Check Out Lupe Flores’s Story

Today we’d like to introduce you to Lupe Flores.

Hi Lupe, thanks for joining us today. We’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
I was born and raised in Compton, California. My parents were from Mexico, and I grew up in a big household, always surrounded by family. To them, I was the quiet one, maybe even the weird one. I spent a lot of time at this old desk in my parents’ room, it felt like my own little space. I didn’t know what an artist was back then. I just made things because it felt right. Looking back, I guess that’s where my creativity really started, in those quiet corners where I could just be myself, usually with a pencil and paper in hand.

Later on, in high school, I had a teacher named Ms. Christensen who changed everything for me. I didn’t think much of my drawings, I just did them because it felt natural. But she saw something more. She saw potential. Her encouragement meant a lot, especially for someone like me who rarely spoke up. She helped me feel more confident in what I was doing, like maybe this thing I loved had a place in the world. She sparked something in me that had been there all along. And from there, I kept going.

I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
It’s taken time to get to where I am. I’ve always been more private, so putting my work out there wasn’t something that came easy. Even doing this interview is a bit outside my comfort zone. But each step forward, even the small ones, has helped me feel more sure of myself.

Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
I’m an artist who started by painting, then I began making cloth rag dolls, and eventually moved into polymer clay art dolls. I also design accessories, miniatures, and wooden niches. I enjoy working with my hands, there’s something special about handmade pieces. Each one feels a little different, a little more personal.

The feeling that connects all my work is a mix of nostalgia, mystery, and something a little eerie. I usually create based on a thought or feeling, and it makes me proud when I can turn that into something real.

At events, I get all kinds of reactions. Some people say “How cute,” others say it’s spooky and sometimes they just stare without saying anything at all. I like that my work brings different emotions. Everyone sees something different.

What sets my work apart is the style. It’s my own. And what keeps me going is the process, taking an idea that was just floating in my head and slowly turning it into something I can hold in my hands.

What makes you happy?
Creating makes me happy. I enjoy the whole process, from the first idea to the trial and error, even the quiet parts that take time. There’s something special about seeing a piece come together, especially when someone connects with it. When they really get it and decide to take it home, that moment means a lot.

My family is a big part of what keeps me grounded. And having my wife support what I do, that kind of support brings a different kind of happiness. It reminds me why I keep going.

Also, my doggies have been my little studio shadows through it all, always nearby. My blue heeler especially has become my own shadow, always with me at the studio. They make everything feel lighter. And in all of that, the work, the people, the quiet, I find my joy.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://blackwillowgallery.com
• Instagram: https://instagram.com/blackwillowgallery
• Other: https://instagram.com/lupesart

Image Credits
Lupe Flores