Today we’d like to introduce you to Marla Yadira Garcia.
Every artist has a unique story. Can you briefly walk us through yours?
I am a graphic designer and my story as a graphic artist began when I was about 11 years old, I was in middle school in a city called Nuevo Laredo, Mexico. I used to hand draw name designs for my friends and myself and we used these designs as covers for our binders. These designed names were appealing, distinctive and colorful and I got a lot of requests to do these kinds of designs.
Time passed and when I was in high school in Mexico one of my friends said she was going to study to become a graphic designer. She explained what a graphic designer does and then I remembered the drawings I had created and thought it would be fun to study graphic design.
I finished high school in Mexico and moved to Houston, Texas to continue my studies. I had to finish the last 2 years of high school in the US before I could study graphic design. After high school graduation, I attended The Art Institute of Houston where I got my Associate of Arts in Visual Communications.
Please tell us about your art.
I create illustrations that are very colorful and unreal. I’ve never considered myself an illustrator because I am a graphic designer, but I’ve always loved to draw. After becoming a graphic designer, I forgot about picking up a pencil and creating things that made me happy. The only time I got to draw was when I made invitations for my kids, and everybody complimented me on them. One year ago, I just felt the need to start drawing again and it felt amazing. My hands just started swirling across the paper and have been able to draw more than before. I draw my illustrations by hand first and then I digitize them.
I could say that my inspiration comes from kid’s illustrations that are very vivid. I remember when my kids used to watch cartoons, I would just stare at the animations and loved all the colors across the screen and I imagined creating something like that. I’ve always been drawn to colorful things because they make me feel content and I hope people see that in my illustrations.
Choosing a creative or artistic path comes with many financial challenges. Any advice for those struggling to focus on their artwork due to financial concerns?
To start creating and show your artwork in art shows and/or social media. I have a full-time job to support me and my family, and even though I do not have as much time as I’d like to draw more, I envision myself as an artist and I hope that one day this could become my full-time job.
How or where can people see your work? How can people support your work?
At the moment they can view my illustrations on my website, marlayadiragarcia.com, and on my Instagram account @mygarcia8.
Contact Info:
- Website: http://marlayadiragarcia.com
- Email: mygarcia@marlayadiragarcia.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mygarcia8/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/MarlaYadiraGraphicDesigner/
Image Credit:
Portrait photo by Karina Serna Photography
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