Art & Life with Lorenzo Lopez

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

Lorenzo, please kick things off for us by telling us about yourself and your journey so far.
I was always drawing when I was a kid. I would go to the library and spend hours there drawing the animals in wildlife books, Marvel comic book characters, or whatever intrigued me. My parents noticed my interest and got me private art lessons in my early teens, but I never really took it to serious until I was in college. During that time a friend of mine introduced me to my first art show at a local gallery and I was blown away. After that, I slowly immersed in the Dallas art scene. I spent the next few years painting and participating in as many group art shows as I could, while I worked a normal day job. My goal was to find a way to support myself painting.

My first experience in a tattoo shop I went and got a tattoo in Addison at Cat Tattoo. I just remember thinking everyone in there were like rock stars living the dream life. That really stuck with me, and a couple of years down the road I eventually got an apprenticeship at that very same shop. I spent three tough but great years there learning and growing. After I decided to continue my growth as an artist and moved to Denton to work at Dark Age Tattoo where I currently am. I feel very fortunate to have been able to work side by side and continue to learn from so many great artists.

Can you give our readers some background on your art?
I do a lot of portrait work when it comes to my oil paintings. Tattooing I have a few styles, but I like to focus on black and grey realism and neo-traditional. The message behind my artwork always varies. I am usually creating for someone and trying to convey what meaning they are wanting. As far as my personal art it depends on how I was feeling or what was on my mind when I made it. I believe once a painting is completed it takes its own meaning and persona to the viewer.

Do you think conditions are generally improving for artists? What more can cities and communities do to improve conditions for artists?
I don’t think being or trying to become a full-time artist has ever been easy. It takes a lot of courage and determination to make it. It’s definitely a roller coaster. You are basically your own business your own brand so at the same time you are trying to grow as an artist you have to figure out how to run a business and market yourself.

Today we have a lot of platforms to get our art out all over the world instantly. I’m constantly being inspired by artists daily through social networks like Instagram. But at the same time, those same platforms make it very easy to get caught up in comparing or thinking your art worth is represented by the number of likes it gets or followers you have, which is irrelevant.

Cities can help the arts by providing paid job opportunities, and not slashing but increasing the art budgets.

What’s the best way for someone to check out your work and provide support?
You can follow me on Instagram, @lorenzolopezart, where I post my paintings, my tattoos, and my everyday life as an artist. You can also check out my website lorenzolopezart.com where you can book tattoo appointments with me, buy art prints, or just check out my work.

Contact Info:

• Website: lorenzolopezart.com
• Email: artbylorenzo@gamil.com
• Instagram: instagram.com/lorenzolopezart

Image Credit:
Lorenzo Lopez

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