I always thought of myself as…
Nobody from Nowhere
How does that happen?
About Paul Roman Martinez: A Journey Through History & Art
I was born in central California as part of a large family with 2 brothers and 5 half siblings. By 5 years old I was in foster care and never saw my birth parents again. I was never really sad about it but I noticed I never had the same sense of personal or family history as others I met. This probably helped inspire my fascination with the history of the Earth and it’s people. I won my first drawing award in Kindergarten by drawing something interesting on accident. I never stopped drawing or creating.
I discovered old comic books in a pile of junk in a garage and was hooked on the medium. I drew everything all the time and went on to study graphic design and history in college. Working 60 hours+ a week during college caused me to take a while but by the time I graduated I was ready to publish my own graphic novel series.
Key Highlights
- 2009, began publishing the Adventures of the 19XX as an online webcomic.
- 2010, first edition soft cover of the 19XX published and nominated for the Russ Manning at the Eisner Awards at San Diego Comic Con
- 2011, The second book in the 19XX series was also nominated for the Russ Manning award and book 1 went for a second printing.
After publishing…
After publishing my own series I branched out into designing products I wished I could find in shops. I was a foster parent, inspired by my family growing up. I adopted two amazing kids of Mixtec ancestry. Being latino myself many would think those cultures are nearly identical but my eyes were opened to the many differences between the indigenous cultures of the Americas.
Getting deeper into history, art, and family, I also began teaching design and comic illustration at the college level. In working with so many young people seeking to make their own path in the creative arts I was inspired to help them find their own voices. I now balance my time between my own art, teaching, taking care of my kids, and providing opportunities for young artists from underrepresented communities in the arts.
Above is our little family. My oldest daughter is working on their masters degree in Quantum Engineering and my youngest helps me out at conventions and has taught me more than I ever thought possible about the pure joy people with special needs have and can bring to those around them.