Today we’d like to introduce you to Kathy Garcia.
Kathy, we’d love to hear your story and how you got to where you are today both personally and as an artist.
I was born and raised here in Georgia by immigrant parents. My parents were born in Nuevo Leon, Mexico and eventually came to the states to seek a better future for their family. Being raised by very hardworking parents always came with self-implemented expectations to succeed. In high school I took my first ceramics class and fell in love with clay. At the time I never considered an art career as an option for my future. However, during my freshman year at Georgia State University I made my way back to art by taking a drawing class. My biggest fear at the time was not having my parents’ support. To my surprise, my mom’s wish was for me to pursue a degree that I was passionate about. With my parents’ approval, I continued my art degree and eventually found my way back to clay. I graduated from Georgia State University in December 2017 with a Bachelors of Fine Arts in Ceramics.
We’d love to hear more about your art. What do you do you do and why and what do you hope others will take away from your work?
I am a figurative ceramic sculptor. My pieces of work are normally built in earthenware clay bodies and fired with no glaze.
My works have been influenced by the reflections of my upbringing in a predominantly white, Southern conservative community. Many times I think about all of the times I had to conform and how that has impacted me. Although these feelings of “other” were felt during my childhood in Georgia, the same feelings were and have been felt in my parents’ homeland of Mexico. Even there, I am seen as “gringa” because of my imperfect Spanish. In a ceramic self-portrait I try and depict this struggle of feeling like I am in between two cultures.
I am also heavily influenced by my family. My family is absolutely everything to me. Many times in my work I strive to show the respect and love I have for them. In some works I reflect on losses in my family such as my Buelita Tere and the feelings that come with those losses.
Artists face many challenges, but what do you feel is the most pressing among them?
I think some challenges for emerging artists is funding your art career. Many of the times right after college there is a difficulty to balance financial work stability and continuing your art practice. Since recently graduating the challenge for me has been to balance everything from work, home life, and my passion of making.
Do you have any events or exhibitions coming up? Where would one go to see more of your work? How can people support you and your artwork?
You can check out my website for my work at: kathy-garcia.com. I am also on Instagram: @kathygarcia_art. I post pictures of what inspires me, process, and my finished work on there.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.kathy-garcia.com
- Email: kathygarcia_art@outlook.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kathygarcia_art/?hl=en
Image Credit:
Raven Halfmoon
Wesley Harvey
Kathy Garcia
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