Today we’d like to introduce you to Nina Garza.
Hi Nina, can you start by introducing yourself? We’d love to learn more about how you got to where you are today.
As a child, I was always drawing, painting, or doing some kind of arts and craft project with my mom. She taught me pretty much everything I know about crafting, from knitting, crocheting, and sewing, to silk painting, paper crafts, bead animals, and jewelry making. There aren’t a lot of things we haven’t tried. My dad taught me about fixing things, using power tools, putting furniture together, and more. I learned a great deal about improvising and problem-solving through him. My family has always been supportive of my creative side and my wanderlust.
My parents worked a lot when I was growing up and couldn’t always take long vacations, but my grandparents were retired and took me with them. I blame my traveling bug on them! We visited many different places in mostly Germany, where I grew up, hiked mountains, walked forested trails, and strolled along sandy beaches. Once I got older, I started taking trips on my own, even working in different countries. I’ve been to Portugal, Spain, Italy, Turkey, Denmark, and more. All the traveling instilled a deep appreciation of Mother Nature and all she has to offer in me, which you can see in my art!
I majored in English and Art in high school but did not go to college or art school after. Back then, I never intended on making a living from my art. It was more of an outlet for me. Unfortunately, life soon caught up with me, and I barely did any art for years. Eventually, I picked up a sketchbook again, got new art supplies, and started doodling away. I tried new materials and media, and it felt like I was reunited with a long-lost love. It was then that realized I could no longer live without creating art. It’s my happy place! It balances me.
My husband is incredibly supportive and understanding as well. When we bought our house, he helped me make a lifelong dream come true by converting one of our bedrooms into my craft room/studio. We even built some of the furniture together. Whenever I have a rough day, he tells me, “Go lock yourself in your craft room; I got the kids!” and I get to just let loose with whatever project I feel like doing. As you can tell, my family has been playing a major role in my journey. I wouldn’t be who and where I am without them.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way? Looking back, would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
Far from it! Like most artists, I’m extremely self-critical. For the longest time, I didn’t even consider myself an artist, nor believed in the worth of my art. Imposter syndrome, self-doubt, fear of failure, it’s all too familiar.
Time was, and sometimes still is a challenge. I have so many ideas I want to put on paper or canvas, but there is just so little time. We all have busy lives, and my number one priority is and always will be my family. Finding a healthy balance between work, art, and kids is a struggle, but it’s a struggle I embrace.
With the help of my husband, I’m working hard on expanding my portfolio and building a recognizable brand so that one day my art can support my family.
Another thing that has really helped me with gaining more confidence and finding the right path was joining an artist’s group. We have regular meetings where we talk about art, opportunities, and our recent works. Each month we also work on a specific prompt, which we discuss at the next meeting. It really has been a blessing and an incredible driving force for me.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
I’ve been honing my skills from the moment I could hold onto a pen. I remember getting jealous of my mom when I compared her neat coloring pages to mine, so I would practice until I got as good as her. Other kids my age didn’t pay as much attention to detail as I did, and it used to irk me. In fact, I didn’t want to let them color in my books because they would “mess it up.” Even looking at the old masters, I admired the ones with a knack for accuracy and detail the most, possibly because I could relate to their art more. I’m not necessarily talking about hyperrealism, but art where you can clearly identify the subject, whether that is done via realism, surrealism, expressionism, or any other style.
I work in a variety of different media, and I love it that way. Sometimes I mix media to achieve a specific look I would otherwise not get. Watercolor and ink would be an example. I love to experiment and try new things; it keeps things interesting and fuels my creativity. Sometimes it works out great, and sometimes it’s an utter disaster. Regardless of the outcome, I always learn something new to advance my skills.
While I like to challenge myself with different subjects to keep my senses sharp, I keep returning to animals and florals. A lot of it has to do with growing up with pets, even living on a ranch for a while and my grandmothers’ love for flowers. My art is a reflection of my experiences, hopes, and dreams. It clearly shows my love for details and often incorporates some deeper symbolism.
I also have my kids help me now and then. They are still very young and are just learning, but they have so much fun with it. If I need to loosen up and get my creativity flowing, I do a reverse coloring project with them. They blot a page with watercolors, and I go over it with ink. It’s a great exercise, as you just stare at the colors and see what imagination puts on the paper.
This year I’ve been taking it a step further by focusing on endangered species. While I will continue taking commissions for pet portraits etc., my main focus will be working on my first collection. Through it, I’m hoping to spread awareness, not only through the visual of my art but also through storytelling. Conservation and protection of endangered species have been a topic close to my heart for a long time. So, I thought, why not combine my two passions? The collection will include a series of animal portraits infused with my signature florals. Each portrait will be accompanied by a story about the subject, including its conservation status and information on how to support its preservation. I’m super excited about this project. Can you tell?
Are there any apps, books, podcasts, blogs, or other resources you think our readers should check out?
Procreate is probably my favorite app. I don’t just do digital art in it but also use it for the ideation of new projects. If I’m unsure of how compositions, colors, etc., might work in a piece, I plan it out in Procreate. I can move things around, change the color palette, and try out different backgrounds. It’s a super time-efficient and economical way to plan out new artwork. Much less waste of materials!
It might come as a surprise, but I prefer fantasy novels. My favorite series are The Wheel of Time by Robert Jordan and the Dragon Prince Saga by Melanie Rawn.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://artsefact.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/artsefact/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Artsefact
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/company/artsefact/
- Twitter: https://twitter.com/artsefact
- Other: https://www.buymeacoffee.com/artsefact
Image Credits
Matthew and Nina Garza
