Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Heitor Martins Rissato. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.
Heitor, thank you so much for joining us. You are such a positive person and it’s something we really admire and so we wanted to start by asking you where you think your optimism comes from?
Family. Without my parents, my sister, my wife, and my close friends, I wouldn’t be where I am today or the person I am today.
Growing up, my parents always encouraged me to keep looking up, no matter the challenges I faced. They taught me to trust that any problem in my hands could be placed in God’s hands, and He would take care of it. But at school, things weren’t so easy. I was bullied—many times—for the way I looked, the way I spoke, and simply for being myself. That made me struggle with self-worth to the point where I once thought that the only way to solve my problems was to disappear.
But God had other plans. He always placed the right people in my life at the right time to help me get through those dark moments.
I can’t say I’ve completely overcome low self-esteem, nor do I have a perfect solution for it. The truth is, life is unpredictable—one day, we can have everything, and the next, it can all be gone. But what we can do is believe in ourselves and strive to be better than we were yesterday.
One habit that helps me stay positive is appreciating the little things around me—small moments that bring joy. It could be as simple as a sunny day, my wife’s smile, my sister’s laugh, or my dog running around with excitement. Focusing on these little joys reminds me that even on tough days, there’s always something good to hold onto.
Great, so let’s take a few minutes and cover your story. What should folks know about you and what you do?
I’m a graphic artist, which nowadays is such a broad field that it can mean many different things. My main focus and passion, however, is digital illustration. Ever since I was young, drawing and using my imagination was more than just a hobby—it was something that eventually grew into my profession.
Beyond illustration, I love being involved in the book and magazine editing process. My first job was with a publishing company, developing books for public schools in Brazil, and it was such a fun experience! More recently, I’ve also been exploring video editing—it’s definitely challenging, but I enjoy the creative process.
When I illustrate, one of my favorite things to do is spend time appreciating other artists’ work on social media. It’s incredible to see how people express creativity through shapes, colors, expressions, and ideas. That kind of inspiration fuels my own creativity and often makes me want to start drawing immediately. Bringing an idea from my mind to life through illustration is an amazing feeling.
If I had to highlight a strength, I’d say illustrating people. There’s something so dynamic about capturing fashion, culture, expressions, and body language—it makes each piece unique. As for areas I’m working on, I’m focusing on improving my ability to illustrate environments, animals, and natural elements this year.
Recently, I had the exciting opportunity to illustrate The Boy Mom, a book written by my friend Liesl Schuh. Holding the printed copy in my hands for the first time was such a rewarding moment, and I can’t wait to hear readers’ feedback!
In addition to my illustration work, I’m also involved with the Children’s Ministry at Trinity Baptist Church alongside Dr. Debbie Potter. All of us together as a team, we created the Ark Productions, where we produce short films about Bible stories. Our last project, actually, was a 17-minute Christmas movie called The Christmas Wish Machine, which is available on our YouTube channel. It was such a success that we’re now working on a new movie about the importance of friendship at church.
There is so much advice out there about all the different skills and qualities folks need to develop in order to succeed in today’s highly competitive environment and often it can feel overwhelming. So, if we had to break it down to just the three that matter most, which three skills or qualities would you focus on?
That’s a tough one. One thing that has always bothered me is when people say, “You’re gifted” as if my ability to draw comes naturally without effort. But I see it differently. While I may have a natural inclination for drawing, what has truly improved my art over the years is persistence—the drive to always learn something new. You can have all the talent in the world, but without practice and dedication, you may not get very far.
I believe there are three key qualities that make a difference in this journey: persistence, love for what you do, and not being afraid of trial and error. As an artist, I’ve had countless moments where an idea I thought was great ended up not working at all. But mistakes are part of the process—they teach us valuable lessons and help us grow.
If you’re a young Padawan in the arts, remember these three things: be persistent, love what you do, and don’t be afraid to experiment. Art is always evolving, and new tools and techniques are constantly emerging. Keep practicing, keep learning, and stay open to what’s out there—you never know what will take your art to the next level!
Looking back over the past 12 months or so, what do you think has been your biggest area of improvement or growth?
I’d say one of the biggest improvements I’ve made is giving myself time to process a drawing instead of rushing to finish it in a single day. This mindset shift really started after I asked a painter how long she typically takes to complete a piece, and she answered, “A month to two months.” That response made me pause and think—here I was, trying to finish everything quickly just to post it on social media, only to later notice so many flaws I had overlooked.
So, over the past 12 months, I’ve really been focusing on taking my time with details. Allowing myself that extra space to step back, revisit my work with fresh eyes, and refine it has made a huge difference in my art.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.behance.net/heitorrissato
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/heitor_illustrates/
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@TBCArkProductions
Image Credits
All images illustrated by Heitor Martins Rissato
so if you or someone you know deserves recognition please let us know here.
