Meet Armando Lopez | Shaman/artist

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

Hi Armando, why did you decide to pursue a creative path?
Well, I originally thought that I belong within the norms of society; having a 9 to 5, coffee and donuts for your 15 minute break, etc. After a while, I started to see that not only did I not want to be a part of that, but in more recent years, it feels like I can’t be a part of that.

As much as I try to simply integrate and be a normal part of society, one way or another I alienate myself. As such the reason for pursuing a creative profession, changed.

Now I am simply happy to have the opportunities that I have been given and creative outlets have been put on the back burner due to the necessity. At least, in a main stream point view. If that makes any sense.

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
I don’t think my work necessarily stands apart, but then again, I don’t think anyone’s work sets itself apart from anyone else’s. And I mean that in the sense that there is no true distinction from one human being’s art to another.

We all create art, one way or another. Be it literally or figuratively. And while of course, inspirations, backgrounds, driving forces, etc. do differ. Not the core of it. All is what I believe to be the essence of what it is to be human. We create, and we destroy. And there’s a whole lot of destruction in our history. There’s a whole lot of destruction in my history. Either doing the destroying or being destroyed.

So I think that’s why we create. Not that there’s anything wrong with destruction. I mean after all it’s necessary. You can’t create without destroying something. It may be on a different level like comparing destroying a building, to destroying a concept. But it’s destruction nonetheless and the creation that comes out of that at least when it comes to my work, it’s some thing that I hope balances out that destruction.

That and other ideas are something that I always try to integrate into whatever I do. And while it definitely sounds like a positive thing and in someways, a lot of ways it is/might be. It doesn’t come without its drawbacks i.e. people lashing out because your ideas distort their concepts of life, beliefs, or even their very sense of reality. And yes, that does include my own.

But despite the almost stereotypical “artistic“ journey, that includes battles with addiction and mental health, which, thanks to social media (TikTok), I have learned that it’s not stereotypical at all, and in fact, has led me to the truth that being an artist of any kind is a catalyst of battling demons of some sort or another? I do what I can. Both in life and art. Mainly in life these days, but yeah.

I was going to summarize but my self doubt is making me take a step back, and now I’m even questing why I’m doing this. So all my ideas are pointing toward some random form self destructive, rather than sitting here and finishing this.

I guess you could say that’s one thing that’s become a goal of mine with whatever little work I do these days. Showing others the importance of keeping up with your mental health. Either through my actions, my stories, or mistakes I’ve yet to make.

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?
Number spot in LA would be downtown. It’s one of most anxiety inducing places for me currently, due to how people drive. But, it’s so real. It’s perfect representation of life, in all its aspects. Good and bad.

For the good though, I love little Tokyo the most. Admittedly, I am a bit of a Japanophile, so I may be a bit biased on my opinion of this. But it’s not only a great place with lots of shops and restaurants, etc,. I love the architecture of the square and the general layout.

But outside of LA, you’ve got Gardena, Torrance, Venice, Santa Monica. There’s loads of places, and I’ve got several stops under my belt. Usually they’re tea shops or spots to eat or a hole in the wall bar where you can have a drink, but there’s so much to choose from I’d end up filling up pages worth if I was to name and describe them all.

I mean, it’s LA. There’s so much to do here, so many people to talk to. I hope to some day travel to other countries and get to know as much as possible, but LA? It’s my home and I’ll always love it here.

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
My mom and dad, may he rest in peace. Especially my dad. We all have flaws, and my dad was no different. But he accomplished so much during his life. And he believed in damn near everything I did. My band, my art, etc.. And that did help me to keep pushing even when I’d give up.

Recently I’ve stopped almost permanently with everything I’ve tried to do, and I think I just now, in this very moment, realized that it’s because he’s gone that I’ve allowed myself to almost totally slow down. I should try again, for his sake.

But I suppose that’s why I’m filling this out. Hoping that this leads to something that will light a fire under me again and push me to create again.

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