Photograpy credits to Jess Valdivia 2026
Tell us a little about yourself. How did your early experiences shape the person and artist you are today?
My name is Gabriel G. Perez. I’m an artist and designer born and raised in Miami, Florida, with family roots in Chile. I create illustrations and concept art for video games, comics, cruise lines, AR/VR, and music. I currently run my own freelance studio, GGP CREATES. Since I was young, I always had paper and pencils nearby to fuel my passion for drawing. Art was my favorite subject in school, and in my free time, I read comics and fiction, watched cartoons, played video games, and drew things inspired by those interests. My parents recognized my passion for creating and encouraged me to pursue an arts education. I was fortunate to study in specialized art programs.
When did you first realize that art illustration was something you wanted to pursue seriously?
It was design that first opened my eyes to the possibility of pursuing art as a career. I was accepted into Design and Architecture Senior High School here in Miami, where I studied Industrial Design. Then I began applying to art and design colleges, soon I started to see the possibilities of building a career around creativity. This eventually led me to study video game design and illustration at Otis College in Los Angeles, California.
What inspired you to become an artist, and who or what has influenced your creative journey along the way?
The creative worlds I grew up with sparked my imagination and inspired me to create things of my own. My family has also influenced on my creative journey. On my mother’s side, many family members work in art and design, from painting and photography to graphic design. My grandfather on my dad’s side was a commercial airline pilot, but he also loved painting. Having creativity present throughout my family helped me see art as something that could be both a passion and a way of life.
How has being a first-generation American influenced your perspective, your identity, or the way you approach your artistic practice?
I’m the son of immigrant parents who came to the United States in their early twenties with a dream of building a better life for themselves. They arrived with little money and no family here, and their sacrifices gave me the resources and opportunities to pursue my own aspirations. As I’ve grown older, I’ve come to understand how much their journey shaped my future. It has made me appreciate the opportunity to pursue art not only as a passion, but also as a career.
Your work moves between digital and analog forms of illustration. How does each medium allow you to express something different?
As a working professional, digital tools such as Photoshop, 3D modeling programs, and digital tablets give me flexibility when developing ideas and making revisions. For my personal illustrations, I enjoy working with analog materials, experimenting with color and texture, and reconnecting with the joy I felt when I first started creating art. Putting pen to paper still feels like the most natural way to get an idea out of my mind and into physical form.
Can you tell us about an illustration or project that is especially meaningful to you?
My sketchbooks have always been my favorite place to draw. They contain the seeds of ideas that eventually become larger projects, but they also give me a space to experiment freely and have a visual dialogue with my work. Another project I’d like to highlight is the 2024 CultureFest 305 poster for the Museum of Miami. Special thanks to graphic designer Crystal Rodriguez for the opportunity. The poster was created for a folklife festival celebrating Miami’s vibrant, multicultural identity. It was a pleasure to see my work featured throughout the Miami community where I grew up.
What have been some of the biggest challenges you have encountered as an artist, and how have those experiences influenced the way you approach your career today?
I often find myself navigating the space between my potential and what my own mind believes I’m capable of achieving. I can be my own worst critic. I keep those doubts at bay by continuing to work on my craft, staying committed to my art, and putting myself and my work out there. I’ve also worked in corporate environments that I once thought would provide more sustainable opportunities, but experiencing a layoff made me reconsider that path and think more seriously about where I wanted my career to go. Instead of letting that uncertainty hold me back, I decided to create an opportunity of my own by starting my creative studio, GGP CREATES. It has given me a way to present myself professionally, take on freelance projects, and have more control over the direction of my creative career. The studio is still growing, but I see it as an important step toward building the independent practice I want to create
Have there been moments when you questioned your artistic path?
Even if I weren’t making a career out of art, it would still be part of my life. Creating is something I feel I was born to do, and I’ll probably die doing it. I experience pure bliss when it’s just me, a blank page, and my arsenal of art supplies. Before art became a career, it was something I did simply for fun. I remind myself of that every day and find joy in the process.
What do you hope people feel, think about, or take away when they encounter your work?
I hope people feel excited when they look at my art. It’s the same feeling I get when a piece of artwork makes me stop and take a closer look. I want my work to create that same sense of curiosity and excitement in others, something too cool to simply pass by.
A selection of portfolio artworks from Gabriel G. Perez: https://dot.cards/ggpcreates
