Q AND Art: Evan M. Lopez
Please note: This article is published as an archive copy from Philadelphia City Paper. My City Paper is not affiliated with Philadelphia City Paper. Philadelphia City Paper was an alternative weekly newspaper in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The last edition was published on October 8, 2015.
Welcome to Q and Art, where we ask local artists the same set of questions then they give us the name of the next artist to interview. This week we bring you City Paper's very own Evan M. Lopez.
1) Tell us a little about your background.
I have been drawing ever since I was dribbling baby formula on myself. Crayons, to pencils to now. My grandfather was the biggest influence. He was an architect/ builder who would prop me up on his knee and draw anything he or I thought of with me, while the tv played WWF wrestling, or classic westerns. I grew up in South Jersey, watching cartoons and horror movies, playing in bands all through high school. During those times, there was always some reason to draw for or on somebody, so I never stopped. Even until early morning hours, watching the MTV (when it played music and showed weird/awesome cartoons) I would get more comfortable when there was a good movie or tv show collection playing non-stop in the background. Something to keep me from checking the time, or a cellphone, step away, and just take the time to get the pictures done right.
2) What's your favorite thing to eat locally?
A good vietnamese hoagie. Throwing "Banh Mi" at the end of any sandwich concoction immediately gets my attention. There used to be a place whose coconut soup would magnetically draw me there constantly, but they are closed. So they screwed something up, and left me soupless. I ended up making my own, so screw it. Lots of restaurants that I have loved were like great shows on tv. Lots of people talk about how good they were, but they still get scrapped.
3) What's your favorite thing to do in this area?
Besides shows at Johnny Brenda's, spending time bullshitting with friends at Tattooed Moms or any other good joint, I'm open to adventuring out and getting into it. Its why I try to walk everywhere I go. You never know what you may get into while you are going someplace else. Other than that, spending time by the Schuylkill is definitely something I try to do when the weather is best. Whether its a brunch or a walk, or just some time to bring the sketchbook with the running river behind it all.
4) Give us your insider tip to the city.
Stay off your fucking cellphone while your walking around, get an iced-cream sandwich and start your regular nights out at Oscars. Also, don't pass up an opportunity to have dinner around Passyunk Square, or play ping-pong at Ruba Club.
5) And finally, pick the next artist for us to interview.
Chelsea Selby of Witch Baby Soap.
Where to find Evan M. Lopez
Website: www.evanmlopez.com
Shop: https://squareup.com/market/evan-m-lopez-art-slash-design
Instagram: @evanmlopez
