Today we’d like to introduce you to Pamela Lozano.
Hi Pamela, so excited to have you on the platform. So, before we get into questions about your work life, maybe you can bring our readers up to speed on your story and how you got to where you are today.
I am an immigrant from Venezuela. I graduated from law school back in Venezuela. My family and I were forced to immigrate due to the bad political situation in Venezuela. I moved to Dallas in 2015. Since then, I’ve engaged in various activities, starting with jobs like waiting tables, ridesharing, and delivery. Eventually, I transitioned into more professional occupations, such as tax preparer and photographer. Later, I entered the entrepreneurial niche, running a small food business in the Dallas Farmer Market. Unfortunately, we had to shut down due to COVID-19. This setback prompted me to reconsider my business perspective, leading me to import trailers from overseas. Simultaneously, I joined a fast-growing car business company as an executive assistant.
During this period, with a limited workflow and feeling incredibly bored in a place that didn’t utilize my talents, I began developing a new path. Keeping my artistic vein in focus, I planned the structure for AUTANA, which is what I’ve always wanted to do but never tried due to a lack of faith, faith in myself. Then, life happened, pushing me through challenges until I understood my motto and mission. Since then, I’ve been developing my brand, AUTANA, to showcase myself as an artist and share my work with the world.
For the past two years, I’ve been immersed in the world of Footwear Art, where I’ve painted numerous pairs of sneakers. However, my latest venture involves both the Deconstruction and Construction of sneakers. This entails starting from scratch, with soles on one side and an array of leather choices by the yard. The creative process involves gluing, sewing, and stitching the shoe together. To further develop my craftsmanship, I attended a workshop by Shoe Surgeon at @srgnacademy, an Academy founded by Dominic Chambrone (@thesurgeon) in New York. While this phase of my artistic journey is incredibly challenging, the results are worth every effort, as it opens up endless creative possibilities. I aim to blend both styles and continue creating more intricate and unique designs.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not, what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
Honesty, I don’t have a straightforward answer of whether it’s been a smooth road or not. I find myself in a space where gratitude coexists with an acknowledgment that life has thrown its fair share of challenges my way. There have been moments of comfort and moments of pain, creating a dynamic journey. Through it all, I’ve discovered my strength and resilience.
Life, in its unpredictable nature, has both favored and challenged me. However, what I can confidently say is that I possess the tools and skills necessary to navigate and figure things out. The combination of gratitude, strength, and a problem-solving mindset has allowed me to adapt and persevere through the twists and turns that life has presented.
Thanks – so, what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
I specialize in transforming standard footwear into unique, personalized pieces of art. This process involves employing various creative techniques to modify the appearance, color, texture, and design of shoes according to the client’s preferences, all filtered through my own vision.
– Proud of: I take pride in giving voice to those who are different—the disruptive, those who dare to reach new heights with confidence and creativity.
Individuality is the rule. We embrace madness and creativity to unlock your one-of-a-kind style.
– What sets me apart: My designs defy the conventional fashion, where thousands wear the same, and that’s precisely how we prefer it.
We are here to express ourselves and excel among others through wearable art.
What do you like and dislike about the city?
Omg, every time a flight out Dallas, I instantly miss it.
There is no better city to which I could have emigrated; I have so much to thank Dallas for. I love the fact that it is a city that, despite its exponential growth and inevitable transformation into a metropolis, still retains a sense of smallness. In the nine years that I have lived here, I have witnessed its growth, and its people have been incredibly kind to me.
One aspect that I find challenging is the cultural landscape. This observation is not unique to me; it’s a sentiment shared by fellow artists who are originally from here. Dallas, culturally speaking, feels somewhat backward compared to other cities, without having to go too far—Austin, for instance, provides a fair comparison.
I acknowledge the hard work that local artists and art entrepreneurs are putting in to bring about change. It’s been an uphill challenge because the citizens of Dallas may not be deeply immersed in the arts, or perhaps they need more exposure to the city’s artistic movements and attractions, which, contrary to popular belief, do exist—they’re just not adequately marketed. This extends to other areas such as events, music, performing arts, and more. We are lagging behind, and improvement is necessary. I refuse to resign myself to the idea that Dallas will forever be known only for its restaurants, bars, and shooting ranges. We are much more than that, and efforts are underway to showcase it.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.autanaartstudio.com
- Instagram: @autana__
Image Credits
Fernando Figueroa
