We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Anthony “ant” Lopez a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.

Alright, Anthony “Ant” thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. Do you think your parents have had a meaningful impact on you and your journey?

My first drawing that I remember my parents being proud of and making an impact on me was when I was like 5 or 6 years old. It was a drawing of a skateboarder with this huge melon shaped head wearing overalls. I drew the skateboard with four wheels instead of just two, to show some kind of depth and I remember my parents where really impressed with me adding those two extra wheels. I didn’t think it was a big deal but to them it was something to be proud of and I liked the way that made me feel. I wasn’t athletic and my dyslexia made me feel at times less than normal, so this was something that made me feel special. As I got older I started drawing on anything I could find like my sister’s notebooks, loose pieces of pin-fed printing paper and even old roller shades that my dad replaced. My parents would take me to Michael’s Craft Store to buy sketchbooks, graphite pencils and other supplies. They would always encourage me to enter art competitions and display my art at different events. My parents always supported and nurtured my creative side, from buying supplies to letting me airbrush my bedroom walls with comic book characters to words of encouragement. Even to this day, when I create a new piece, make stickers or a new shirt design my parents are always my first customers. Their encouraging words and gestures have made an lasting impact on my career and mindset by keeping me in a positive head space, grow as an artist and being proud of the work I’ve created. I know if they wouldn’t have let me pursue my passion as a child I wouldn’t have lasted and art would have just been a thing I would have grown out of.

As always, we appreciate you sharing your insights and we’ve got a few more questions for you, but before we get to all of that can you take a minute to introduce yourself and give our readers some of your back background and context?

I’m a freelance artist, my company name is Ant’s Graphix, I produce art and designs inspired from my childhood, 80’s/90’s pop culture, music, comics, sci-fi, video games and local folklore. My style has been described to me as pop art, comic book style and “grungy art”. I’ve helped develop characters for independent writers for comics, I’ve created logos, shirts, stickers and flyers for local bands. I have participated in local art contest for Pabst Blue Ribbon and Blue Moon Brewing Co. I vendor at local mini cons, Purrsona Presents Shows, I am also a regular at New Braunfels First Friday and participated in ArtSlam for several years.
I help my client’s thoughts and ideas come to life and educate them on their marketing possibilities. I understand that its just not my art that is being represented but also my client’s ideas and dreams, so I do my best to keep my client’s message clear. It’s a big step to have someone put their hands on something close to the heart and I get that, so I treat the product with respect and make sure my client’s product is represented to the best of my abilities.

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

For me the most rewarding aspect is someone either coming to my table when I’m vending or someone looking at my Insta page and one of my pieces unlocking some kind of memory, Like I have a Earthworm Jim piece that people go, ” oh man! I loved playing that game when I was a Kid.” and sharing memories of that game or whatever the case may be. Another rewarding aspect is talking to kids about my journey to become an artist, the ups and downs, the support from my family, the education I needed and to never, never give up on becoming an artist.

How can we best help foster a strong, supportive environment for artists and creatives?

The best thing anyone can do to support the artist is to purchase artist work, attend their shows/ exhibitions. Pay an artist what they deserve, what may look easy has taken an artist years to shape and strengthen. Share and promote artists on social media word of mouth is always the best. Hire artist to do a commission piece, don’t use AI generated art. Support young artist and creatives by educating them on how art enriches and adds culture to the communities.

Contact Info:

• Instagram: antsgraphix
• Facebook: ant’s graphix