Meet Lisa Lopez

Today we’d like to introduce you to Lisa Lopez.

So, before we jump into specific questions, why don’t you give us some details about you and your story.
It was definitely a shot in the dark! I didn’t start drawing much until college, I struggled to understand what I cared about enough to pursue. At Hartnell college, I ended up sticking with art classes only drawing for assignments. Once I was on track to apply to other schools, my art prof. said, “You should go to Cal State Long Beach, it’s a good school, I went there.” It was the only university I applied to, and I got in! (That’s verbatim why I applied.) In Long Beach it hit me how ignorant and careless I was about the subject of art. I realized the difference from my community back home; there’s no shortage of hardworking people, but resources just aren’t the same. At CSULB, I was technically a junior, yet I had no idea of measurement, lighting, no life drawing experience, composition, form… missing core fundamentals.

I’d have to thank all the people I’ve crossed paths with. I knew I had so much more to learn if I wanted to improve and asked a ridiculous amount of questions. My first figure drawing class scared the heck outta me and I was absolutely terrible. When I meet people and hear their story, their passion, it’s like that’s what lights my fire. I just kept cultivating a new drive to improve and learn more! My peers never fail to amaze me. I’ve certainly made mistakes and with time I see how choices I’ve made steered me off, even downhill, but now that’s just more insight. For me, art is something I can’t possibly be bored of because there’s so much to discover down this rabbit hole, haha. I’m sporadic and honestly struggle with confidence, right now I’m trying to just have fun with my art and get out of my comfort zone.

We’re always bombarded by how great it is to pursue your passion, etc – but we’ve spoken with enough people to know that it’s not always easy. Overall, would you say things have been easy for you?
Nope! It’s a wild ride. I felt alone for a majority of the time, taking on a monster whether born from my own pressures or living in a society I didn’t feel a sense of belonging. To keep it light, the support I have now is much better than growing up.

I can’t seem to escape how I feel from the state of which I’m drawing; which can be very powerful. Becoming an artist, I never expected to learn as much about myself and grow simultaneously with my art. Taking critique, being open to various perspectives, constantly reverting back to square one learning a new program or design theory, managing time and racing against deadlines or learning from masters’ of the past, there really should be a label. Something like doing self-portraits requires facing yourself and all else that entails.

It’s a scary world, perhaps because it feeds of authenticity. There’s going to be many challenges that are out of my control, I need to focus on what is and adapt.

Please tell us more about your art.
I’m fresh out the gate in terms of skill, haha. I’m a visual artist who just graduated from California State University Long Beach earning BFA in Illustration/ Animation. There’s good line quality and energy in my work, at least I’m told. I think learning the basics of animation definitely loosened and gave freedom to my drawing. I have a heavy hand and my subject relies heavily on the figure since I love anatomy. I use color in a more intuitive sense. Sometimes I catch myself correlating my art to my person, a nasty habit for sure.

Some of my favorite artists are Kathe Kollwitz, Costa Dvorezky, Sainer Etam, James Jean, Saturnino Herran and Kehasuk. I’m not sure what sets me apart, I hope to just enjoy drawing for as long as I can, really. Currently, I am improving my portfolio and experimenting with more traditional mediums. I would like to work for the animation industry (visual development) creating stories, messages to be devoured visually. I think the dream would be, to be recognized for my work, maybe become a professor someday!

Has luck played a meaningful role in your life and business?
Everything seems to even out. When something great happens, the opposite occurs. I think luck doesn’t happen without some effort in the dark. There were certainly unexpected opportunities I jumped into; then the air-headed quality of mine pops. I’m lucky to have come this far, meet wonderful people and build a foundation of knowledge I can take pride in, to which I’m very grateful. I think for artists, it’s falsely believed as a right of passage to be your own worst critic, luck is something that can pass if you constantly doubt yourself! Perhaps I could’ve done more, but playing the what if game is a sure way to lose sight of who you are. I wish everyone the best of luck!

Contact Info:

• Website: lisazepol.wixsite.com/website
• Email: [email protected]
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/_skisi/

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