Flavor of the Bronx Brought to Comic Con by Local Artist

Every year, New York City Comic Con brings in fans, cosplayers, and artists from around the globe. The first image to come up in casual spectator’s minds are popular U.S. owned comic publishers like Marvel and D.C. But like New York City, Comic Con is a giant melting pot of the corporate, artistic, geeky, and quirky.

In booth #401 in “The Block” was Laura Alvarez, Selina Briggs, and Eric Nocella Diaz. Both Ms. Alvarez and Mr. Diaz are from the Bronx while Ms. Briggs is a Brooklyn-based artist. However, the different locations did not stop all three from collaborating with each other to make unique collectible toys.

Selina Briggs and Eric Nocella Diaz. Photo c/o Argonaut Resins Facebook

Selina Briggs and Eric Nocella Diaz. Photo c/o Argonaut Resins Facebook

Born in the South Bronx, Eric Nocella Diaz currently has a studio in Hoboken New Jersey. Owner of Argonaut, he uses 3D model printing to form the shape of his aristocratic Tuttz cats and the adorable Jelly Empire Robots. He then uses resin casting mixed with various colors, glitter, and finishes, some are even able to glow in the dark.

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Laura Alvarez is a Bronx-based illustrator and graphic designer who moved to the Bronx from Spain in 2009. Not only is she a creator of art and owner of LaurAlvarez Art but she also teaches it. Extending her love and knowledge for art is part of the bigger picture that makes Laura Alvarez who she is. When not drawing, she believes in social and community activism. Through The Friends of Soundview Park, Ms. Alvarez has been one of the organizers whose mission is to clean up parks and engage the Soundview Park community in volunteering. Members of The Friends of Soundview Park were honored last month for their efforts in a Partnership for Parks fellowship mentoring program.

“I came to Comic Con six years ago to check it out and I thought it was amazing. Eric asked me to make one of his posters, which I immediately agreed to do.” After that, Ms. Alvarez was invited to paint Mr. Diaz’s resin statues.

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Sharing a personal anecdote about her childhood, Laura explained that the background of her poster was a old Spanish song she used to sing with her family. The song is about a cat who wanted a red bow but when it’s owners did not buy it a bow, it grew angry.

When asked how she felt on the road to Comic Con, especially as a Bronx-based artist, Laura responded with, “Everything thing is so big and great but I never thought that I would be here with my art.”

Miau Miau, maúlla mi gato,  Miau, miau, muy enfadado, porque quiere que le compre, un lacito colorado, y yo no se lo he comprado. Miau, miau, maúlla mi gato,  Miau, miau, muy enfadado, por que quiere que le compre, un lacito colorado, por qué me gusta enfadado, Miau, miau, maúlla mi gato.

Miau Miau, maúlla mi gato,
Miau, miau, muy enfadado, porque quiere que le compre,
un lacito colorado, y yo no se lo he comprado.
Miau, miau, maúlla mi gato,
Miau, miau, muy enfadado, por que quiere que le compre,
un lacito colorado,
por qué me gusta enfadado,
Miau, miau, maúlla mi gato.

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