S everal years ago, in 2018, I embarked on my largest and one of my favorite drawing series: Venezuelan myths and folklore. It all started in my History of Science class when a classmate, who also loved drawing, mentioned a challenge she was excited about: Inktober. Initially I had no clue what she was talking about, but her enthusiasm won me over. I still remember how she quickly explained it to me and even begged me to participate.
That first Inktober introduced me to a new way of creating art, and also to using ink which became my favorite medium and later inspired me to explore watercolors as well. Switching to ink was tough, especially since I was used to graphite and chalk, where creating value and texture felt easy and natural. Ink, though, was unforgiving, and took a serious effort, but pushed me to grow as an artist.
Through the month-long work I put in this series, I also found what I'd long been searching for: my unique style and the themes I love to draw as an artist.
The 2018 Challenge
While I've participated in other Inktober challenges since, the 2018 challenge remains special. It wasn't just my first; it's also tied to very special memories. I was initially unaware of the official prompts, so I decided to unify my drawings under a single theme. I'm picky about what I draw, so finding a theme took time.
That's when a close friend called Juan Cedeño (who had to experience first hand how picky I am) suggested I could draw different Venezuelan myths, and we turned the challenge into a collaborative endeavor. He proposed the myths he already knew about, researched others, and wrote the descriptions to accompany each drawing, while I dedicated myself to draw his descriptions. Through his explanations, I learned a ton about Venezuelan folklore, which deepened my connection to the series even further.
It was a very unique and unforgettable experience. It was beyond just drawing, we spent a lot of time talking and sharing ideas throughout the whole process. I had always drawn on my own and thought of it as a solidary activity, but working on this series taught me otherwise.
Favorite Pieces
This collaboration made the experience unique. Drawing had always felt like a solitary act, but working together— sharing ideas, stories, and creating something meaningful to the both of us— completely changed my perspective. We spent hours talking, researching, and crafting each piece.
My two favorite drawings from the series are of the Momoy, a gnome from The Andes regions, and El Silbón, a whistling spirit whose eerie tune echoes through the Venezuelan plains. These characters captivated me with their stories, and they were a joy to draw. Juan and I are already planning to collaborate again, though we know the entire experience won't be exactly the same.
Discovering Venezuelan Folklore
Through this series, I learned about the richness of Venezuelan folklore, discovering tales like the Hydra of the Orinoco River, a mythical creature tied to one of Venezuela's most vital waterways, and La Sayona, a vengeful ghost who haunts unfaithful men. I was especially drawn to El Carretón Fantasma, a ghostly carriage said to appear when someone is about to die, carrying their soul to the depths of hell. Drawing these myths was both fun and enriching, and I grew attached to the tales they represent.
Looking Forward
I do hope to revisit this series someday, creating more drawings or refining the originals without the daily Inktober rush (while also completing my college coursework!) My dream is to compile them into an illustrated book, possibly adding new stories to share these myths with a wider audience.
If you're curious to see the full collection, you can check out my gallery, where you can find all of them.