Rafael Avila was born in São Paulo, Brazil in 1975. He studied at the Pennsylvania School of Art and Design and the Maryland Institute, and he now teaches drawing at School 33 in Baltimore. His illustrations have appeared in Prairie Journal Trust, The Mystery Review and Potpourri Magazine. He has also done work for local rock bands, storyboard illustrations for Eisner Communications and is currently engrossed in Naked Soul, a graphic novel of his own creation. Rafael cites comic books, melancholy song lyrics and German Expressionist art as his greatest influences. Samples of his work can be viewed at www.portfolios.com/rafaelavila.