Gabriel Haro Acosta’s life is a canvas painted with creativity and resilience. Growing up with health issues that kept him indoors, Acosta found an escape in the pages of library books and the strokes of his own drawings. Now, alongside his wife, he immerses himself in the world of children’s book illustration, bringing whimsical stories to life for their young daughters and blending a rich family heritage of artistry with his own modern touch.
A family of artists
Acosta’s journey into illustration began with the rich artistic legacy of his family. His grandfather, an artisan in Mexico, painted murals in government buildings without any formal education. Acosta’s uncles, skilled carpenters, created furniture and artistic pieces imbued with cultural significance. Growing up in Tracy, California, Acosta found solace in the library due to health issues that limited his outdoor activities. The library became his sanctuary, and books his best friends.
“I wasn’t really allowed to be outdoors much, but the library was my escape,” Acosta said. “The best time of the year for me was the Scholastic book fairs. My parents did their best to buy me as many books as they could, and they encouraged me to do art.”
Discovering inspiration and fulfillment in illustration
Acosta’s love for books and art flourished in elementary school, where a teacher introduced him to bookmaking and storytelling. This early encouragement led him to explore graphic design in high school and junior college, where he honed his skills in computer design.
“I started graphic designing a little bit in high school and then took it into college,” Acosta said. “During COVID, I had my biggest growth because I could concentrate more on my designs.”
Acosta’s enthusiasm for illustration found a new dimension when he met his wife, who shares his love for children’s books. Together, they began creating storybooks for
their daughters.
“My wife loves kids and children’s books. She comes up with the storyboards and I do all the illustrations,” Acosta said. They have several books in progress, focusing on themes like the seasons, the alphabet, and the first day of school.
For Acosta, the process of illustrating is a deeply immersive experience. “The moment I get on the computer and start designing, the world stops. I can sit there for hours, just drawing and perfecting my work,” he said. His inspirations include Alvin Schwartz’s Scary Stories to Tell in the Dark and the Maurice Sendak classic Where the Wild Things Are.
A future in children’s literature
Acosta and his wife aspire to self-publish their children’s books, driven by a desire to create something positive and inspiring for young readers.
“We want to do something that can brighten up someone’s day,” Acosta said. Their journey speaks to the power of having a creative outlet and the importance of following one’s interests, no matter where they lead.
His artistic journey is intertwined with his family’s support and shared interests. His wife paints alongside him, and their daughters are growing up surrounded by creativity. “It’s easier to teach our children with little finger paints and keep them engaged,” Acosta said.
In every illustration, Acosta captures not just a story, but a piece of himself. Through the power of imagination, he invites us all to find beauty in the unexpected and to dream without limits. His work encourages us to see the world through a lens of wonder and possibility.
