Carlos Espada

Coming from a family of professional wrestlers and entertainers, I learned two very important things from my father; "The more you know, the more you earn" and "never do things half way." To this day, those inspirational words are the fuel that pushes me to take on every task with passion and intensity, losing myself in the creative flow of any project I'm involved in. My work can be seen in product lines such as Star Wars, Star Trek, Crouching Tiger Hidden Dragon, Eminem, Alice Cooper, and Dark Angel, all of which I helped develop while I was the Art Director and Shop Manager at Art Asylum Toys. As much as I love toys, I also have a love for music and performing, and successfully started a tribute band celebrating the rock legends, KISS. I wasn't satisfied with having just another 'tribute band', so I created a plan to make the band stand out from all the others. It worked; the band gained enough notoriety that I would go on to work with my boyhood idol Gene Simmons as well as Silvertone guitars on promoting their Paul Stanley signature line of guitars. The band performed globally and was featured on the likes of VH1, CNN and more, including the filming of a pilot for VH1 entitled Mock Rock. In 2014, I teamed up with Find A Dime Publishing to help develop their 'Harry' story/educational brand and book series, illustrating both books and merchandise for the titles 'Bath After Math' and 'Who's at the Zoo?', both of which are available on Amazon. During the same year, I teamed up with Joey Cassata and Christopher Lynn, creators of the upcoming television series 'Wrestling with Joeylicious', where I served as a wrestling consultant and actor playing the character Una Granada (as well as eight other extras). The opportunities continued into 2015, when I was asked by famed graffiti artist Indie184 to pen her comic book titled 'Indie Destroys', which was released during New York Comic Con in the summer of the same year. Later that summer, I teamed up with Illustrator Rolo Ledesma and Director Justine Brooks to write, film, build props, and create the Red Rum Twins for Ledesma's store line Curves and Bullets, for which the trailer was used as a pitch reel. August of 2016 I released Los Quotes Vol.1 a book of my quotes accompanied with my art. Los Quotes has been designed so that each page can be hung up as a friendly reminder, or given to someone you feel can use a kind word of encouragement. My desire is to build a community through positivity. The book was so well received that Barnes and Nobles began to carry it on their stores and web site. Volume 2 is in the works. I would also team up with author and actress Sevans Martinez to illustrate her children's book, What makes thunder and lightning? What makes these loud noises and intense flashes of light? What if things weren't really as scary as they sometime seem? This imagining of a possible explanation will leave you smiling and snuggling safely and soundly into your beds. After all, it's only some angels with apples. October 2016 I teamed up once again with Rolo Ledesma. Penning an anthology book based on the Curves and Bullets character Pandora Boxx. The book sold out at New York Comic Con with its fan base excite to see Pandora have a back story. My desire to give content that is kid friendly, I created and developed; Super Group Go! Earths mightiest rock band has become the universes only hope!! Given the powers to enhance their strength and skills. Saber, Monarch, Fire Hawk and Dragon must ban together to face Mirror Vain and her legion of monsters. Follow their adventures as Super Group Go defends all that is good. They conquered the world of music, but can the conquer evil? Rock n Roll Brat and friends prove that anything is possible through the power of imagination! The main character, Rock n Roll Brat, along with her friends Domino, Mansoon, and Jimmi, manage to turn everyday activities, such as jamming with their band, or a treasure hunt in the yard, into imaginary adventures where mischief (and fun!) are always near! These titles are geared toward a younger audience, mixing action, adventure, and wonderment to inspire young minds. These books are a labor of love and will be released in the summer of 2017. March will see the release of my first novel "When love dies" what I originally wrote as a play. I decided to make it into a novel. "When love dies" is a romance story that touches on a loving couple that must face postpartum depression. I work day and night on branding and developing everything from toys, music, TV and live shows. I love what I do, and no matter the job, I always give it my all. I believe in the philosophy of hard work on every level, and have been called a 'creative force' by those I've worked with. As great of a compliment as that is, I have to give credit to the creative minds around me (and the greats who came before me), I feed off their energy which in turn pushes me get better, to dig deeper, and to stay creative.