Meet Danny Zavala | Artist, Founder of Stein’s Hollow Art Gallery, & Vice Chairman of Cultural Arts Commission for city of Chula Vista

We had the good fortune of connecting with Danny Zavala and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Danny, what do you attribute your success to?
I believe the most important factor is having a strong foundation of support from my family and loved ones. Without it, the slightest inconvenience would make it crumble. Also, believing in oneself and being your own number one fan is important because even with all the support around you, at the end of the day, it’s just you and your dream. You are the only one who can see your dream come to fruition, so you must believe in yourself and not let anything put you down.

Last but not least, staying motivated and hungry for knowledge, learning how to make improvements and see what you can do to fix it. Never stagnant but always flowing, stay active and do not ignore your dream by putting it aside for a couple months or weeks.

Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.
My art style came from influences of street and pop art. Warhol, Basquiat, Haring, Fairey, & Banksy are some of the artists I look up to and find inspiration in their works. When I was around ten years old I saw the documentary “Exit Through The Gift Shop”, and that really opened my eyes to the possibilities of what art could be and what it means to be an artist.

My style is a utilization of mixed media such as, stencils, acrylics, spray paint, markers, & paper collages. I always try to add a bit of my culture in my works whether it a be a pattern, symbolism, or the piece telling a story itself. I always try to include my Mexican roots. I primarily use stencils combined with paper collages to create stories on the canvas. I don’t think my art separates itself from the others because nothing is original, “ a good artist understands that nothing comes from nowhere… all creative work builds on what came before…”

I began to draw because I’ve always loved cartoons and old Disney movies. I was always fascinated with the way characters and settings looked and were created rather than the story itself. I use to sketch with my dad in our old kitchen drawing tanks, character designs and graffiti letters. Then in college my mother told me I should take my first art class and see if I like it. That art class changed everything for me, and my life took a whole new direction. It was not easy trying to be a “ starving artist”
I would wake up almost every morning at 7 am on my days off and go outside with my dog, Achilles, sit down and just watch videos trying to draw cartoon characters, call friends on FaceTime and give them a mini art class by helping them draw their favorite characters, and just doodle all morning long. I eventually tried to get into local art shows but most the shows, the organizers already had their group of buddies that would be in every show so it was hard to get in as a newbie. About a year in with no luck getting in shows or finding opportunities, my father told me, why don’t I do my own art show instead, you can always be in your own shows, he joked.

So I started Stein’s Hollow Art Gallery with my friend Hector and a goal in mind. Be different than the local shows by allowing every artists, beginning or professional, an equal opportunity to showcase their work in a safe space. It is important to have this equality because it helps kickstart an artists career or find opportunities by meeting and networking with each other at our shows. Also, by creating the gallery the community comes and enjoys art with their family and friends. It is a gift to witness every show and it never gets old

We didn’t just stop with the gallery, we wanted see what else we can do with art. So we wanted to fill this void in our city and create an art movement by building a community and show that we should not be overlooked for there is so much talent in this city. We want there to be more opportunity for artisans in the city.

I am most proud and excited to have created the first annual Chula Vista Art Fest. A collaboration between my gallery, Stein’s Hollow and the city. When the city came to me asked for help on putting on a an extravagant art event, it was an honor to finally be able to make a change. The event is on September 30th 2023, it is a giant outdoor art show with over 30 exhibiting artists including live painters, over 40 art vendors, food trucks, a stage for live music and performances, and ending the event will be an outdoor family movie night. I hope with the success of this event, it will be able to continue annually and become bigger and better than I could ever imagine even if I am involved or not.

I hope the world will know me as someone who just wanted to make the world a better place through my art and just having a good time while doing it. . I hope my brand will be known as a beacon of hope and joy for artists and art lovers.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
Some of my favorite spots to go to in San Diego would be the Zoo and Balboa Park area, such much history in the museums and architecture, you can be there all day and night. The zoo of course is right next door and is a great place for an all day walk and experience seeing so many exotic animals. Of course being a California kid the beaches all along the coast are fun like Mission Beach and Belmont Park. Seaworld was always a fun place to go with my siblings riding the roller coasters and seeing some shows.

Now food is whole another story, there’s so many cuisines to chose from and of course Mexican being the best. It would be impossible to make a list of the places to eat. A few places I’ll mention would be Lolitas taco shop, but my personal favorite would have to be Sayulitas. The Empanada Spot has some bomb empanadas. In- N-Out for a quality burger, Phil’s BBQ for some protein and my nana’s cooking is the best in the west.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
There is a some people I would like to shoutout. The first being my mother, stepmother, and father, without them I would not be the man I am today. I could never thank them enough. My girlfriend who has been with me through thick and thin, always has my back no matter what. My five siblings who make me laugh and proud to be their older brother. Last but not least my partner in crime Hector Suchilt, who helps curate and direct Stein’s Hollow. My best friend of 20 years, he is an excellent artist who helped me navigate my way through the art world.

Instagram: @_zavalasketches_ @steinshollowgallery