Meet Dani Ayala | Illustrator

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

Hi Dani, where are your from? We’d love to hear about how your background has played a role in who you are today?
I am from Van Nuys, California and grew up in the San Fernando Valley. Being a first-generation American with parents from El Salvador, my family has always been heavily religious, and I frequented church as a kid. At the same time, I was slowly coming to terms with my queerness. Understanding my sexuality and gender has been incredibly formative for my work and who I am as a person. My art was always for me and me alone, and it was an outlet for me during my struggle to accept myself. Today I want to be unapologetically me and embrace my queerness. I was ashamed of myself for a long time, but now I am very proud of the person I am today. And I want my art to show that.

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
I love fiction. I love demons, cowboys, vampires, pirates, and medieval fantasy. Growing up, I was particularly scared of anything to do with demons. Ironically, they’re what I enjoy drawing the most today. One character I draw often is a demon named Lucifer, or Luci for short. He serves as a sort of persona for my artist identity. My art sometimes reflects the trauma I faced when I was younger. I demonized myself for being queer, but having Luci, a queer demon who is free to dress, act, and love who he wants, helped me allow myself that same freedom.

Recently, I secured a position as an assistant Digital Artist at Funko. I have explored many different styles in my work, and it was one of the shining features in my portfolio throughout the interview process. My artistic style is constantly evolving as I enjoy exploring various themes and subjects. What I once feared to be a weakness has turned out to be my greatest strength.

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 would take them all around LA to try all the local places. In my family, the way we show love is food. There’s nothing I love more than sharing a meal with friends and family. My favorite Thai spot is called Meedee Thai Kitchen; it sits between La Brea and Beverly. I find that the best places to eat are family-owned. LA is filled with lots of hidden gems, and there’s a lot of beauty in the mundane.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
I would like to dedicate my shoutout to my family and my best friend, Claire Lee. Without them, I would never have pursued art in the way I have. The first time I became interested in drawing was from looking at my older sister’s doodles. One day, I decided I wanted to draw just like her. Eventually, my interest developed into a hobby and has now become a significant part of my life. Without my family buying me random art supplies for every birthday gift and the random websites where I would look up how to draw anime characters, I don’t think I would have come this far. To Claire Lee, a friend I have known for most of my life, I am thankful to have someone who enjoys the same things I do and shares creativity with me. I am grateful that those who surround me continue to support me and my work, even in the smallest ways.

Website: https://daniayala.carrd.co/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bluelim/?hl=en

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/daniel-ayala123/

Image credit:
Claire Lee