Monthly Feature: Meet Hero's Heroes!

Hero's Heroes News

Jan 12, 2018 Hero Arts

We are thrilled to introduce you to another member of the Hero Arts family! There are many people behind the scenes who work hard every day to bring you quality products and inspiration. This is part of a monthly feature so you can get to know them a little better. We call them Hero's Heroes because they are how we do what we do!

Today we are spending some time with Raun Edano (he's the one on the right)!

What do you do for Hero Arts and how long have you been here?
I design and illustrate for Hero Arts. If you can't already tell, I am Robin's twin brother. There is actually a funny story behind how I joined Hero Arts in early 2015. During the busy season, Aaron (our CEO) joked that they needed to clone Robin. My brother replied "Well as a matter of fact I actually do have a twin who is an illustrator!". On my first day I came in, sat down, and went straight to work. No one really questioned why I was here or who I was, mostly everyone thought I was Robin anyway so I fit in like a glove. For the first couple of days some people thought they where having deja vu, wondering how Robin got from one place to the other so quickly.

When they brought me on board it was around the time they were first brainstorming about the My Monthly Hero kits. My first major task was to design the first monthly kit - the Color Layering Poinsettia –which was such a huge honor to do. Since then I've been designing kits like the Mermaid kit, Fairy kit, and the Sea Life kit. It is amazing to be a part of something that first started as an idea, and to see how it evolved to become what it is today.

What do you like the most about working here?
Working here is such a pleasure because I am able to create artwork that others enjoy and inspires further creativity. It puts a huge smile on my face when I see the beautiful cards that are made using our designs. I am so thankful for being a part of Hero Arts. Everyone at Hero Arts has a role they play and it is their hard work they put in that makes it such a joy to be a part of.

What are three words to describe Hero Arts?
Inspiration, Creativity, Teamwork

Is there anything about you that will help people know you better?
I have a huge soft spot in my heart for fluffy animals. I catch myself stopping in my tracks when I see a fluffy animal and I just want to run up to them and pet them. I have two family dogs, a rambunctious Labrador Border Collie mix named Sheba, and a feisty but timid Maltese Yorkie mix named Mila. The smaller dog dominates the larger dog of course. I also share a space with a tabby cat named Mewton, but it literally is like having another roommate, she even has her own rent that I have to pay. Her favorite things to do is finding the worst places to lounge; on top of a laptop that is in use, a freshly folded pile of laundry, or inside of a sock drawer. A funny thing about her is she manages to look like she is masterminding something terribly evil, but I promise you she is a very sweet cat.

I'm so fond of my pets that I try to sneak in designs of them into some of Hero Arts' products. There is a lab and a tabby cat in DC220 Fluffy Stockings Stamp & Cut, and you can spot a little tabby cat in CM151 Raining Cats and Dogs.

What is the kindest thing that anyone has ever done for you?
During elementary school Robin and I switched to a different school. Unfortunately we were placed in different classes and had separate recesses. I was so used to having my twin always at my side. I had a difficult time adjusting to the separation so I kept to myself and barely spoke to anyone, which made it difficult to make friends. Sadly I was bullied for being the shy kid that kept to himself. To avoid the bullies during recess, I found a far away spot in the playground where no kids played. At that spot there were these high pull-up bars, and I was able to climb up to the top. Some kids would try to reach me but it was too high for them to climb. Every recess I would go to that same spot to avoid the bullies. Then one day at recess I saw a new face, and she smiled up at me. She wondered why I was there all alone and asked if she could play with me. After that I no longer spent my recesses alone. She was the first kid to show me kindness and the first friend that I made at that school. She was my hero that day.

It is nice to spread a bit of kindness everyday - you never know, you might just be someone's hero one day.

Thank you, Raun, for telling us more about yourself. We are grateful that you share your talent with us.

Hero Arts

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27 Responses

Lori O.

January 24, 2018

This was so fun to read. Thanks for sharing with all of us. I love your designs! The sea life and mermaid ones were two of my favorites. I wish you much happiness and success.

Karen L K

January 21, 2018

It was so nice to hear your story! I had a cat growing up that looks just like yours and I now have a border collie lab mix along with another dog. Thanks for the nice thoughts on being kind.

Eve N

January 18, 2018

Hi Ruan. They need to let you design more of the monthly kits! Your designs are detailed, have a touch of whimsy and can be made sophisticated. Something for everyone!

Marjorie DUMONTIER

January 17, 2018

It’s so cute to know that designed cats are actually inspired by your true loved pets !!

Birgit Norton

January 17, 2018

I so enjoyed reading this and getting to know you Raun! I immediately knew you area worthy kind of guy because of your soft spot for animals. That is so me! When I was a little girl I found a chicken that had strayed from a nearby farm. I picked it up and asked if I could keep it. My parents remark: “where did you get that chicken?” I promptly replied that I found it and it needed a good home. We returned the chicken. I also came in from the sandbox one day asking for some lettuce. They asked me what I wanted the lettuce for and I said I wanted to feed the skunk. Sure enough they followed me outside to where a little baby skunk was hanging around my play area. I now have a dog and two cats (most recenlty three but sadly just had to put our old Adventure to rest). Anyway, sorry for the long book it’s just that reading about you conjured up all these wonderful memories for me. I love your illustrations! You do a fabulous job for HA!!

amy

January 17, 2018

Yay for Raun! Loved reading more about you!

Carolyn

January 16, 2018

I enjoyed your message and I think you have done a wonderful job. Your story was inspiring and I loved the fact that you brought in some of your personal life. I am an animal lover as well and I have a beautiful 16 month old Golden Retriever named Sara. She is my best friend and is so very patient while I do my scrapbooking and cards. Nice to meet you Raun.

Nanette Leiker

January 16, 2018

I love the florals I have seen! Your card is beautiful, and looks totally doable! Thanks for sharing your cards with us!

Bonnie Miller

January 16, 2018

Such a great story. Thank you for sharing.

Gwendolyn

January 16, 2018

Raun – you are a beautiful soul! Thank you for sharing your talent with us! Blessings!

Marianne B in AZ

January 16, 2018

I absolutely love this feature! It was fun learning about you, Raun!Unfortunately, I started the monthly hero kit too late to have the kits you Illustrated. I was going to order the Christmas Stockings set, but it was out-of-stock by the time I got to it . You do beautiful work, Raun! Thank you, everyone at hero Arts for the work you do that allows me to be more creative! I am definitely not an illustrator, so stamping allows me to “draw” and have so much fun!

I am going to go back to see if there are other Heros I have missed learning about. (I usually only shop here, but now I see I need to take time to look at the blog more often! )

Cindy C.

January 15, 2018

So nice to meet you Raun! It’s great to learn about the talented people at Hero Arts.

Henriëtte

January 14, 2018

I think its great that you, the Hero Arts team, let us meet your wonderful people. Thank you Raun for this lovely story and for all the joy you bring with your designs!

karenajo

January 14, 2018

Thank you for sharing some of ‘you’. It is great to learn where some of the super ideas for HA products originate from. Keep up the great work !

Joan Mills

January 13, 2018

Raun, you are one of the kindest and talented people I know.

Karthikha Uday

January 13, 2018

Great to know about you :)

Heather DePasquale

January 12, 2018

Great story! Wonderful to showcase twins working at the same company. Really appreciate all your artwork-both of you. Not a talent I have. That’s why I love to stamp and then add my own color. Blessings on your futures!

Carol K

January 12, 2018

love your cloning story ….

Lagene

January 12, 2018

Nice interview, I love hearing from people who love their jobs!

Aaron Leventhal

January 12, 2018

What a great post! We work only feet away from each other and I feel I know you better after reading this. Thank you for sharing from the heart.

Jean Heming

January 12, 2018

really enjoyed this article from Raun… He seems very nice and genuine…. I wish I could meet him in person!!!…He sounds like he loves his job and Iown some of his stamps!!!

Helen Potter

January 12, 2018

Loving meeting everyone at hero arts.

Marjorie

January 12, 2018

Thank you for sharing your wonderful story. I love the picture of your cat. One of my favorite collections is Raining Cats and Dogs. I’ll look for the tabby.

Joan Bardee

January 12, 2018

oh wow what a great interview! the last part surprised me. awesome guy!

Libby

January 12, 2018

It’s great learning a little more about you, Raun!

Beverley Hollis

January 12, 2018

It’s a real pleasure to “meet” the person who designed my favourite kit, the Mermaids! Raun, the Mermaid stamps have been out on my workbench since the day I received the kit and they get used far more often than any other set I have! I love MMH and I hope you design a Cat and Dog themed kit soon!