Meet Daisy Velasco | Painter & Teaching Artist

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

Hi Daisy, what led you to pursuing a creative path professionally?
I chose an artistic career because, from a young age, creating art has always been my therapy. It has been my way of understanding my feelings and expressing what words couldn’t. Growing up, I didn’t have many resources for learning art. The city I lived in didn’t offer art classes, and our schools lacked art programs. But there was one thing that sparked my interest: the PBS kids’ show Arthur, illustrated by Marc Brown. Toward the end of each episode, Brown would spend a few minutes showing how to draw the characters. I remember running home from school, eager to grab my pencil and paper to try and recreate what he had shown on TV. While the characters from Arthur may not resemble my current work, they were my first gateway into the world of illustration.
This simple, yet profound, influence led me to believe that art could not only be a form of personal expression but also a tool for connection. I may not have had access to formal art classes, but I realized if Marc Brown could teach kids how to draw on television, maybe I could bring something similar to my own community. I wanted to offer others the chance to learn and use art as a way to express themselves, just as I had done.
Creating art has been my way of processing the complexities of life, especially when I feel exhausted from keeping everything inside. Through art, I can communicate the things that are difficult to say out loud—emotions, thoughts, and struggles that might otherwise remain hidden. Art, for me, is a bridge between my inner world and the world outside. It has been incredibly fulfilling to know that my work resonates with people.
My artistic journey led me to become a teaching artist with Stay Gallery in Downey, where I have the opportunity to share my love for art with others. This role allows me to connect with the community and offer them the same chance I had when I was younger: the opportunity to explore their own creativity, express their feelings, and be part of something greater.

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.
Through my work, I want the world to see the intricate interplay between family, tradition, and identity, on how these forces have shaped both my life and my art. My narrative paintings explore the psychological drama embedded in the every day, drawing from the emotions of a chaotic home environment where disruption and male dominance are common. These works are deeply personal and offer a lens into the complexities of my upbringing as a first-generation Mexican-American.

The process of creating my art often begins with photographing my family and incorporating theatrical practices to capture the surreal within the familiar. I explore visual anomalies within familiar environments, from my home to my slightly off-kilter backyard. The composition challenges the expectations of how space can be occupied, reflecting on both beauty and complexity. These distortions, inspired by the vibrant and intricate dynamics of a Mexican household reflect the tension of tradition.

La Familia (family) is important to my Mexican culture, embodying dignity, honor, and deep respect. For me, this cultural value is both a source of strength and a framework that I have had to navigate in carving out my own identity. Growing up, traditional values and gender roles played a significant part in shaping who I am. While I find these traditions beautiful, they also presented challenges when I decided to pursue art as a career. My family were uncertain about the stability as an artist and encouraged me to consider a field like nursing. I can’t even look at my own blood when I have minor injuries so, either way, I wouldn’t have succeeded. Yet, despite their initial doubts, I viewed their concerns not as obstacles but as opportunities to educate them and bridge the generational gap between their expectations and my dreams.

My parents were born in Mexico, where opportunities were limited and profoundly shaped their perspectives. One parent completed elementary school, and the other finished high school. Their resilience and sacrifices became a foundation for my determination to succeed. Helping them understand my passion for art and its potential was a critical part of my journey. Over time, their support has grown, and their trust in my vision is one of my greatest achievements.

Pursuing an art career has brought incredible opportunities, such as showcasing my work at the Straat Museum in Amsterdam, the Felix Art Fair in Los Angeles, and exhibiting in local community spaces like South Gate Museum. These experiences have taught me invaluable lessons, not just about building connections but also about navigating the practical challenges of the art world. Pricing, shipping, curating—these are things universities don’t teach, and I’ve had to learn by doing. Like my mom always says, “Just ask—it won’t hurt you,” has guided me in reaching out to other artists and seeking mentorship. This willingness to learn and connect has been a key part of my growth.

Overall, what I want the world to know about my story is that art is not just a career but a bridge—between generations, cultures, and identities. It’s a way to transform personal struggles into universal narratives, to honor tradition while challenging its boundaries, and to inspire others to embrace their own complexities. I hope it encourages others to see the beauty in navigating their own intersections of identity and tradition.

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?
I have lived in Los Angeles County, but I grew up in a small city called La Puente, located in the San Gabriel Valley. I didn’t grow up in the main part of the city, so I am still exploring what Los Angeles has to offer. I would recommend two hiking trails that were an important part of my childhood.

Peter F. Schabarum Regional Park
Azusa Canyon has a few good trails. (Sadly parts of it caught on fire over this summer 2024 and I am not up-to-date on closures.)

If we are visiting the main city I would recommend visiting:
LACMA
La Plaza De Cultura y Artes
Thinkspace Gallery
Stay Gallery
Tierra Mia Coffee (good tres-leche muffin)
Wurstkuche
Slurpin Ramen Bar

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
I would like to express my deepest gratitude to my family, whose support has been a guiding platform throughout my journey. First and foremost, I am forever grateful to my mother, Maria Velasco, and my older brother, Juan Velasco. My mom has always been there for me, especially during the darkest moments, offering comfort when I felt on the verge of giving up. My brother, Juan, is not only my hero but also my best friend. He has taught me the invaluable lesson of perseverance, showing me that I am capable of rising above when others try to bring me down.
I would also like to acknowledge my friends, particularly Ruth Manzo, who has been my personal cheerleader. Ruth spends her free time keeping me company in the studio, offering encouragement and support as I paint.

Instagram: @tinyriot_

Other: Email: daisyvelasco057@gmail.com