We recently connected with Diane Lopez and have shared our conversation below.

Diane, thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today We’d love to hear about when you first realized that you wanted to pursue a creative path professionally.

For some their creative journey starts off during art class when they are kids, but for some like myself that journey didn’t start until later in life. I think the little girl inside of me would be pretty surprised to see where I am at today.

My journey to adulthood like many others was a very difficult transition. I had to learn what it meant to be a human in our society and learn about who I am. Right after high school, I thought I had my whole life planned out. I was going to get a degree, have a career and family then that’s it. So I went to college with almost no direction & no idea what career path I wanted. These years of going to school really build the foundation of who I wanted to become but I wasn’t sure the path I would take after I left. This time of my life was the most difficult for me emotionally, and mentally. In 2017, I graduated Cal State Long Beach with a degree in Sociology & Minor in Women Gender Studies. I thought I was doing the right thing going to school, choosing a random career path and happiness will some how magically appear. I started my career as a counselor for teens who struggle with mental health issues. I had the life I thought I wanted and needed. I was helping and making a difference in other people lives. Deep down I was struggling and I knew this isn’t the life I wanted.

I felt like my life didn’t start until I decided I needed to take control of myself and create the life I want. I went through a spiritual awaking and began my journey of self discovery. I left my career after only four months of starting. I moved away from my career and found a job that would just get the bills paid. Not worried about my career, I really dove deeper into who I am as a person. This was the first time in my life, I felt like I had the freedom & space to be whole self. I was highly inspired my cousin who is a digital illustrator. I never thought I could be an artist and denied that it was even a possibility for years. My cousin gave me that create push to express myself through art. I explored different mediums but never picked a one for me. I was having fun learning more about myself through creation. With these moments, I felt like a little kid again looking at life with a different pair of eyes. I had moments where I understood life is what you want it to be. I can choose what experience I want for myself and I can choose happiness. During the difficult times in 2020, I had the time to focus on I want to do in this life. I quickly learned I wanted to be artist and entrepreneur. At 25, I finally called myself an artist and decided I would spend my life pursing my dreams of being a creative.

Diane, before we move on to more of these sorts of questions, can you take some time to bring our readers up to speed on you and what you do?

I am the creator behind Dreamy Comic Studios – a space where creativity, inspiration and a little bit of magic come together. I started my journey of being an artist & entrepreneur through my own journey of self discovery. Through many years of inner battles, I came to the realization that I can truly create the life of my dreams. We all have those voices inside of ourselves that is our internal guide to our hopes, our dreams and our life desires. Once I started to listen to my internal guide, I was pushed to achieve my dreams of being an artist & creative. I started my art journey with the idea that art has a power to uplift, empower and inspire all to achieve your dreams. Digital illustrating has been such an empowering way I can express myself and my art. I felt such power sharing my personal journey with others and this is when I started to make stickers. I know our world is filled with so much negativity and craziness. We aren’t getting enough motivation or inspiration to follow our wildest dreams. I want to be that artist who brings more love & positivity to our communities we so desperately need more of in our world. Each design I create is rooted in the inspiration that we all have the capabilities to achieving our wildest dreams. Whether it is a motivational quote, or whimsical characters, or some relatable art, the products I create is here to remind you to stay focused, stay creative and never give up on your dreams. Stickers were the start of my creative expression, I have grown my products to sticker books, stationery, keychains, and much more to come in the future. I am so proud to have the space and capabilities to express myself through my art and share that with the world. I feel I am still at the beginning of my art and entrepreneur journey since this isn’t my full-time job. I hope that I can inspire all creatives to explore themselves and be the living proof that if you keep following your dreams – you will make your dreams come true.

In your view, what can society to do to best support artists, creatives and a thriving creative ecosystem?

I wish we were all taught from a young age, we are all artist. I believe everyone has their own unique creative experience. If society can accept this, most of our can tap in our birth right of creativity. Once we can accept those facts, I believe our world can embrace everyone’s uniqueness with open arms. We all have something to offer this world and we have the power to create abundance through our creativity. Sharing more love and positivity through art can help everyone feel safe & inspired to thrive as artist & creatives.

What’s the most rewarding aspect of being a creative in your experience?

The most rewarding part of being a creative for myself is being able to create a community. I started doing in person markets & pop ups this year and I had the best time meeting new people, making new artist friends and sharing my art with others. I have made so many connections through my art which is so awesome to experience.

Contact Info:

• Website: Dreamycosmicstudios.bigcartel.com (closed for now)
• Instagram: @DreamyComicStudios
• Other: Tiktok: @DreamyCosmicStudios

Image Credits

My partner, Priscilla & myself at our first ever convention this year in February 2024.

A few pictures of my die cut stickers and sticker sheets.

A few table set up for markets, and local events in Las Vegas