Dr. Daniel Molina wears many hats — physician, artist, author, and advocate for the mental and emotional well-being of kids. Inspired by his patients and their reactions to the doodles he’d create for them during the height of the COVID pandemic, Molina created his brand of art called Stickadoodles™ to weave together themes of empathy, connection and resilience.
Through his whimsical stick figure art, Molina shares heartwarming messages of emotional well-being that resonate with kids and adults alike. Molina’s work encourages the viewer to find inspiration and potential within themselves — and to understand and harness the power of community. Molina is the author of two children’s books, with the latest publishing in February 2025.
Dr. Molina shares insights on balancing science and creativity, the link between mental and physical health and simple ways parents can foster emotional well-being in their children.
MetroFamily’s Community Leader series highlights prominent community leaders across various sectors in Oklahoma City. Focused on topics pertinent to parents and families, each installment provides insights and perspectives from those shaping our community.
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 empowerment. 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 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 a business 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 patients as much as I was doing more emergency work. My patients told me they missed my 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 this 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 a superpower.
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 it. 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. Physical activity and finding reasons to smile are 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 wasn’t seen as essential. 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.
With such a successful multi-faceted career, it might surprise some to know you, too, experience imposter syndrome — how do you deal with it?
First, it’s never too late to pursue a passion. I started my art career in my late 40s! And that was definitely not on my Bingo card!
When I tell people I’m an artist, they often say, “I can only draw stick figures.” Talk about having imposter syndrome when you say you’re a stick figure artist!
As a medical professional, I’ve developed this professional identity in something I feel very competent in. But I took this leap, listening to my heart and my patients. I feel alignment with what I’m doing as an artist, which is medicine in its most organic form. I’ve had self-doubt, but I see the positive responses over and over again, and that has encouraged me to know I’m making a difference.
How did your parents shape who you are today?
My parents are so special and important to me. Neither have formal education; they were products of their environment, where they had to work to survive. But they had enough savviness to create opportunities for me, and they believed education was the ultimate tool. It wasn’t until I got older that I really realized how intelligent they are and that innate intelligence means so many different things. My father is analytical, and my mother is a creative big thinker — so I saw firsthand how different ways of thinking complement each other.
