason to smile, but now she gets to go downtown to hang out with her friends who live in her fathers old neighborhood. There's only one problem, she has to get there first! Check out the preview and email me at thelearningcurv@gmail.com to have your own copy sent to you or your loved ones!

Head to http://www.thecurv.com/2014/12/a-reason-to-smile-previews-and-orders.html for a preview of Volume 1!

T-shirts

I have entered into a partnership with Threadless.com to have my own t-shirt shop online!

Head to http://thecurv.threadless.com and you can find all "A Reason to Smile!" t-shirts as well my art for you to wear! If you'd like a specific piece of my art as a shirt, hoodie, or onesie, email me at thelearningcurv@gmail.com and we'll make that happen!

Til then, here are some designs you'll find at the shop!

Yuen's shirt from "A Reason to Smile Vol.2

 

 

 

2015, a year in review

2015 was a very interesting year for me. On the heels of selling my very first book, "A Reason to Smile!", I began work on volume 2 in order to keep the momentum going. My second kickstarter was successful in May of 2015 and I began writing and illustrating the book in June.

In that time, I traveled out of the continental US for my very first comic con in Puerto Rico! It was one of my most successful shows to date and showed me more of what fans were gravitating towards with my work. I began more horizontal layouts which presented a fun challenge and I am now able to display more of my work at the shows.

Some milestones I enjoyed was selling my first 500 copies of "A Reason to Smile!" vol.1 within 6 months. I was blessed with being a part of the Baltimore Comic Con Yearbook, having my art (the mouse and squirrel fighting in a tree) as the very first image you see when you open the book. Along with that, I saw an increase in comic con fans wanting to get colored art from me more than ever! I do love drawing at comic cons.

Please enjoy the work you see below, and if you'd like your very own custom artwork, feel free to email me at thelearningcurv@gmail.com. You can also see my artwork and progress on Instagram under the same username as my email. As of now, the pencil stage for Volume 2 is complete and I will be inking and coloring the book today! Please stay tuned as I will be updating you all with more art as it comes in! 

...and by the way, I have a LOT of art to color that I've yet to be able to work on because of my book... those fanarts will be done in 2016 for sure!