We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful AL Lopez. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with AL below.

Hi AL, thanks for joining us today. Did you always know you wanted to pursue a creative or artistic career? When did you first know?

The earliest instance where I heard that art could be a profession has to be when I was in my grade school art class. I loved my art teacher like she was my own grandmother and would frequently stay behind after class was dismissed to show her some work that I had finished prior to class, and on one faithful day after showing her some of my artwork, she sat me down and told me that I had potential to turn drawing into my profession and that, with the passion I already put into my art, a job like that would fit me perfectly. Even now those words play in my mind from time to time, I truly have my grade school art teacher to thank for getting me out of my comfort zone and setting me on the artistic path I am on right now!

AL, 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?

Before starting my little pop-up art shop, I was just a kid in love with the thought of creating a happier, more colorful world than the one I was in. There would be days where I would spend hours in my sketchbook, filling up page after page with all sorts of silly characters I could think up and with the help of the excellent support I got from my family, friends, and community, I realized that I could give other people a slice of that world little Al created! At Lopezart2006, we specialize in creating different designs of prints, keychains, stickers, tote bags, and so much more to spread happiness and creativity wherever our little pop-up shop goes!

For you, what’s the most rewarding aspect of being a creative?

Honestly, the most rewarding aspect of being a creative and just a young artist, in general, has to be when I get to see other younger artists out ‘in the wild’ when I am selling! I love sparking a conversation with them and just getting to know more about their artistic journey! Every single artist, young and old, I have met truly has inspired me and given me more motivation to keep on pursuing my craft, I truly cannot thank Kansas City’s artistic community enough for all of the inspiration they have given me!

Can you share your view on NFTs? (Note: this is for education/entertainment purposes only, readers should not construe this as advice)

I’ve made it very clear in the past (especially on my Instagram page) that I am 100% not for NFTs, and with the controversy and art theft that has been surrounding them recently, it just dumps fuel onto the fire of loathing I have for them honestly! Instead of spending thousands of dollars on one NFT, you could commission a remarkably talented artist and give them the financial stability that they deserve, while also supporting their dream of making art their profession. Truly I will always stand by commissioning artists and helping support their careers instead of supporting a field that steals from artists constantly.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://linktr.ee/Lopezart2006
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lopezart2006/
• Twitter: https://twitter.com/LopezArt2006