I recently had a sit-down interview with one of my closest and most talented friends, Maria Lozano. At only 17, "Angsty.vape.queen" is an up and coming artist and is making her mark in Los Angeles' youth art scene. Her most recent project is Crossing, an online boutique featuring her own handmade and one-of-a-kind accessories. This recent high school graduate and incoming college freshman started Crossing about a month ago online, but she has been making jewelry and painting for about four years.
"Tampon Ad" colored pencil self portrait.
When and how did you discover your love of art?
I guess I found my love for art when I began creating work that had some sort of personal attachment to me. I began painting when I was in the seventh grade and my mom enrolled me in an after school art class at a studio near my house. I sort of enjoyed it because I was often bored and I was never really good at doing anything else. From there I grew up learning about fine art and how to paint traditionally like a 70 year old woman. It wasn't until about a year ago though that I attended a summer program with Calarts called CAPSA and found a whole different side to art. I began to create with new media and paint things that felt more personal and I started to branch out of my comfort zone and out of what I thought was "socially OK" to create. Since then I've become more prominent with the underground art scene and I've just been exposing my art with small art collectives around Los Angeles.
"Mother Said it Would Make Me Sick" acrylic on canvas. Shown at Basic Flowers with the art collective Smash Club and Minty Boi.
"Childhood Tragedy" mixed media. Shown at group art show called "Thinking 'Bout You."
Tell me a little bit about how Crossing got started.
So about a month ago I officially launched Crossing, an online website where I'm selling handmade jewelry, bags, and jackets, but making stuff is something I've been doing since I was in the ninth grade. I learned from my mom's friend who back then did the jewelry for Urban Outfitters, Free People, and I began selling hair ties and bracelets that I made to my friends at school because, around that time I was getting really into music and going to concerts that I became desperate for cash to spend.
"Stevie Bag" can be found here.
"Once Upon a Wishbone" choker.
"Bella Bag" can be found here.
What or who inspires you?
Right now I'm obsessed with women like Sophia Amoruso, Emily Weiss, Chloe Wise, Jennifer Hyman, etc. who worked their way up.
Do you get any inspiration from your own culture?
Yes, I get a lot of inspiration from my culture. My mom and I both immigrated to this country from Mexico when I was about three and I have really good memories of going back there as a child during the summer. A lot of my art work recently is based around nostalgia and it's because of this awkward transition phase that I'm in with trying to become an adult but not really being able to. When it comes to Crossing, I always feel inspired by my Mexican culture and that's why I was really happy I was able to collaborate with a young woman from Oaxaca that hand weaves bags for living and was kind enough to ship them out to me for me to design with my art work!
Where do you see yourself in 10 years?
I honestly don't know. I have so many interest in life that I feel like I have no direction. I want to move to New York but I'm not sure what I want to do there. Whatever it is though I hope I'm still painting or making shit on the side.
Where do you want to travel?
I really want to go to New Orleans!
What's it like growing up in the internet age?
It's definitely interesting. I've had a totally different upbringing than my mother in terms of technology being around that it's often hard to relate with certain childhood experiences. I remember in the fifth grade being so obsessed with Stardoll that my mom bought me a dog just so that I could go play outside. But all jokes aside, I feel like the Internet is so powerful when it comes to helping women become vocal about certain world issues, something that my mother never experienced. It's thanks to this Internet age that I learned about feminism sooner rather than later! It's thanks to vocal and strong women online that I have a totally different prospective on life and I am proud to be part of this Internet age that fights for change in our system.
Do you find it beneficial for sharing your art and promoting your website?
Although it's different and new, I find it extremely beneficial! Instagram has especially helped me in so many ways these past couple of years. I don't think I would have ever met or known about so many different artists, activist, art collectives, etc. if it wasn't for it. With Crossing, I'm also able to communicate and promote with people in different parts of the U.S. and the world. I'm no professional, but it's good platform to get your work out there, because you never know who might see it.
You can find Maria on her website, personal Instagram, and Crossing's Instagram.
