Today we’d like to introduce you to Octavio Sosa.
Hi Octavio, can you start by introducing yourself? We’d love to learn more about how you got to where you are today?
I was born in Mendoza, Argentina, where I had a happy childhood filled with soccer, friends, and long summer afternoons. Around the age of four, I discovered drawing almost by accident. My parents wouldn’t buy me the action figures I wanted, so I started drawing my own, cutting them out with scissors, and inventing stories for them. During the siestas, I would spend hours creating little comics to entertain myself. Looking back, that’s where both my love for drawing and storytelling began.
In 2002, my family moved to Austin, Texas. It was one of the hardest transitions of my life because I didn’t speak English. Overnight I went from having friends, a routine, and a familiar culture to feeling like I had to start over. It wasn’t easy, but Austin eventually became home.
Although I had always drawn, I didn’t begin taking art seriously until my mid-thirties. For years, drawing was something I loved, but I treated it as a hobby rather than a discipline. Everything changed thanks to an unexpected conversation. I had painted a pair of my own shoes, and during a company Christmas party the owner noticed them and asked if I was an artist. Months later, when layoffs happened, he remembered that conversation and offered me my first professional art position creating digital illustrations for advertising campaigns. That opportunity changed my life.
I had never used professional design software before, so I taught myself programs like Adobe Illustrator and Photoshop by watching hundreds of YouTube videos. That’s when I realized that being an artist wasn’t just about inspiration, it was about putting in the hours no matter if you feel like it or not.
Since then I’ve had the opportunity to create album artwork, posters, merchandise, illustrations, and a supporter tifo for the U.S. Open Cup Final. I’ve collaborated with local businesses and clients across the country. More recently, I’ve begun exhibiting my personal artwork in Austin, where I’ve been fortunate enough to sell pieces and connect with amazing people and artists.
Today my goal is simple: to continue growing as an illustrator, collaborate with other artists, tell meaningful stories through my work, and become a more active part of Austin’s creative scene. No matter what changes in technology or the industry, I know I’ll always keep creating. It’s simply part of who I am.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
One of the biggest challenges I’ve faced hasn’t been finding work—it’s learning to manage my own mind. Self-doubt doesn’t disappear. I still deal with it today. For a long time, I listened to that voice telling me I wasn’t good enough or that I wasn’t ready. Eventually I realized that confidence doesn’t come first. Action comes first. You take the step anyway, and confidence follows.
Moving from Argentina to Austin in 2002 was another challenge. I didn’t speak English, didn’t understand the culture, and suddenly felt like I didn’t belong. Over time I discovered that Austin is full of kind, welcoming people who opened doors for me and helped me build a community. Looking back, that experience shaped who I am today.
I’m also completely self-taught. When I was offered my first professional illustration job, I barely knew how to use programs like Illustrator or Photoshop. I spent my days working and my nights watching tutorials, practicing, and making mistakes. That experience taught me something I’ll never forget: talent helps, but consistent effort changes everything. If you’re willing to put in the hours, you can learn almost anything.
People usually only see the finished artwork. They don’t see the thousands of sketches that never leave the studio, the failed ideas, or the countless hours spent practicing fundamentals. That’s the real work. Every finished piece represents many others that didn’t succeed.
I’m still a student of art, and I think I always will be. There’s always another skill to learn, another story to tell, and another opportunity to improve. That’s what keeps me going.
As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about what you do?
My work is rooted in storytelling. Whether I’m creating an illustration, a poster, or a painting, I’m always trying to tell a story that invites people to slow down and think what happened before and what might happen next. I’m heavily inspired by history, mythology, fantasy, and the natural world, as well as the culture I grew up with in Argentina and the life I’ve built in Texas.
I work primarily in digital illustration and traditional painting. I enjoy creating expressive characters, dramatic compositions, and worlds that feel lived in. My long-term goal is to build my own graphic novel universe, where illustration and storytelling come together to create something people can connect with for years to come.
We love surprises, fun facts and unexpected stories. Is there something you can share that might surprise us?
People are often surprised to learn that, as much as I love drawing, what truly fascinates me is storytelling. I’m obsessed with history, legendary battles, medieval armor, and worlds like The Lord of the Rings. Those stories inspire the kind of worlds I hope to create one day through my own graphic novel.
Outside the studio, I’m usually reading history, spending time with my family, playing soccer, or taking long walks in nature. Nature has become one of the best ways for me to clear my mind and recharge creatively. Some of my best ideas come while I’m away from the drawing table.
At heart, I’m still the kid who used to draw his own action figures because he couldn’t buy them. The tools have changed, but I’m still chasing the same thing: telling stories that spark someone’s imagination.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://octaviososa.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/octavio_art_/
