Check Out Josiah Lopez’s Story

Today we’d like to introduce you to Josiah Lopez.

Hi Josiah, please kick things off for us with an introduction to yourself and your story.
Hello my name is Josiah Lee Lopez. I have been a practicing artist for about 20 years plus. I primarily do paintings, illustrations and murals. I would say I’ve been interested in art since early childhood, always liked to draw. My uncle had this huge stack of comic books I would go through and read every time I would visit my grandma. My uncle was a painter and wood carver so he was probably my earliest influence. I also was a big movie monster fan and loved animation and comic books which still resonates in my current and past works.

I’m sure you wouldn’t say it’s been obstacle free, but so far would you say the journey have been a fairly smooth road?
As an artist, you have your ups and downs especially financially. I have my BFA from Metropolitan State University and my MFA from the University of Colorado at Boulder. That took some time to do, but I made it happen. When I was younger, I had my fair share of troubles being a graffiti artist but that comes with the territory. When I started to go to college, I headed in the direction of academia fine arts. So I was not so much focused on the streets like I was in younger years.

Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
I started out in the mid-’90s doing some graphic design work, illustrations, and paintings. And would occasionally do commissioned murals on businesses, restaurants, etc. My bread and butter is my paintings, I make the most money doing that type of art. Second would be murals but I can honestly say murals are not my favorite. They are very labor intensive and a pain. But if you pay me what I want, I’m flexible. I would say my favorite form of art for me would be illustrations, that’s what I started out with as a kid just drawing. I’ve taught some art classes at the University as well and that’s ok. I’m still a graffiti artist legal and illegal. I’ll always be an artist because it’s what I love to do. That’s what I’m most proud of.

Is there anyone you’d like to thank or give credit to?
Mentors would be my peers and family. My good friend and fellow artist Javier Flores always a huge supporter of what I do, known him since the days of Metro State. Of course my Uncle Randolph Lopez he is the person that paved the foundation for me in becoming an artist. And last my mentor and good friend Stevon Lucero he passed away last year he was a well-known Chicano artist from Denver. One of his current and last projects can be seen at Meow Wolf Denver. Much props and love to him; he gave me a lot of guidance and wisdom whenever I saw him.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.josiahleelopez.com
• Instagram: josiahleelopez
• Facebook: Josiah Lee Lopez

Image Credits
Image 1. Pillars of Nations. Acoma, Cherokee, Shoshone, Navajo. Murals based on textiles and ceramics of named nations. Mural in spray paint. Under 6th Avenue bridge between 6th and Lipan to 6th an Mariposa, Denver CO 2015 Image 2. The Mayan King Pakal In The House Of The Nine Sharpened Spears. Mural in spray paint. 12ftx22ft 3650 Morrison Road Denver CO 2017 Image 3. Santa Fe First Friday. Digital Photo 2021. Image 4. Lincoln Park ZPL. Digital photo 2022. Image 5. The thing that should not be. Ballpoint pen drawing on recycled paper 8inx11in, 2018 Image 6. Heroes Revisited (Homage to artist Carlotta Espinoza, first Chicana muralist in Denver and the American Southwest.) 5ftx2ft, 2018 Image 7. Pachucos y Sirenas Exhibition. Spray paint on multiple canvases Museo De Las Americas. 2018 Image 8. Westside 85 Big League Chew. (paintings inspired by 80’s pop culture) Spray paint on canvas. 5ftx4ft 2021