Meet Crystal Garcia | Visual Artist

We had the good fortune of connecting with Crystal Garcia and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Crystal, what do you want people to remember about you?
I would love to be remembered for my art. One of my dreams is to be in a major public art collection. A lot of my art reflects the beauty of the world around me. There is beauty in all things big and small. I want people to realize and appreciate how special life is. I would also like to be remembered for my ability to spread joy. I always try to stay positive and encourage others to follow their dreams. Some people think I’m crazy because I’m always smiling but a smile is the easiest way to spread joy.

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
I think what sets me apart from others is that I’m not afraid to experiment with my art. That is probably why my “style” is hard to define. I love learning new techniques and mediums. My favorites are watercolor and acrylic paint, but I also love to make relief prints and draw with pens and markers. I recently started experimenting more with mixed media using found objects. The environment is something I care a lot about so I want to use more found objects in my work.

The biggest lesson I’ve learned is to put yourself out there! I still struggle with this at times but the first time I did, I approached Pati Vargas who organizes Viernes Culturales in Little Havana. She was the first person in the art world that believed in me. I displayed my art in Little Havana at several events and from there I’ve met other people and received more opportunities. I’m really thankful for all the opportunities I’ve been given. None of it would have happened if I didn’t put myself out there!

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
There is so much to see and do around Miami. My favorite sushi place is Shima Japanese Restaurant. Chela’s is another great spot for food and drinks. These are both very close to my house in the Hialeah/Miami Lakes area. We could spend a day exploring Downtown and head to the Perez Art Museum Miami. After that we could ride the Metro Mover to Brickell and have lunch there. Later on we could explore Wynwood and see all the murals. While in Wynwood we can pick up some donuts from Salty Donut. On another day we could head to Vizcaya. We could check out the Cape Florida Lighthouse and relax on the beach. We can head to Miami Beach and check out The Wolfsonian-FIU. For lunch, the most affordable and delicious spot on the beach is Safron Mediterranean Grill. For drinks, the coolest bar is Kill Your Idol. Zoo Miami and Aventura Mall are other must-see destinations for out-of-towners.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
There are so many people that have supported me throughout my life. My parents have always believed in me and helped provide me with art supplies. They go to all my art shows and exhibits. They’re always promoting my art all over Instagram. My amazing husband, Anthony always supports my crazy art-making ventures that take over the entire house. My brother, Christopher is also one of my biggest supporters. It’s hard to put into words how amazing he is. He’s my best promoter and my motivational speaker. Whenever I doubt myself he knows exactly what to say. He helps me stay positive and he helps me see the value of my art.

Website: https://ko-fi.com/artistcrystalg

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/artist.crystalg/