the world of painting and especially design sits on a razor edge of complexity. someone close to a designer trained in the industry knows how hard it is to value that work. many people miss or refuse to see this truth. illustration can be for tattoos, text, or album art, and it often demands hours upon hours of effort: first shaping the project, a costly stage, then translating skill into execution. is it possible to imagine a sketch simply appearing when a studio door opens to engrave a fire-breathing dragon on skin? placing it on the calf or forearm is just a portion of the task—sometimes not even the priciest part.
that explains why many step away from the profession, or at best get pushed toward a hobby label. luck or a lucky break can be the difference between posting designs on social networks or saving them in an overlooked folder and earning a prestigious, international reputation. for this, talent matters, and sometimes it seems almost genetic. a designer from lorca, named jose maria campoy, reflects a family with artistic threads. he speaks of a mother who drew and sculpted with plasticine, a brother who painted with oils, and a young niece with a striking sense for design. the family keeps pointing the way, and the path seems almost inevitable for him. he notes that eleven-year-old marcus told stories in comics, while another sister outshone him in drawing for their age. in his view, talent appears in each person, though not in the same form.
that gift has been nurtured since childhood. he emphasizes the importance of learning from masters. as a child, he and a sibling copied license plates from early comic pioneers, a habit their father even bought back then. a friend named juanjo, who later ran a local kiosk, helped kindle a true love for comics. the early graphic resources learned in those years—points of view, facial expressions, composition—continue to impress him today. references include stewards of the craft and iconic artists who shaped the field.
the first official poster for a big moment came in 2018, a concert poster titled His Satanic Majesty created for a southampton show.
every piece of this journey crystallized when he began freelance work in 2006. beginnings were not easy. projects that were small, low paid, or unpaid could drain energy and time, especially when a newcomer tried to professionalize. tiny companies or individuals would pop up with demands that undervalued the craft, pushing many talented people away. the lesson is clear: avoid trades offering only visibility and no real respect for work.
The call of the stones
three career moments stand out as pivotal. first, a friend suggested he illustrate the structure of a project and paid well enough to rekindle his enthusiasm for design. second, an introduction to a company where he learned a great deal and joined a talented team. third, the approval of a poster for a major concert gallery, a milestone that confirmed his path. since that moment, high profile clients like the rock legends have become a big part of his portfolio. this collaboration with a renowned band from his region became a near accidental but lasting turning point.
another marker came when a fan project tied to a european tour sparked his creativity. he recalls sending two ideas with city specific tags, then receiving a surprising response that his boss really admired the Paris design. the moment turned into real work and more opportunities beyond the original source, reinforcing the idea that authentic fan-driven art can reach commercial heights.
over time, he has worked with a roster of bands that resonate with many listeners. names from decades of rock and metal have appeared in his posters, sometimes joined by figures from rap and other genres. even with some concerts paused by recent events, the momentum has returned, and there is more work than ever before.
when asked about favorite works, he highlights the most meaningful pieces, including the Southampton Stones poster and a London concert piece. a personal note adds a story about congratulatory messages, a keepsake tattoo, and a t-shirt bearing the design. these personal details underscore how much the art means to both the artist and his audience. a poster for a Guns N’ Roses show in another city, signed by the group and given to a pilot, stands out as a remarkable moment.
an amusing anecdote involves a well known guitarist who offered precise feedback on a design, choosing to express the correction with a simple sketch. that insistence on accuracy shows the artist’s resolve—attention to detail is a constant in his process.
step by step, with a mix of luck and hard work, the Lorca designer is making a mark on the world. today, thanks to opportunities created by supporters and collaborators, he is living a dream: to work with idols and to pursue design and illustration as a full-time career. he happily balances the demanding schedule of concerts and design briefs, with the future promising more projects than ever while the inbox stays full of new orders.