ABOUT ROCKY

Rocky Casillas Aguirre is a Mexican and LGBTQ visual artist, cartoonist, and children’s book author and illustrator, originally from Tijuana - a border town and the largest city in Baja California. His work combines humor, imagination and storytelling to explore mindfulness, mental health, and our sense of self.

He is the founder of Rokaturas, a MN-based arts and entertainment studio dedicated to destigmatizing mental health through books, animations, and safe experiences where conversations can happen, including galleries and workshops. He is best known as the creator of Twitch and the Mystic Weenie, a middle-grade graphic novel series following a sheltered flame and an ancient hotdog on a magical adventure of self-discovery.

Rocky is on the Board of the Northfield Buddhist Meditation Center, is a Teaching Artist at COMPAS, and a member of the national Bring Change to Mind (BC2M) club founded by actress and activist, Glenn Close. In partnership with these organizations, Rocky engages thousands of young people across Minnesota public schools, libraries, youth centers and shelters.

Rocky’s books and public art have been featured by KARE 11, MN Public Radio (MPR), Northfield News, Barrio Latino, and KYMN. Additionally, his animations have been selected and screened at film festivals, including the MN State Fair.

“I didn’t grow up in a household that talked about mental health or had books about emotions as a kid. So, ensuring mental health resources are accessible to new generations is really important to me. I launched Rokaturas after taking refuge in art and meditation to overcome years of panic attacks. And now, through my whimsical characters and stories, I share mindfulness tips and lessons learned while on my own healing journey in hopes of helping others.”

Remember you are infinite.

With metta,