DRICA LOBO
So for all the Hermosa Beach people, we view you as a forever local, but you came here from Brazil. How did you find Hermosa Beach and did you originally come to America to push the art game, or were you doing something else?
I moved to the US with the idea of staying for about a year, just enough to improve my English and experience a new culture. Little did I know, but I'm almost half of my life in this country. I moved to Atlanta, then Seattle, and finally, to Hermosa Beach. It was an old roommate who told me about this little beach town and how it would be perfect.
I was a journalist, working as a freelance for a few Brazilian networks. Because art has always been in my blood since early ages. I always looked for chances to show my art somehow. After going to a few Fiesta Hermosa, I decided to apply to participate. After that, I realized it was about time to take a leap of faith and invest in my art. I blame & thank Hermosa for this career transition.
You have a great way of marketing your artwork and keeping in touch with your collectors. How did that evolve for you?
I used to paint for my own sake of sanity. When I started selling my work, I became more interested in getting to know the people attracted to my art. It always amazed me to see that invisible force that connects my work with incredible human beings. So keeping in touch with them feels like a tangible thing to do. It went from making art to serving this community of like-minded people. And that's my favorite part of all.
Your work has a signature palette. Have you always painted the same style, or is there an evolution of style and color that you have gone through? What inspires you to paint now?
No. It evolved through the years for sure. I started art school at the age of 10, so I never had a specific aesthetic. I was a curious kid, learning different techniques, mostly copying from photographs and classic oil painters. Not until I had to paint for my first Fiesta Hermosa I thought: "I might as well paint beachy, local scenes." And boom, I felt this urge of creativity asking for evolution, and my mission was to find the best way out, so practicing was my only approach to figure it out. I saw some magic there. There's nothing more extraordinary to watch and be inspired by California sunsets. My inspiration comes from nature, movement, energy, and the vast universe that we live in. My interpretation of the bond between heaven, infinity, humanity, earth, ocean, and it's mysterious sync with them all.
You have been active in the Hermosa Beach art scene as much as anybody. What have you noticed about how this scene has grown, and what do you hope to see happen in the next few years?
I love to watch and be part of the art scene in Hermosa. It has been growing so much in the past few years. I hope that keeps growing, unifying, and making our neighborhood more colorful. Let us make Hermosa impact the LA art scene, connecting with artists and galleries around the world.
You recently had a solo show here at ShockBoxx. The show was during the pandemic so we zoomed it out, but were able to have open hours. What do you think about the way the pandemic has changed the way we/you are showing work. Think this will stick around?
I think it will be a great addition that galleries need to implement. It was such a great way for collectors to be more involved with the artist's creative process. More than an actual art opening, that a lot of times seems overwhelmed and busy. Great job to the Shockboxx team to become the leading edge gallery in Southbay to educate the views on the potential future of the arts in general.
