My name is Ricardo "Rikki" Velez and I came into this universe on July 6th, 1985 on the tiny but proud island of Puerto Rico. Though I was raised in the States, I never forgot my Latin roots and I pride myself as being part of the growing number of Hispanics in the visual arts industry. Growing up in the Waco/Austin area, I was exposed to a lot of artists of different ethnic backgrounds and seeing that was such a positive influence in my life. It inspired me to pursue a career as a digital artist despite whatever odds that may come my way whether it my race, my culture, religion, or anything else about me that people would try to use against me.