Today we’d like to introduce you to Diana Laura Muñoz.
Hi Diana Laura, we’re thrilled to have a chance to learn your story today. So, before we get into specifics, maybe you can briefly walk us through how you got to where you are today?
I’m originally from Guadalajara, Mexico. I spent half of my life growing up in New York City. At a young age, my father would bring back art pieces, architecture, interior design, and art books from New York that would influence me to experiment with drawings and art. Although I always considered myself an artist, I never pursued an art degree. During my time living in NYC, I developed interests in philosophy, politics, and economics. I wanted to understand how the world works politically and economically, and I pursued a degree in philosophy and political theory at Hunter College with the intention of going to law school. While studying politics and economics, I found inspiration for my artwork and devoted my free time to painting. Drawing inspiration from other fields helped me build my career and balance my art. I found inspiration from other fields that helps me to build my career and balance my art life.
My first art show took place on the first day of the pandemic lockdown in March 2020. Before the show, while on my way to pick up coffee, my friend Visser asked if I was interested in collaborating on a show with their band. The show was amazing, but also a little scary since I wasn’t sure what was happening outside. After the show, I decided to stay calm and focus on painting from home. At first, I enjoyed the solitude, but after a year, things began to change. My paintings took on a different path, tone, and texture, creating a beautiful escape from reality. I painted every feature of my face and every position, losing track of time and space. I became scared that nothing would change, so I packed up and took a flight to Guadalajara to start a new change.
Upon arriving in Mexico, I had a lot of ideas of what I wanted to do. I got myself a car, learned to drive, got my license, and started traveling to small towns and exploring other cities and the ocean. I loved to isolate myself and surround myself with beautiful spaces. I found inspiration in the stunning views, taking my camera with me, and sketching some drawings. Although I wasn’t interested in doing landscapes, I was fascinated by the moment, time, and space that inspired me to work on my art. I felt that I was looking for beauty in nature, culture, music, and people. After spending a year in Mexico, I decided to bring all my materials and a small piece of artwork back to NY to continue pursuing my art and to grow in my career. I am now back with a lot of ambition, inspiration, and motivation, and I appreciate being back in the city again.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
It can be tough when I find myself repeating the same type of work. In those moments, I push myself to explore different fields, read an article from economics or science, or take a flight to a different country. I take my time and try to do something different that doesn’t necessarily need to be related to art because sometimes inspiration can be hidden in the least likely thing I think of.
Although the road to success can be tough, I have made a commitment to myself to not stop painting until my fingers can no longer move. For me, art and my work career are intertwined, and I believe that one cannot survive without the other. While I don’t solely rely on my art to survive, I see it as a path to challenge myself, find joy in what I do, and simultaneously pursue my career.
While navigating the ups and downs of my career, I’ve realized the importance of surrounding myself with the right people. I prefer to be with a small group of friends who challenge me, fulfill my questions, and influence me. It’s essential that they come from diverse backgrounds and have different careers because their ambitions can become stories that influence my artwork and career. I enjoy sitting down with them, meeting for coffee and engaging in fascinating conversations, exchanging ideas, and strategies.
As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about what you do?
I am an artist and I am pursuing a law career and clerk at a firm and/or court. I am navigating.
What do you like and dislike about the city?
Having lived in New York City for many years, I appreciate how the city can swallow you whole if you don’t have a clear sense of purpose. It’s important to take a break from time to time, to travel to different places, experiment, and make mistakes. But don’t stay away for too long, because you might end up falling in love with another place. Instead, return to NYC with renewed purpose, goals, and ambition, and strive to achieve them. This city has no limits, and if you can make it here, you can make it anywhere. It’s crucial to know what you want and to protect it, because that’s what makes the journey beautiful.
The least thing I like about NYC, it’s how dirty it can get.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: @studiodilamu @Iamdilamu
Image Credits
All credits belong to Diana Laura Muñoz Preciado
