BIO

Carmen Cerra: From Political to Animal

Carmen Cerra has been drawing ever since he picked up a purple crayon and used it on the walls of his parents' house.

He graduated from Iowa State University in 1997 with a degree in Biological and Premedical Illustration. Soon after, he went on to work as a political cartoonist at the Iowa State Daily (1997-2003), and then as a political cartoonist, page designer, and copy chief at the Ames Tribune (2003-20,) winning several awards, including as top page designer for Gatehouse Media newspapers in 2016.

In 2013, his other duties kept him from being able to draw political cartoons, so he shifted his artistic focus toward a different direction, and, in a return to his college degree, began drawing cute little animals -- which are only somewhat scientifically accurate (for example, Owls aren't known to drive older-model cars. )

Carmen has used countless different media in his art over the years but relies these days mostly on his trusty fountain pens (TWSBI-ECO and Sheaffer Imperial) along with a dabbling of watercolor. 

This website provides him a way to share his love of art and illustration with a larger audience, and to pick up a few jobs along the way drawing and painting for you.

If you would like to request some art from Carmen, enquire about prices, or just ask a question about a particular piece, feel free to send him an email by clicking one of the "contact" buttons or filling out and submitting the form at the bottom of the home page. 

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