Today we’d like to introduce you to Fallon Lopez.
Hi Fallon, please kick things off for us with an introduction to yourself and your story.
First of all, it’s thanks to anime for truly inspiring the younger me to pursue art. When I was younger, I felt too ashamed to admit I loved anime because it was sort of frowned upon (but I’m admitting it now). We have the power of anime and TikTok on our side folks. We truly can do anything.
I remember being 12 and thinking I wanted to be a comic artist just like all these Japanese artists who made these kickass animes. Somewhere along the way growing up, I gave up on that dream of becoming a comic artist. Because at the time, I didn’t think I had the drive and patience to pursue art seriously. I think though, my younger self definitely had this “all or nothing” mindset when it came to pursuing things.
Then in my senior year of high school, when we were all trying to figure out what to do with our lives. I realized I wanted to pursue art for real. So I went to ArtCenter College of Design for college and entered with the intention to be a storyboard artist and to work in animation. Then in the midst of college, I realized I hated doing entertainment art style work (still love the work itself, please don’t come after me ily). And I rediscovered my dream of creating comics.
In 2018 — I started making comics during my time in school, and I started uploading my comics online, which was very anxiety-inducing to do (even to this day) — because they were all such personal stories, but I felt like it was a good thing to share these stories.
I wanted to share my experience, but most of all — I wanted to have these stories resonate with people.
Drawing comics and writing helped me process my own experiences. A fun thing to realize as I’ve made these comics is that — time truly changes perspective. So even if I were to attempt to make a comic with the same subject from the past, it would probably skew very different results.
Drawing comics for me was like a moment where I felt like everything clicked like I found my true calling. That sounds exaggerated but I’m not lying when I say this. It finally felt like I found something that was truly “my thing” if that makes sense.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
No, it definitely has not been a smooth road. Post-graduation — I struggled with finding work, finding what I truly wanted to do, and my mental health. Truthfully, these are still things I struggle with, but I think I’m doing pretty good these days.
I have anxiety when it comes to using social media, but I’m working through it currently and I hope that it won’t continue to hinder me.
It’s a continuous battle I have with myself. Because on one hand, I want to be honest and use social media to promote my work and to connect to others (especially during this pandemic), and on the other hand, I just feel like I physically and mentally can’t do it some days. But it be like that sometimes.
I think with life, there are always gonna be these ebbs and flows. Sometimes you’re up and sometimes you’re down, and now, I realize that’s okay too. I can ride the wave and see what’ll happen.
Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
I make comics and illustrations mainly, but I am trying my hand at other things like animation. I would say I’m probably known for my comics the most. A good majority of my comics have been inspired by my childhood, growing up catholic, sexuality, mental health, relationships, and identity.
I make a lot of autobiographical comics and just life-inspired stories. I think a good majority of people who like my work like me because I have gay stories or are just looking for some authenticity.
My greatest strength in my work is my storytelling. I like to call myself a professional storyteller. I’m proud of myself for making it through school, for creating a self-published graphic novel, and just being able to keep going.
I think what sets me apart from others is that I try to turn all of my experiences into stories or lessons. My goal in creating my comics is to share an experience. I want to look back at my stories and feel like they are snapshots of that time that I was in. Like that feeling of going through an old photo album and remembering exactly where you were at the time.
Sometimes it’s nostalgic, and sometimes I do get secondhand embarrassment from it. But it’s part of the process, and I think that’s what makes it so great! Honesty can be embarrassing sometimes, but it’s also necessary in life.
I hope everyone can relate to my stories in some way. You don’t have to be religious, or gay, or even struggle with mental health. Even in those moments of uncertainty in our lives, I would like to convey that experience through these stories. The unsureness in life is something we can all relate to.
Can you talk to us a bit about happiness and what makes you happy?
A lot of things make me happy! First of all, food, reading, TikTok, Korean variety shows, music, animals. It’s all great!
Living in the moment and appreciating everything that I’m doing even if it’s the smallest thing makes me happy (at least that’s what I’m noticing these days). The simplest things are what make life enjoyable.
I feel like the thing that makes me happiest is when I’m not comparing myself to people and just focusing on right now. Sometimes I get too caught up in the future, and I’ve realized I need to let go. Worrying about the future has only made me anxious and afraid to move forward.
I spent so much time in college, daydreaming and worrying about the future. About getting that ideal office job at a well-known company, appearing as a fancy freelance illustrator on the New York Times, seeing myself gain thousands of followers, working at some well-known design studio, and being seen as “successful” when I see my peers.
I thought that was success up until I graduated school. But currently, I’m redefining what success truly means to me, and maybe being happy and living your best life is success. And the truth is— I’m not where I thought I’d be and I don’t have any accolades to show off to anyone at this moment.
But right now, I think I’m pretty happy. I’m done comparing my journey to every other successful person I see online, and I’m focusing on my own life currently. I definitely don’t know what I’m doing or what’s next, but I’m excited and optimistic about the future.
Contact Info:
- Website: fallonlopez.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/moonlingart/
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC_rQjXVUZczPksqNtztF6Hw
- Other: https://www.instagram.com/moonlingcomics/
