Made in the 956: Valley artist illustrates 'Goosebumps' graphic novels
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A Rio Grande Valley native and artist now has her artwork displayed in published books across the country.
She's an artist who was inspired by her home.
"I've pulled a lot of inspiration from living in the Valley. From people I know growing up and from people I've had a lot of care for," Maddie Gonzalez said.
Gonzalez is a McAllen native who graduated from Sharyland High School in 2012.
"My passion has always been drawing. So I have been drawing and making comments since I was a kid, and now that's my profession, I draw comic books for all ages of people," Gonzalez said.
Now Gonzalez is doing just that. She has a published graphic novel alongside author Madison Porter Siddell. The name of the book is "Tiffany's Griffon."
"We made it together. It's a fantasy about two little girls who find a magical griffon egg, and they experience all sorts of adventures with a fantasy world," Gonzalez said.
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Gonzalez has also worked on graphic novels for R.L Stein — books that many of us grew up reading as kids.
"My most recent published graphic novels that I'm doing right now are the graphic adaptations of R.L. Stein's 'Goosebumps' novels that were originally published in the '90s."
Gonzalez said the opportunity came after self-publishing comics online. That's when the company Scholastic reached out.
"So they had me basically do an audition for what their 'Goosebumps' graphic novels would be like," Gonzalez said.
She ended up getting the job.
For Gonzalez, being from the Valley is something to be proud of.
"The Valley is such a beautiful, unique, special place full of incredible people and very rich in diverse culture," Gonzalez said.
As for what the future holds, Gonzalez expressed big ambitions.
"Hopefully one day I will do stuff that doesn't belong to an already existing intellectual property. You know, the Goosebumps stuff is great, I'm really grateful for the opportunity, but I would like to do more things that come from my mind," Gonzalez said.
Maddie Gonzalez is made in the 956.
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