Urretxu, 1975. Josu Maroto has a degree architecture from the San Sebastián Advanced School of Architecture. He has always loved drawing, ever since he was a child, but over the last 6 years has dedicated himself wholeheartedly to this activity. He is a member of the Urban sketchers group and loves drawing live. He carries a sketchbook diary with him at all times and his first reaction to any discovery or event is to whip it out and start drawing. In this sense, he also contributes to the De vuelta con el cuaderno and Sketchcrawl Euskalherria blogs. The help and opportunities offered by the Internet to make his work known to others and to explore their work in return has been an important source of motivation for Maroto.

He is also active in the world of caricature, and last year rubbed shoulders with some of the world’s best caricaturists at the Vienna Eurocon event, winning 3rd prize in the traditional caricature category. He is a founding member of the Euskal karikaturak group.

He has participated in a number of live events, and in collaboration with the poet Andoni Salamero and the pianist Jon Goenaga, created Zu zeu olerkari, which has been performed in some of the Basque Country’s most significant venues (Arantzazu, Kristina Enea, Antio Chapel in Zumárraga). He also drew live at the Popular Opera organised by the towns of Urretxu and Zumárraga.

Today, he is also involved in the world of illustration, and in addition to working with the Elkar group, his illustrations are published every week in the weekly magazine Goiberri.