Artist, Joe Bravo and his works Artist, Joe Bravo and his works
Artist, Joe Bravo and his works Artist, Joe Bravo and his works

"I was born in San Jose, California. My father was from the state of Michoacan, Mexico and my mother's family is from Mexicali, Baja California. Growing up in the border town of Calexico, California, I began my art career by making mud figures, drawing, constructing wood swords, slingshots and other projects.

The lack of having any store bought toys helped me to develop my creativity and technical ability because I had to use my imagination to make my own toys. My family moved to Los Angeles county in the early 60's where I attended junior high and high school in Wilmington. I won several art awards in high school including outstanding senior for Banning High School's art department.

I attended college at Cal State Northridge where I served as graphic artist for the Chicano newspaper, El Popo. I also studied for one summer in Mexico City at the Taller de Arte Grafica Popular. Graduating with a bachelor of arts in graphic design, I began my career as a graphic artist. My career has been varied, working as Art Director for Lowrider Magazine, Celebrando Magazine and Where Magazine. I also worked as Art Director for American Golf Corporation and several ad agencies. For a while I painted murals and received grants from the California Arts Council and the Citywide Mural Project. Besides my painting, I currently work as a freelance graphic designer on the MacIntosh computer. I am the proud father of two adult sons, Joey, a Stanford University graduate who works as a research scientist, and Johnny who is recent graduate of UCLA."