Hi! My name is Johel, just ignore the H and pronounce it like Joel, (they are mostly mute in spanish)

My passion is drawing, and painting, and I am in love with colors. Colors are light and I've had the opportunity to see so much different lightings from so many places and I wish to see a lot more. In this case I hope my work speaks for itself, feel free to check it in www.johelrivera.com

Workwise I am a freelance animator/designer/illustrator/etc. Soon I'll be moving to Canada for a few months but I hope to keep traveling. Observing the world opens your perspectives soooo much.

I was born and raised in Costa Rica, between beaches and rainforest, I love nature, animals and the sense of solitude you can reach between them.
Later in life I got an scholarship that brought me to the states, here I've traveled from east to west coast, and see such a broad spectrum of people, is great.

I love science and observing nature to understand it. I am working in a book to help children cope with loneliness and transform that energy into solitude. And my greater wish in life is to always learn new things.

I also play guitar. And I believe food creates friends.

Why I’m on Couchsurfing

Right now it's sort of an emergency, A friend of mine gave me a free pass to San Diego Comic Con because he couldn't make it. it was last minute and I am trying to put everything together.
If you could give me a hand I will also draw anything you want for you, or a portrait, pet, or paint a mural in your wall.

But mostly this is such a great thing, I would love to be part of this comunity, to see the world and once I have a place to lend, offer you my couch and company.

Interests

• painting
• music
• guitar
• art
• nature
• playing guitar
• exploring
• acoustic guitar
• plein air
• sketchbook

Music, Movies, and Books

Music:
The Doors
Rodrigo y Gabriela
Natalia Lafourcade
Enrique Bunbury
Sad Music played with happy instruments

Movies:
Amelie
Porco Rosso
Mind Game
Ciudad de Dios
Tekkon Kinkreet
Truman Show
Mr. Nobody

Books:
Hitchhikers Guide to the Galaxy
All of Carl Sagan
Drawn to Life
The web of Life
Asimov
The Little Prince

One Amazing Thing I’ve Done

Growing up!

Teach, Learn, Share

I'ld love to teach, I can share drawing tips, guitar lessons, mostly how drawing is a life philosophy where you observe the world around you. Every face becomes beautiful, light becomes magic and the world and endless source of inspiration

What I Can Share with Hosts

I can draw for them, actually would love to draw at least portraits of them, I can share stories and folk tales from home.

Countries I’ve Visited

Nicaragua, Panama, United States

Countries I’ve Lived In

Canada, Costa Rica, United States