Key Projects now:

Hey there!

I'm Joe Mruk - a fine artist, illustrator, designer, educator and writer living in the East End of Pittsburgh. I received my BFA at California University of Pennsylvania in 2010.
Since graduating, I've become involved with the incredible community in Pittsburgh, working on designs and illustrations for many great bands such as Godspeed You! Black Emperor, Waxahatchee, Dethlehem, Anti-Flag, Carousel, Wolf Eyes, and André Costello & the Cool Minors. I've worked on posters, identity packages and media kits for many large-scale events, such as the Deutschtown Music Festival, the Layer Cake Music Festival, the Eye of the Stoned Goat Festival, and the Strip District Music Festival. I have also collaborated with companies outside of the music realm, such as Tröegs Brewing Co. and Troika Skateboards.
I can be contacted to assist your band or event in any visual aspect, such as posters, album art and package design, as well as designs for shirts and stickers.
I have conducted classes for drawing and illustration for 9-12 year olds as well as adults at Wash Arts in Washington, PA. For three years, I coordinated and served as an instructor at asummer art camp for Lakota youth, as a function of the Warriors of the Lakota Charitable Foundation, on the Pine Ridge Indian Reservation, South Dakota.
Check out my résumé here and my list of exhibitions here.
You can buy the original drawings from my poster work here!
Check out recent interviews, videos and podcasts as well!
**Pittsburgh City Paper Interview**
**Tröegs Feature Video**
**Recital Feature - "The Art of Listening"**
**AP Collection Podcast**
**Sound Scene Express Interview**
**Dear Pittsburgh Interview**

HEY THERE!

I'm Joe Mruk - a Pittsburgh-based author- illustrator, creator, designer, and educator.

I’ve freelanced as Red Buffalo Illustration for
13 years. I received my BFA at PennWest California in 2010.

I’m the Regional Advisor for the PA West chapter of the Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators. I’m working on a middle grade book series, seeking an agent.

I teach Storytelling, Graphic Novels, and Digital Illustration for middle schoolers to adults at the Pittsburgh Center for Arts and Media as well as privately.

I enjoy reading, listening to records, and lifting weights as a novice strongman. I’ve recorded albums, produced woodworks and paintings for over a decade.

Key Projects now:

• A 6-book middle-grade novel series, Oslo
• A young adult southern gothic ghost story, August
• A picture book trilogy about attics, hallways and basements

I've worked on hundreds of illustrations for sports teams, tech-driven organizations, beer companies, recording artists, music festivals, magazines, charitable organizations, nonprofits, graphic design companies, literary groups, schools, theater companies, local stores and events, and plenty more.

Contact me for quotes! Please allow 4-6 months’ notice
before the launch of your product or event.

Writings & interviews:

“House Music” - The Pgher • City Paper Interview • Tröegs Feature

Hopeful Tragedy Records Q&A • Of Music and Mind Interview

"The Art of Listening" • Sound Scene Express Interview (One)

Sound Scene Express Interview (Two) • Dear Pittsburgh Interview

Cal U Review Cover Story

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Disclaimer: Red Buffalo Illustration / Joe Mruk wholeheartedly rejects the actions, cowardice and heartlessness of the Trump administration. Attacks on minorities, the LGBTQIA+ community and the rest of the world are unacceptable in civilized society. RBI seeks to strengthen community through creative practice, teaching and storytelling, hoping for a better tomorrow for our children.