Billy Martinez is an American visual artist and author best known for his work in the comic book industry and his high-energy live art performances, and we’re excited to welcome him to FarleyCon. Originally from San Diego and now based in Nashville, Tennessee, Martinez brings a bold, instantly recognizable style that fuses pop art, realism, and cartooning. In 1999, he founded Neko Press Comics and Publishing, creating a platform for his own projects and for emerging artists. His body of work includes flagship comic series like Wildflower and Kickass Girl, the critically acclaimed graphic novel The Deepest Dark, and popular instructional books such as In Your Face and Body Movin’. A defining part of his career is live painting—often creating multiple images at once alongside DJs and live bands—and he’s a regular performer in Nashville’s historic Printers Alley and venues throughout Music City. In addition to performing, Martinez teaches art classes ranging from sequential comics to fine art painting, and his work has been featured by Starbucks Coffee Company and in galleries across the United States. Fans can learn more by visiting his official site, The Art of Billy Martinez, or following him on Instagram.