Meet Adriana Lozano | Visual Artist

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

Hi Adriana, what was your thought process behind starting your own business?
The growth of my career has been a very organic process. I didn’t initially set out with a defined plan to build a career in the arts; rather, it developed slowly from a personal need to draw every day. After graduating, I moved to Buenos Aires, Argentina, where I worked in various jobs unrelated to art. However, I met talented artists and friends there who shared a deep love for drawing. Together, we naturally formed a community, gathering for drawing sessions that often turned into self-published projects, zine fairs, and exhibitions—driven purely by the joy of drawing and a desire to share this common passion.

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
I’m originally from Colombia and spent most of my time studying in Bogotá. I graduated with a degree in Fine Arts from the National University, a traditional public art school. Throughout those five years, I explored various mediums like graphics, painting, sculpture, and new media. However, after graduating, I realized that what I truly wanted to do was return to colored pencils, which I have enjoyed since childhood. Today, using colored pencils is a trend, but it wasn’t fifteen years ago. Balancing the time needed to pursue my passion with the time required to showcase results has never been easy. To sustain this work, you have to exhibit your art, but art scenes are not always friendly spaces. Social media, specifically Instagram, emerged as a helpful channel for me. While not without its challenges, it provides access to a vast audience.

After moving south and feeling more liberated in every aspect, I embraced a calm, collaborative, and loving artistic scene. Creating in a group is incredibly valuable to me; it was this supportive environment in Buenos Aires that convinced me to pursue drawing as a way of life. I learned that all I needed to do was put my butt in a chair and keep going.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
Ten years ago, I lived in Southern California for a short period of time, but just two months ago, I moved back to California, this time to the South Bay area. Both occasions involved long road trips that I immensely enjoyed, discovering and rediscovering beautiful natural parks.

Death Valley has always been a favorite, which I’d recommend visiting in winter. I also discovered the peaceful Santa Margarita Lake in San Luis Obispo County, a lesser-known spot with a stunning lake. Near Montana de Oro State Park, with its beautiful vegetation, we’d also stop at Oceano Dunes to enjoy the unique coastal dunes.

Recommendations:
Apple Pie at Linn’s Easy As Pie Cafe: A must-try dessert, paired with awesome coffee (remember, I’m Colombian!), just half an hour from Montana de Oro State Park.
Peggy Sue’s 50’s Diner: An iconic stop for a visually vibrant dining experience.
Ranch 1849 Restaurant: Close to the Texas Springs camping site at Death Valley. It may have pretty bad reviews on Google, but those are mainly from golf players. For campers, that buffet is a lifesaver.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
I want to give a Shoutout to the amazing group of women artists in Buenos Aires that I call “Las Yiyas.” Over the years, we’ve built a wonderful friendship and support system, always cheering each other on. A huge thank you also goes to my “partner in crime,” who inspires and encourages me in every way. I honestly couldn’t do this without his support.

Website: https://club.monstra.us/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/adriana_lozano_roman/