In celebration of #HispanicHeritageMonth, I’d like to shine the creative spotlight on Jorge Garza, aka Qetza.

Jorge Garza is the author and illustrator of the bilingual horror-comic “Wrath of the Giver” and a featured artist in the “Tales from the Cryptic Closet #1” comic book. His entire body of illustrations and designs are directly influenced by Latinx heritage from the Americas, featuring bold tribal designs and traditional Aztec elements of design.

Qetza has created a series of works reinterpreting modern characters from comics and movies, and also those working in essential careers, into figures featuring a traditional Aztec art aesthetic.  These pieces feature 2D side profile flat illustrations with even weighted line art and solid colour fill.  To give the work a bit of historical context, derived from the artist’s interest in Latin American art history, each piece is also textured with varying overlays of plaster and clay wall.  This contrasting texture of age and decay creates immense interest against the clean geometric style of the figures.

With further exploration into the artist’s catalogue, one can find additional tribal motif and iconography in the form of intricate line art depicting Latin American tribal symbolism.  Floating heads of gods and goddesses loom in the darkness of a black background, and feature detailed line art evoking the look of hand-carvings.  Qetza employs the use of bold tropical colours or contrasting black-and-white or black-and-cream colour palettes.  Additional work carries over this highly detailed line and shading with carving-style elements into Lovecraftian inspired labyrinths of tentacles, horror movie icons, and general work of the macabre persuasion.

You can purchase any number of Qetza’s pieces as well as his recently published comic book “Wrath of the Giver” at his online storefront.

To view a full portfolio of Qetza’s work, head on over to his official site.  Interested in seeing his current works in progress or latest designs heading to his shop?  Give him a follow on Twitter or Instagram.

Interested in hiring a Latinx cover artist or an illustrator for your next graphic novel storyline?  Jorge Garza is available to give you a quote on your next project. You can contact him here.

By Ellen Avigliano

Twitter: @imaginariumcs

Instagram: @imaginariumarts @thejackalopes.warren

Website: www.imaginariumarts.com