Denise Vasquez
Referred to by the press and media alike as a “Modern-Day Renaissance Woman,” Denise Vasquez is an award-winning, multi-talented published writer, artist, actress (SAG-AFTRA), author, comedian, singer, songwriter, guitarist (ASCAP), and photographer. Known for her captivating energy, heartfelt storytelling, and thought-provoking performances, Denise has built a remarkable creative career spanning entertainment, music, film, television, comedy, literature, and visual arts—earning numerous honors, accolades, and rave reviews from the press along the way.
Born and raised in New York City, Denise has lived an extraordinary creative adventure, traveling the world and sharing her talents with all of her heART. Her journey has taken her through Scotland, London, the U.S. Virgin Islands, California, and now Nevada, with each experience adding another chapter to her ever-evolving artistic story.
A natural performer from an early age, Denise stepped onto a stage for the first time at just four years old and instantly discovered what would become her creative home. For more than five decades, she has captivated audiences through acting, comedy, music, dance, improv, and sketch comedy, continuing to evolve as an artist while embracing every opportunity to create, perform, connect, and inspire.
AWARDS & RECOGNITION
Denise Vasquez’s creative career has earned recognition across film, music, writing, and the arts.
Today, Denise stars in KARMA IS COMING, the original dramatic series she wrote and created. The series earned two awards at the Zeal International Film Festival in Paris—Best Web Series and Best Trailer—and was also recognized as a Semi-Finalist for Best Actress and Best Short Script. The series was subsequently named an Official Selection at the GainesCon Film Festival in Las Vegas, marking another milestone in Denise’s journey as an independent filmmaker.
Among Denise’s many honors are the Inspired Creator Award, Worthy Works Award, five ASCAP Plus Awards, the Songwriters Monthly Future Chartists Award, a Westlake Studios Artist Development Deal, and a publicity campaign award from Audioxposure.
Her music career has also received significant industry recognition. Denise was featured on Music Connection magazine’s Hot 100 List for six consecutive years, was nominated for Female Vocalist of the Year and Album of the Year by the LA Music Awards, received five Mavric Music Award nominations, and was recognized by the Recording Academy in five categories.
Together, these honors reflect Denise’s longstanding commitment to creating original work across multiple disciplines and her ability to continually reinvent herself while remaining true to her artistic voice.
Festivals
Denise has had the honor of performing, hosting, exhibiting, and producing festivals throughout her career, spanning film, comedy, music, theater, and the visual arts. Highlights include:
Zeal International Film Festival — Paris, France | Best Web Series & Best Trailer for KARMA IS COMING | 2026
World Series of Comedy Festival — Tacoma Comedy Club, Tacoma, WA | Top 40 Comic | 2026
Yucca Valley Film Festival — Yucca Valley, CA | Art Exhibit | 2022
Yucca Valley Film Festival — Yucca Valley, CA | Panelist, Art Photography & Art Films | 2021
Ventura Comedy Festival: Laughter by the Sea — Ventura, CA | Comedian | 2015
Shaq's Next All Star — Hollywood, CA | Comedian | 2015
Celebrating Life Music Festival — Hollywood, CA | Host, Singer, Songwriter & Guitarist | 2013
i2Y Cancerpalooza Hollywood, CA - | Singer, Songwriter & Guitarist | 2009
Benefit For Los Angeles Homeless Service - Los Angeles, CA | Singer, Songwriter & Guitarist
South Central Farm Aid - Los Angeles, CA | Singer, Songwriter & Guitarist
World Vegan Day — Los Angeles, CA | Singer, Songwriter & Guitarist
Method Fest - Los Angeles, CA | Singer, Songwriter & Guitarist
WorldFest — Woodley Park, CA | Singer, Songwriter & Guitarist | 2005
Relay for Life — Pasadena & Huntington Beach, CA | Singer, Songwriter & Guitarist | 2005
Summerfest Brea with Peter Frampton - Brea, CA | Backup Singer for Fallout Police Tribute Band | 2004
Women for a Cause Music Festival — Hollywood, CA | Producer, Host, Singer, Songwriter & Guitarist | 2004
Festival Of The Egg - NOHO, CA | Singer, Songwriter & Guitarist | 2004
Songsalive Expo - Los Angeles, CA | Singer, Songwriter & Guitarist | 2002
Hunab Music Festival — Cozumel, Mexico | Singer, Songwriter & Guitarist | 2001
Ladies Night Music Festivals I–VI — St. John, U.S. Virgin Islands | Producer, Host, Singer, Songwriter & Guitarist | 1999–2000
Bringing Peace to Paradise Festival — St. John, U.S. Virgin Islands | Singer, Songwriter & Guitarist | 2000
Carabana Ensemble Theatre Company Festival of Short Plays — St. John School of the Arts, U.S. Virgin Islands | Writer & Actress | 1999
Arts Alive: Festival of Women in the Arts — Tillett Gardens, St. Thomas, U.S. Virgin Islands | Singer, Songwriter & Guitarist | 1998
Upcoming:
GainesCon Film Festival — Las Vegas, NV | Official Selection for KARMA IS COMING | 2026
Training
Denise has trained at numerous prestigious institutions, including The Lee Strasberg Theatre Institute, The Puerto Rican Traveling Theatre Training Unit, and Weist Barron in New York City; the Ivana Chubbuck Studio, UCB, and LA Connection Comedy Theater in Los Angeles; and the St. John School of the Arts in the U.S. Virgin Islands, as well as through SAG-AFTRA Conservatory programs and other private workshops.
Throughout her career, Denise has appeared in numerous feature films, television shows, music videos, industrials, educational productions, and other entertainment projects. Whether performing on stage, in front of the camera, working behind the scenes, or expressing herself through writing and visual art, she brings a distinctive combination of creativity, energy, humor, authenticity, and heart to everything she undertakes.
An artist in every sense of the word, Denise continues to create across multiple mediums, using her heART, voice, and soul to entertain, inspire, provoke thought, and connect with audiences.
Visit IMDb.me/DeniseVasquez to explore her acting credits and discover more about her work.
Comedy
In the 1990s, Denise discovered her passion for live comedy after auditioning for and being cast in Joy Newman’s Grown Ups Playground, where she performed improv at the New York Comedy Club. She went on to perform with Los Banditos De Chocolate at Shetler Studios and with the W.E.T. Girls (Women Experimental Theater Group) sketch comedy troupe at the Clemente Soto Vélez Cultural & Educational Center.
Her dynamic stage presence soon caught the attention of casting directors, including Ryan Shiraki, leading to television appearances and featured roles on Saturday Night Live, John Leguizamo’s House of Buggin’, and MTV’s You Wrote It, You Watch It, hosted by Jon Stewart.
Denise began her stand-up comedy journey in 2013 and quickly began earning bookings on comedy shows and festivals. She has headlined at Curtain Call Cabaret in Oregon and The Bonfire Las Vegas, has Featured at The Roxy Ann Winery in Oregon, Delirious Comedy Club at Silver Sevens Hotel And Casino in Las Vegas, The LA Comedy Club at Ballys Hotel And Casino in Las Vegas, Broadway Comedy Club in New York City, New York Comedy Club in New York City, and more. Denise was selected as a Top 40 Comic to perform at the 2026 World Series of Comedy Festival at Tacoma Comedy Club, and she has been featured on numerous podcasts, including The Power of Connection: Las Vegas Community Spotlight Podcast and Comedy or Worse, recorded at Madhouse Comedy Club in San Diego. Denise was also a runner-up in The Fourth Wall Comedy Cafe Showdown Showcase in Hollywood.
A versatile performer, Denise has also hosted, produced, and performed in her WO+MEN 4 APPLAUSE comedy and music variety shows at Flappers Comedy Club in Burbank and the TCL Chinese Theatre in Hollywood, six Ladies Night Music Festivals in St. John, U.S. Virgin Islands; Social Butterfly Night in Hollywood; WO+MEN 4 A Cause events around Los Angeles and Arizona; and Observations at The Duplex Cabaret in New York City.
Her extensive performance credits also include The Ice House Comedy Club, Mi’s Westside Comedy Theater, The Pioneer Saloon, Mom’s Basement Theatre, AREA15, Wiseguys Comedy Club, The Comedy Store, Laugh Factory, Ainsworth at Hard Rock Hotel & Casino, Bally’s Hotel & Casino, Shetler Studios, The Comedy Palace, The Ha Ha Cafe Comedy Club, and many more.
Denise’s momentum in comedy was interrupted when a workplace accident left her in a wheelchair for three years. But, as she sings in her song “Back On Track,” she is back and standing up again, literally.
Today, Denise is performing again and developing new material, with plans to release her fourth comedy album and special featuring her original comedy songs and stand-up. With her quick wit, infectious energy, fearless creativity, and inspiring story, Denise Vasquez continues to bring a distinctive voice and perspective to the comedy world.
Writing & Storytelling
Denise is an award-winning multidisciplinary writer whose work spans film, television, comedy, poetry, journalism, music, theater, and visual storytelling. From an early age, she began writing monologues, poetry, plays, songs, sketches, and short stories exploring social issues, the human experience, and cultural commentary.
Her body of work includes socially conscious pieces such as The Broken Bottle (alcoholism), The Washcloth (abuse), Man (homelessness), and I Am America (neglect), reflecting her commitment to creating emotionally honest and thought-provoking work that inspires awareness, empathy, and conversation.
Denise is the writer, creator, and star of the dramatic series KARMA IS COMING, which has received official selections and recognition at film festivals, including the Zeal International Film Festival in Paris, where it was recognized for Best Short Script and Best Trailer, as well as the GainesCon Film Festival in Las Vegas.
She also creates original sketches, scenes, short films, skits, and stand-up comedy content through SCENEarios on YouTube and Instagram, using humor and storytelling to explore subjects including womanhood, disability, relationships, internet culture, and her experiences as a New-You-Rican.
As a visual storyteller, Denise created the ongoing Award Winning Series Disabled Photographer Project and How Accessible Is Accessible series, documenting her experiences navigating accessibility barriers while advocating for greater awareness and improved ADA accessibility. Her work combines personal experience, photography, humor, and social commentary to shine a light on the everyday realities of accessibility and inclusion.
Her journalism has appeared in PROMOTE Magazine, Lonely Planet, Canon PhotoPlus Magazine, and Examiner.com, where she served as the Los Angeles Cultural Events Examiner for six years.
As a performing songwriter, Denise has received five ASCAP Plus Awards for her original music. Her poem What Is Love, a reflection on self-love, received the Editor’s Choice Award from the International Library of Poetry and was published in the anthology Dancing in Light.
Her play Sisterhood, which explored female gangs, bullying, and the importance of empowerment, was selected for presentation by Carabana Ensemble Theater Company for their Festival Of Short Plays at the St. John School of the Arts in the U.S. Virgin Islands, where it received critical acclaim.
Denise’s creativity extends into the world of entertainment art and collectibles. She has created thousands of official sketch cards for major entertainment and trading card companies, including Cryptozoic Entertainment, Topps, Official Pix, Breygent Marketing, 5Finity Productions, Sadlittles, and The Art Hustle series. Her artwork has appeared in iconic franchises including The Walking Dead, Star Wars, Indiana Jones, Mars Attacks, Clone Wars, Terminator Salvation, Woodstock, Archie Comics, and more.
Her extensive experience in the sketch card industry inspired Sketch Card Mania, a how-to art book published by Penguin Random House/Impact Books/F&W Media, which she co-authored with Randy Martinez. The book features drawing lessons, artist showcases, demonstrations, and professional advice for aspiring sketch card artists.
Among Denise’s most notable writing milestones was being invited to become the first ever guest blogger on Stan Lee’s websites, an extraordinary honor that marked another significant chapter in her career as a writer and storyteller.
Across every medium, Denise’s work reflects the same creative philosophy: to use her voice, imagination, humor, and heART to tell stories that entertain, challenge, connect, and inspire.
Photography
As a photographer and visual storyteller, Denise Vasquez uses photography to explore identity, place, accessibility, beauty, and the human experience. Her work combines personal perspective with artistic expression, often transforming everyday experiences into compelling visual stories.
Denise received the Inspired Creator Award for her ongoing Disabled Photographer Project, a deeply personal body of work documenting her experiences as a disabled photographer while navigating accessibility barriers and advocating for greater awareness and inclusion.
Her photography and perspective as a visual artist have also led to invitations to participate in panels, exhibitions, and creative conversations around the country. She was featured on the landscape photography podcast Then Wait Podcast, participated in a panel at the Yucca Valley Film Festival, where her work was also selected for exhibition, and appeared on the Portland Art Museum panel Claiming Connection: Cultivating a Relationship with Place as Disabled Artists.
Denise has also presented her work in her own gallery and gift shop in Joshua Tree and has been selected for the San Diego Fair Photography Exhibition two years in a row. Her photography has been exhibited at the Ventura Museum Pavilion and MK Gallery, among other venues.
Her photographs and visual storytelling have been published and featured internationally and nationally in PROMOTE Magazine, National Geographic Your Shot, Canon PhotoPlus Magazine, CanvasRebel, SD Voyager, About Town Magazines, Examiner, Quadro Magazine, Malvie Magazine, Dreamy Magazine, Edith Magazine, 6X Blush Magazine, and numerous other publications.
Through her lens, Denise continues to document not only the world around her, but also her own journey through it. Her photography reflects her belief that art can be both beautiful and purposeful, creating connection, challenging perceptions, and giving visibility to experiences that are too often overlooked.
Hosting, Presenting & Panels
Denise Vasquez has been hosting events, moderating panels, presenting demonstrations, and engaging audiences both live and on camera since 1999. With her natural stage presence, quick wit, enthusiasm, and ability to connect with diverse audiences, Denise brings the same energy, authenticity, and versatility to hosting that she brings to her performances.
Most recently, Denise hosted the Ladies Choice Comedy Show at Mom’s Basement in Las Vegas, presented by The Future Is Female and The Sapphic Society. She has also served as a substitute host for The Beach House Open Mic in Henderson and as an emcee and opener at Buck’s Tavern in Las Vegas.
Denise is also the creator, presenter, producer, and host of her WO+MEN 4 APPLAUSE comedy and music variety shows, which spotlight talented women working across the entertainment industry. Featuring comedy, music, dance, spoken word, and more, the shows were created to celebrate artists, build community, and provide performers with a platform to shine.
Her extensive hosting and producing credits include Ladies Night Music Festivals I–VI in St. John, U.S. Virgin Islands; Social Butterfly Nights I & II in Hollywood; WO+MEN 4 A CAUSE events in Los Angeles and Arizona; Acoustic Wednesdays and Bingo Night at El Guapo Cantina; Music Mondays Open Mic at Paladino’s in North Hollywood; and co-hosted events at the Hard Rock Cafe Hollywood, including VH1’s Save The Music with Shane Tucker.
Whether hosting a comedy show, music festival, open mic, panel, fundraiser, or variety event, Denise brings an engaging, professional, and genuine presence to every stage, keeping audiences entertained, connected, and part of the experience.
As an accomplished visual artist, Denise has demonstrated her painting techniques on MTV and for Holbein USA during San Diego Comic-Con. She has also presented a live, one-on-one streamed “How-To” session, organized and moderated Panels on “Being a Professional Artist”, “Tricks Of The Trade”, “Self Promotion For Artists” at San Diego Comic-Con.
Her extensive event experience has taken her to conventions and creative gatherings including JediCon in Germany, Comicpalooza in Texas, and the Chicagoland Entertainment Collectors Expo, Dragon Con in Atlanta, among many others.
Her industry presentations and demonstrations have included appearances for Daisy Rock Guitars and Audix Microphones at the NAMM Show in Anaheim, as well as panels and presentations surrounding her co-authored art book, Sketch Card Mania.
Whether she is behind a microphone, moderating a panel, demonstrating her craft, interviewing guests, performing, or giving artists a platform to be seen and heard, Denise brings enthusiasm, professionalism, humor, and genuine connection to every event.
Denise lives to share, create, and inspire in a positive light, inviting audiences to experience the journey with her.
Music
As a musical artist, Denise Vasquez is an award-winning singer, songwriter, guitarist, and performing artist whose music has taken her to stages, festivals, showcases, radio programs, and legendary venues across the United States and internationally.
Her live performances and music have been featured on KCLA 99.3 FM, KWSS 106.7 FM, KPFK Arts In Review 90.7 FM, 88.5 FM “Tied to the Tracks,” VM Underground, and other radio and media outlets.
Over the years, Denise has performed at an extensive range of industry showcases, festivals, benefit events, and music series, including Music Connection Magazine’s Best Kept Secrets, The NAMM Show, KBH Showcases, Shout It Out Promotions, Circle of Songs, Brett Perkins Listening Room Series, Songsalive Showcases, Sheena Metal Presents, Worldfest, Summer Fest, World Vegan Day, South Central Farm Aid, LA Homeless Service, Far West Conference, Relay for Life, Cancerpalooza, Peace Thru Music, Dessert Songfest, Method Fest, Bringing Peace to Paradise Festival, Arts Alive, and numerous other events.
Her international performances have included venues and events in Mexico, the U.S. Virgin Islands, England, Ireland, and Germany, including The Cavern Club in Liverpool, the legendary home of The Beatles, The Dublin Castle in Camden, London; The Annesley House in Dublin; Coffee Evolution in Huddersfield; Under the Boardwalk in Sheffield; and JediCon in Düsseldorf, Germany.
In the United States, Denise has performed at many notable venues, including The Roxy, The Viper Room, The El Rey Theatre, The Music Box, The Rainbow, The Key Club, The Mint, The Cat Club, The Joint, Club Lingerie, The Hard Rock Cafe, The Derby, El Cid, The Knitting Factory, Harvelle’s, The Bitter End, The Duplex, 55 Bar, The Burren, The Cavern Club Room 1 & 2, and many others.
She has also performed throughout California and beyond at festivals, coffeehouses, theaters, clubs, bookstores, resorts, and community events, including performances at The Westin Resort and Caneel Bay Resort in the U.S. Virgin Islands, as well as numerous Ladies Night and WO+MEN 4 A CAUSE events throughout the U.S. Virgin Islands, California, and Arizona.
As an independent recording artist, Denise has self-produced and released three albums: Frame of Mind, Live in One Take, and Fighting Darkness, released through Social Butterfly Music (ASCAP). She wrote the music and lyrics, sang, and played guitar on all three albums, establishing herself as a fully independent singer-songwriter and musician.
Denise is currently writing new original comedy songs for her fourth album, continuing to blend her love of music and comedy into a style that is distinctly her own.
A longtime advocate for the artists and musicians whose work inspires her, Denise proudly endorses and enjoys working with Epiphone, Audix Microphones, and G7th Capo.
From intimate listening rooms to major industry events and legendary international venues, Denise continues to use music as another way to tell stories, connect with audiences, and share her heART with the world.
Artist & Designer
As an artist and designer, Denise Vasquez has built a distinctive reputation for creating imaginative, unconventional, and highly collectible pop-culture art. Her love of all things geek has become particularly well known throughout the Star Wars universe and beyond. While Denise has created numerous original characters and designs throughout her career, she is perhaps best known for her signature glow-in-the-dark, Día de los Muertos-inspired Star Wars artwork, which has earned worldwide attention from fans, collectors, media, and industry professionals.
Among her notable Star Wars creations is a glow-in-the-dark, Día de los Muertos-style “Arturito” designed for Sideshow Collectibles’ R2ME2 Project, which was exhibited at San Diego Comic-Con. She also designed the Día de los Muertos-style Darth Vader T-shirt and Boba Fett Tank Top for Her Universe, with the designs also made available through Hot Topic and Disney.
Her original FRANKENVADER Helmet, a glow-in-the-dark creation combining Darth Vader with Frankenstein-inspired imagery, won 1st Place in the HalloweenCostumes.com Vader Helmet Contest. Her other Star Wars creations include a glow-in-the-dark Día de los Muertos Vader Helmet and custom vinyl dolls created for the “Art From a Galaxy Far, Far Away” gallery exhibition.
Denise also designed an Avatar Trooper Helmet for the 501st Legion TK Helmet Project, which was auctioned during Star Wars Celebration V to benefit Make-A-Wish.
Her work has attracted significant international media attention and has been featured or covered by outlets including Reuters, BBC, CNN.com, WIRED, The Huffington Post Arts, /Film, MTV Geek, Her Universe, Hot Topic, StarWars.com, MTV, Nerdist News, Patron of the Arts, Stan Lee’s websites, The Mary Sue, io9, Edge On The Net, Music Connection Magazine, Arts Avenue, Geek Shirts HQ, Daily Trojan, Comic Attack, Forcecast, TheForce.net, Galactic Binder, MintinBox.net, ToysREvil, Angry Koala Gear, Following The Nerd, Poparitaville, and many others.
Custom Vinyl Art
Since 2007, Denise has also become known for her custom vinyl toy art, transforming blank vinyl figures into highly detailed, one-of-a-kind works for companies, private collectors, celebrities, galleries, and entertainment personalities.
Among her most notable commissions are the Stan Lee Custom Vinyl Munny Dolls, created for Stan Lee and later featured alongside him in Morgan Spurlock’s Comic-Con Episode IV: A Fan’s Hope, on page 89 of the accompanying book.
During San Diego Comic-Con 2012, MTV Geek invited Denise to paint a celebrity live on camera. She chose to create custom vinyl Munny dolls of renowned chef and television personality Anthony Bourdain, painting them live while Bourdain was being interviewed by MTV.
Two of Denise’s custom Conan O’Brien Munny dolls, “Conan O’Brien & His Horny Teddy” and “The Glow-in-the-Dark Flaming C” were featured in Conan O’Brien’s “COCO MOCA” Museum of Conan Art on Team Coco’s website.
Denise also designed and created the Steve Sansweet Mighty Mugg for Lucasfilm’s “The Empire Muggs Back” project. The piece ultimately became part of the collection at Rancho Obi-Wan, where it resides alongside other Star Wars artwork created by Denise.
Her custom vinyl creations have been exhibited and displayed at venues including Kidrobot LA, as well as galleries and art exhibitions throughout the country. Her clients and collaborations have included comedian Donnell Rawlings, DKE Toys/Adfunture, Angry Koala Gear, 3Coconutmonkey, Bean Pot Toiz, Vinyl Thoughts 2, Hold Up Art Gallery, Chuck Jones Gallery, and others.
Whether creating a collectible character, transforming a blank vinyl figure, designing wearable art, or reimagining an iconic pop-culture character, Denise approaches each project with imagination, humor, craftsmanship, and an unmistakable personal style.
Her work continues to blur the boundaries between fine art, illustration, design, collectibles, entertainment, and fandom—proving that being a true multidisciplinary artist means there are no limits to what the imagination can create.