Today we’d like to introduce you to Norby Ela.
Hi Norby, so excited to have you with us today. What can you tell us about your story?
Born in the Philippines. Grew up there and also in Orange County. Went back in the Philippines for high school and college. Studied Optometry and finished in Nursing even though I wanted to take Fine Arts in college. My friends and I made (I believe) the first geek media website called FlipGeeks. As I balance myself at being an English instructor in Korean online companies or being a digital marketing manager in an advertising company and content creating in FG, I delved into creating my own comic zines and doing art. After staying in the Philippines for 18 years, I returned back here in California. I got offered a day job in San Diego, and that’s where I am. Right now, while doing art, I still have a day job and do content creating for FG. I’m also tattoo apprenticing for Hillcrest Art Lofts.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way? Looking back, would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
No, it hasn’t been a smooth road yet. There were people saying that I shouldn’t do art, there’s no money on it, your art is not good, and they’re too risqué. Even though through time, it has its ups and downs, it’s just a never-ending journey that I keep trying to not get out off.
Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
I grew up watching cartoons, so I wanted to be an animator. Then found out that I have to draw multiple pages that are almost the same. Then I got into reading comic books and got fond of the classical artists like DaVinci and Monet, just like any other middle school art kid. For comics, my heroes would be John Romita Jr., Sean Gordon Murphy, Rafael Albuqurque, Matt Kindt, Jeff Lemire, and Nate Powell.
I transitioned in doing my art digitally when the iPad Gen 4 came out. And I’d buy these $0.20 cent styluses where I had to replace for a new one every week or so.
My line work keeps evolving and changing as I looked over Jim Mahfood and David Choe. I wouldn’t say that I don’t have any specialty. I’m mostly proud of all my work. I believe that my work is not really well known. But I do appreciate when they comment/purchase them. I guess what sets from any artists apart from each other are the levels of thought from mind to execution on paper. And I believe that I really have my own.
Is there anything else you’d like to share with our readers?
My work will be displayed at Culture Brewing – Encinitas this April 7th to 30th. Visit my website: www.norbyela.com. And you can see my latest updates and work on my Instagram: @norbyela.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.norbyela.com
- Instagram: www.instagram.com/norbyela
