Meet Mariano Velasco | Children’s Author and Illustrator

We had the good fortune of connecting with Mariano Velasco and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Mariano, we’d love to hear more about how you thought about starting your own business?
My journey into creating children’s books began during my college years. Between classes, I found myself jotting down ideas, one of which evolved into the ‘The Boy and the Thing’ series. This concept lingered in my mind for nearly a decade, the story came rather quickly but the illustrations went on for years, while I tried to get the illustrations perfect.

The turning point came with the birth of my daughter, Ivy. I felt a profound desire to complete the story—not just as a personal achievement, but to share it with her. In December 2023, I self-published the book for friends and family. Their feedback inspired me to expand its reach through national self-publishing efforts.

As I participated in local markets, Ivy’s interest in the characters grew, prompting her to ask for more stories. This motivation led me to develop an activity book based on the original concept, followed by additional books featuring the same characters. To further promote my brand, I introduced a daily comic strip showcasing these characters hoping to grow my brand further.

Recognizing the potential of The Boy and the Thing’s universe, I began treating it as a comprehensive brand. This expansion included diverse promotional materials and merchandise such as a custom beer, an iPhone app, apparel, plush toys, greeting cards, and even an animated cartoon. What started as a college pastime transformed into a multifaceted brand,

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
My art is deeply rooted in storytelling, imagination, and the special bond between parent and child. What truly sets my work apart is its origin—each character and story was inspired by real-life moments shared with my children. The Boy and The Thing isn’t just a series of books or comics; it’s a vibrant, evolving world that captures the everyday magic of family life.

Beyond the heartfelt inspiration, my distinct illustration style and relentless drive to explore new creative directions make my work stand out. I’m always experimenting—unafraid to take risks or try something unconventional. That willingness to push boundaries, paired with a strong commitment to authenticity, allows my characters to feel both relatable and refreshingly different from anything else out there.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
If my best friend were visiting Denver for a week, I’d want to give them a full taste of what makes this city so special a perfect blend of creativity, character, and natural beauty. As an artist and storyteller, I draw a lot of inspiration from simply observing the world around me, and Denver is full of those moments.

You’ll often find me people-watching to spark ideas for my comics—whether it’s a Rockies or Avalanche game, the crowds during First Friday on Santa Fe (where I love selling my books at the VFW), or just soaking in the vibe at a local brewery with my tablet in hand.

One of my favorite creative hangouts is Something Brewery in Brighton. It’s a spot that’s not only great for craft beer, but also for community and collaboration. In fact, I partnered with them last year on a special caramel apple cider release called Attack of the Killer Apple Cider, with my character dawning the label.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
I would like to thank my children, Ivy and Judah for giving me the motivation and inspiration to continue to grow this brand.

Website: https://www.theboyandthething.com

Instagram: @theboyandthething

Youtube: The Boy and the Thing

Image Credits
Mariano A. Velasco