What is the best thing that I love about my work ?
I’m a gestalt psychotherapist, english teacher and artist and the best thing about those works is that they allow me to exercise my own imagination and the imagination of others. They let me contribute to bringing a little bit of knowledge, awareness, happiness and balance into my life and other people’s life.
What is my idea of happiness?
I think happiness is a philosophy and a decision each one of us take daily depending on our physical, mental and emotional state, so I think it’s very important to always stick to the things we love and are able to do, so in that way happiness will be more present in our lives. In my case giving therapy, english classes and creating paintings and sketches have added lots of happy moments into my life.
What is my greatest fear?
My 3 greatest fears are: losing someone I love, losing my abilities and that this place called Earth loses all the positive values we have as humanity.
What is the trait that I most deplore in myself?
The trait that I most deplore about myself is being so perfectionist. I deplore the headaches and anxiety crisis I’ve had provoked by my catastrophic thoughts, but on the other hand, I’m also grateful to them because in that way via first hand I am able to guide in an empathic way the people I work with and which are living the same issue.
Which living persons in my profession do I most admire?
The persons I most admire are the ones who work hard on their dreams and who work each day on giving something positive into this world, the people who are successful but don’t lose their feet on the ground and try to always keep humble.
What is my greatest extravagance?
My greatest extravagance is my sometimes weird mind, my obsession with mixing colors, buying art supplies, investing in home decoration stuff, food and drinks I haven’t tried.
On what occasion would I lie?
To help someone I love.
What is the thing that I dislike the most in my work?
About being a psychotherapist, I dislike sometimes it’s emotionally exhausting if you see a lot of patients and people sometimes have the belief that if you are a psychotherapist you must have all your life solved and perfect. About being an english teacher I dislike when my students are smart but lazy and about being an artist I dislike the feelings of frustration you can feel sometimes, because sometimes you have invested a lot of time and effort into something you thought it was going to be a hit for the audience and it didn’t work as you thought. I also dislike the feelings of not being good enough in my work.
When and where was I the happiest in my work?
During sessions when I see my patients growing through therapy.  In the classroom when I see my students have learned the lesson and are happy because of it. As an artist when I’m at my desk in front of a white page able to be filled by me. The parts I most enjoy about the drawing / painting process are outlining, adding colors to what I’ve created and watching the happy faces of my clients when they like my work. If I could, what would I change about myself?
Working more on my perfectionism and getting more often out of my comfort zone.
What is my greatest achievement in work?
All the lessons I have learned and the opportunity I have to make myself happy doing what I love the most.
Where would I most like to live?
Where I feel more loved, relaxed and happy, right now that place is Mexico city.
What is my most treasured possession?
The values my family gave me, all the shared experiences and emotions my family members, best friends, patients and students have shared with me, all my ideas and creations I was able and am able to do.
What is my most marked characteristic?
I’m polite, direct, stubborn, and I try to give my best in all the things I do.
What is my most inspirational location, in my city?
I love Mexico city, specially at night so for getting inspired I usually paint at night and my best place to get inspired is my home so I try to keep it as cozy as I can What is my favorite place to eat and drink, in my city?
My 5 favorite restaurants in Mexico city are: “Marie Callender’s”, “El gran hotel”, “La Balance coffee shop”, “Azul histórico” & “Bellas Artes coffee shop”.
What books influenced my life and how?
1. “Gestalt therapy: Theory and practice”, thanks to this book I decided I wanted to be a gestalt psychotherapist.
2. “The wheel of life” by Elizabeth Kübler Ross, this book helped me understand my own losses and the losses of the people I have worked with.
3. “Gestalt para la ansiedad” by Angie Bilbao, it helped me theoretically and practically during my anxiety journey.
4. “Starlight desperado” by Matthew David Curry, it helped me during my anxiety crisis to learn the importance of working hard and have faith.
5. “What’s left of the stars” by Matthew David Curry, it helped me to keep contact with my inner child and to learn about children’s illustration and writing.
6. “Pinxit” by Mark Ryden “A punto de partir” by Frannerd, “Alicia en el país de las maravillas” by Benjamin Lacombe, they helped me when I was trying to find my own style as an artist.
You only die once. What music would I listen on my last day?
In my last day playlist would be: Prince, Queen, Elton John, Michael Jackson, Air Supply, Journey, The beatles, The Carpenters, Frank Sinatra, Judy Garland, Natalie Cole, The Scorpions, The White Stripes, Annie Lennox, David Bowie, Mr. big, En Vogue, Semisonic, Amy Winehouse, Adele, Tori Amos, Joss Stone, Lady Gaga, Paloma Faith, Lenka, Regina Spektor, KT Tunstall, Harry Styles, Hozier, John Legend, Ariana Grande, Matisse, Natalia Lafourcade, Jimena Sariñana, Jenny Rivera, Juan Gabriel, Victor Garcia, Rocio Durcal, Yuridia, Jenny and the Mexicats, Zoé, Siddhartha, José José, Soda Stereo, Miguel Bosé, Mark Anthony, Nacha Guevara, Mon Laferte, Carla Morrison, Maria Callas & Edith Piaf.
Who is my hero or heroine in fiction?
I’m not so much into super heroes but if I had to choose one it would be Flash or Hulk. About fictional heroines I would choose Mary Poppins or Alice in Wonderland.
Who are my heroes and heroines in real life?
My mom, my grandparents, my best friends, my patients and students and all the people who fight for living their dream and work hard to leave something positive on this Earth.
Which movie would i recommend to see once in a lifetime?
“As good as it gets”.
What role plays art in my life and work?
One of the most important roles, is the passion that keeps me alive.
What do the words “You are the storyteller of your own life” say to me?
It means you are the writer of your own story so you decide how you want to write it.
Who is my greatest fan, sponsor, partner in crime?
All the people who have supported me through the years and whom I’m totally grateful for believing in me.
Which people or companies would I like to work with in 2021?
I would like to be able to paint more and sell more of my paintings nationally and internationally. I will keep creating stuff for myself and the ones who are interested in my artwork, but for now I don’t have any specific company I want to work with yet, I’m an independent artist.
Which people in my profession can make a real difference in my creative career and would i love to meet in 2021?
I would love to meet the more creative people I can, it’s always interesting knowing creative people.
What project, in 2021, am I looking forward to work on?
I want to finish my 1st formal sketchbook and keep creating artworks for myself and other people. I want to keep working and learning as a psychotherapist, english teacher & artist.
Where can you see me or my work in 2021?
You can see part of my work right on instagram@monsterartbysteph or my LinkedIn page: Stephany López Ruiz.
What do the words “Passion Never Retires” mean to me?
Wherever there’s passion there’s life.
Which creative heroines should Peter invite to tell their story?
1. Marit Cooper, illustrator.
2. Dena Ackerman, illustrator.
3. Lisa Mellows, illustrator.
4. Bekah Grace, illustrator.
5. Emiko Maruyama, illustrator, graphic designer.
6. Ivana Režek, graphic designer.
7. Raffaela Di Maggio, graphic and fashion designer.
8. Claudia Crisan, creative director, illustrator, product designer.
9. Angelica Mendoza Rubio, freelance illustrator.
How can you contact me?
Via email: monsterartbysteph27@gmail.comVia direct message right on instagram: @monsterartbysteph