CREATE
YOUR OWN
NORTH STAR
MORE THAN JUST A STUDIO
🎨 We're a creative mentorship for neurodivergent teens, young adults, and working artists.🧠 Building real-life skills through storytelling, art, and structured support🌿 No pressure. No experience needed. We meet people where they are.
Scroll below for more info!
What We Do🌈
We use creative projects like drawing, storytelling, and world-building to build real-life skills:• Starting and finishing tasks
• Communication and social comfort
• Emotional awareness and regulation
• Planning and follow-through
• Confidence and independenceIt’s not just about making art.
It’s about helping people grow through it.
✊ART IS A HUMAN RIGHT
We believe creative expression isn’t extra—it’s essential.For many neurodivergent individuals,
creativity is how they:• Communicate
• Process the World
• Build Confidence
• Connect with OthersArt isn’t just something we teach.
It’s a way to develop real skills, identity, and independence.Because when someone has a way to express themselves, everything else becomes more possible.
👥 WHO THIS IS FOR
• Neurodivergent Adolescents (ages 12 to 17) and Young Adults (ages 18 to 24)• Creatives who feel stuck starting or finishing things.• Creatives who need structure and support.• Anyone looking to build confidence and independence. **
Programs We Offer
We use different creative paths to help people build skills, confidence, and independence.🌱 You don’t need to do everything—we start with what interests you and build from there.
✏️ DRAWING & ILLUSTRATION
Learn how to express ideas visually through sketching, character design, and visual storytelling.Builds focus, observation, and creative confidence.
📚 COMICS & MANGA
Create stories through panels, characters, and sequences.Supports storytelling, structure, and completing multi-step projects
🎞️ANIMATION
Bring ideas to life through movement and sequence.Builds patience, sequencing skills, and attention to detail.
📖 STORYTELLING & WRITING
Build worlds, develop characters, and write stories.Helps with communication, organization, and expressing ideas clearly.
🎮
GAME DESIGN & WORLD-BUILDING
Create characters, systems, and interactive worlds.From tabletop games to story-driven environments, this supports problem-solving, planning, and big-picture thinking.
🗂️ PORTFOLIO & PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT
Build personal projects and develop a body of work over time.Learn how to organize, present, and talk about your ideas in a clear and confident way.Supports consistency, follow-through, and preparing for next steps.
PROGRAM FORMATS🧠
👤 1-on-1 Sessions
Personalized support based on your pace, goals, and interests.👥 Small Group Sessions
Work alongside others, build social skills, and share ideas in a supportive space.🎨 Workshops (One-Day or Short-Term)
For schools, organizations, or community groupsWe use simple, hands-on creative tools that are easy to jump into but still meaningful and engaging.All programs are available in person or online
WHAT A SESSION FEELS LIKE🧩
Every session follows a simple rhythm so it feels comfortable and consistent:💬 Check-in
We talk, catch up, and ease into the session🎯 Set a Goal
Pick something to focus on⏸️ Short Break
Reset and get ready🤝 Share
Talk about ideas, interests, or work in a safe space🛠️ Work Time
Create, build, and explore with guidance🔍 Wrap-Up
Look at what worked and what didn’t➡️ Next Step
Set direction for next time
🪽 Our Team
Dustin Garcia
Founder & Lead MentorDustin Garcia is an artist and educator with an MFA in Comics and over 15 years of professional and teaching experience across all age groups, including at the college level. He has taught drawing, comics, design, animation, and digital media, working closely with diverse and neurodivergent students. His mentorship centers on accessible, studio-based learning that builds creative confidence, communication, and independence.
Jules Rivera
Artist & MentorJules Rivera is a syndicated cartoonist with over 15 years experience in comics, animation and visual communications. She taught storyboarding at the university level, developing her own textbook for teaching storyboarding to students with no artistic experience. Jules' mentorship focuses teaching through demonstration and breaking down big concepts into small, bite-sized pieces. She has a Bachelor of Science in Engineering.
J.T. Vernon
Social Worker & MentorJusten Vernon is a California-based Licensed Clinical Social Worker and telehealth therapist specializing in anxiety, trauma, and emotion regulation. Their work draws on evidence-based approaches including DBT, EMDR, and trauma-informed care. Known for turning complex challenges into clear, measurable plans, Justen combines compassionate clinical insight with structured tools and practical strategies clients can use between sessions. Alongside clinical practice, they create narrative-driven games, comics, and mentorship resources. Their teaching style focuses on demonstration, breaking big ideas into small, manageable steps that feel achievable and motivating.
📲 READY TO GET STARTED?
❓ Questions?
📩 Contact Us
© Dos Alas Studios. All rights reserved. 2026
