SupermanHawaii.com

Carl's book, "Lakas and the Makibaka Hotel", deals
with Lakas heroically mobilizing his community.

by Lawrence E. Pacheco

Carl Angel, artist, illustrator and graphic designer, grew up right here in Hawaii and attended Radford High School. After graduating, Carl followed his artistic passion and began his life in the San Francisco Bay Area.

I know this story well because I’ve had the privilege of knowing both him and his art since we were in fourth grade.

Carl always demanded perfection from his own art. So much so that he attended California College of Arts and Crafts and later hewed his craft at the Academy of Art College, where he graduated with a Bachelor of Arts in Illustration in 1991. He now lives in San Leandro, California.

It wasn’t long before Carl found his true calling: visually telling the stories behind Filipino culture, mythology and folklore. His works have been prominently featured in galleries all over San Francisco and Hawaii. Carl, along with several writers, has also published a series of children’s books.

After all these years, during a promotion, I finally had a chance to ask Carl about his life and most recent works.

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Q: What inspired you to focus your talents on Filipino culture, mythology and folklore?

A: A lack of filipino representation in the visual arts, and a gradual need to explore my heritage and ancestry. I grew up with greek and norse mythology, and yet I've never seen any fantastical stories from my own culture. I'm sure being on the mainland and being amongst a lot of culturally aware people art school also helped shape that focus. Funny enough, exploring the stories of mythology in my heritage actually brought me full circle into realizing how much all cultures are connected through the similarities present in the stories and symbols.

Q: Tell me in your own words about Lakas' heroism in your children's book "Lakas and the Makibaka Hotel".

A: The heroism in the book comes from Lakas, who mobilizes the community to fight for their right to have a home. Pretty noble, considering he's not in the same dire situation the other characters are. He's the first and only one to try and convince the landlord about letting the residents stay before resorting to a protest. Lakas sees that it's worth fighting for your community. Convincing others to take a stand where they have already given up is a pretty heroic thing.

Q: Is there a part of you in Lakas?

A: I'm not so sure about that. I wish I was more like him, curious and heroic. We both have a mole on the left side of our chin, though!

Q: Are there any more "Lakas" books in the works by you and writer Anthony D. Robles?

A: Only if this one sells enough copies. It's pretty rare that a nonprofit publisher will do a continuing series about one character, especially a multicultural one.

Q: What are your ultimate illustration goals/dreams?

A: I've had the same goals/dreams since I was 8 years old... to tell stories, whether it be through writing and illustrating my own books (exploring a particular theme, or to eventually take my stories to some sort of moving medium, like animation.

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If you haven’t heard of Carl Angel before reading this article or haven’t seen his works, please, do yourself a favor… visit his exhibits… pick up his books. I assure you they are well worth it. Once you see the depth of his art… you’ll be glad you took the time.

For more information on the history and works of Carl Angel, please visit his website at carlqangel.com

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