DR. DAN MOLINA BALANCES HIS CREATIVE AND SCIENTIFIC SIDES IN HIS WORK AS A PHYSICIAN AND ARTIST.
Where did the inspiration for Stickadoodles come from? My journey as an artist is deeply connected to my work as a physician. I’ve always been drawn to the power of human connection. It’s been a theme for me for as long as I can remember. The origin story for Stickadoodles was a connection to a small child. I was a medical student, and I was anxious because I had forgotten a sticker for the child. So I took a Sharpie and drew a smiley face on both of our hands and said, “Now we’re best friends and we can do anything together!” The connection was so simple and only took seconds, but it changed the environment in the exam room from fear and uncertainty to calm and empowering. And not just for the child — for the mom, who saw a child go from suspicious to giggling. Later, when I was medical director at Oklahoma City Indian Clinic, I left a smiley face and note on a Post-it on the receptionist’s computer. Six months later, that Post-it was framed between the receptionist’s daily prayer and a picture of her family. That said to me that she felt seen, appreciated and less alone. Now, there’s not only a connection between two people, but an organization that wants to retain its people. That took me three seconds but created a long-term connection. Then, COVID changed everything. I wasn’t seeing my regular patients as much as I was doing more emergency management. My patients told me they missed their doodles and that the whole world needed more of that positivity. In medicine, I see firsthand how small moments — eye contact, a reassuring word, even a simple doodle — can shift a person’s emotional state. My art is an extension of that. What inspired your new book, and what do you hope readers take away from it? My new book, Gracie’s Sparklechip Surprise , touches on themes families experience every day, from bullying and isolation to depression and stress eating. I wanted to create a unique story that feels natural and immersive while also offering opportunities for conversation between parents and children. The book supports learning empathy and shows how compassion is really a superpower – all told with tons of giggles.
How do you come up with ideas for your art? Inspiration comes from real-life moments. I’ll hear something that catches my attention — a profound statement or something funny — and in my mind, I’m already seeing an image to illustrate. The words come first, and then I develop the art around them. How are mental health and emotional well-being connected to physical health? We know the two are interconnected. When we smile or engage with others, our brains release chemicals like dopamine and serotonin — natural mood boosters. The same thing happens with physical activity. Simply playing with your children or engaging in creative expression can improve overall well-being for all involved. Physical activity and finding reasons to smile are nature’s anti- depressants. What are some simple coping strategies parents and kids can practice together? Like with Stickadoodles, mantras are powerful for emotional well- being in kids because they offer simple, repeated reassurance. One of my favorites is, “The darkness doesn’t last.” It reminds us that tough times are temporary. I encourage parents and kids to create personal mantras — something that resonates specifically with their experiences. When a mantra feels personal, it becomes a mental trigger for resilience and strength. You have a very scientific brain but also a deeply creative side. How do you balance the two? I was always encouraged to focus more on STEM fields, and creativity carried much less emphasis. But as I grew older, I realized how important it is to keep both sides engaged. Creative thinking isn’t just about making art — it helps solve problems, approach challenges differently and see new perspectives. I encourage parents to nurture all sides of their child’s intelligence. A well-rounded child — one who can think analytically and creatively — is better prepared to navigate the world.
METROFAMILYMAGAZINE.COM / MAY-JUNE 2025 13
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