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

Hi Lynn, what led you to pursuing a creative path professionally?
The reason I pursued a career in the arts is because of my passion and determination to redefine the way I create art.

Alright what keeps you busy professionally? What sets you apart from the competition?
What sets me apart from other artists in terms of my style of art is the pure spontaneity of it. My work is comprised of realistically rendered faces and figures juxtaposed with chaotic and intertwined characters and doodles that create a world of their own all the while telling a story. Each central figure wears a distinct expression that’s reflected through this fictional and spontaneous world. Throughout the years I have experimented and pushed my style further to redefine the way we create and look at art! This is something I am very proud of in my journey as an artist. I have always been drawn to the strange and whimsical and as I got older I wanted to take it to another level.

Who have been some of your biggest influences?
Early in my career I had met some amazing artists that heavily influenced my work to the level in which it is today. I attribute that influence and inspiration from my very good friend and artist Tomas Esson whose work is currently exhibited in the Institute of Contemporary Art (ICA) in the Miami Design District among others.

Throughout your career have you experienced any setbacks? And if so, what have you done to overcome and adapt?
During this journey I encountered some setbacks. Close to four years, I became very depressed and highly unmotivated. I yearned to strive to push my art further but I was lost in my own self-limiting beliefs. There were times I wanted to give up and if it wasn’t for my close friends being their for their support and guidance I can say the journey would have been much different. The past two years has been an evolution of myself with constant reinventing and learning to push past the sadness and the suffering to strive to give back and inspire others through art.

What has been your biggest lesson throughout your journey?
One of my very good friends, Jeff Massman, had once told me, “The getting is in the giving”. Even though he is not among us, his words are ones I live by.  This, in turn, has been my biggest lesson. I want the world to know that despite any obstacles we may face as individuals we can always look within ourselves and know that each and every one of us is a gift to this world. That with mindfulness, love and compassion we can learn to be present, attain inner peace and give back and inspire others to do the same.

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.
This is a great question and perfect timing because it was yesterday that my bestfriend and I are planning a weekend getaway to Orlando to go on our very first hot air balloon ride for her birthday. On our road trip there, we are planning to pass by and see the illuminating Stained Glass house by Lake Nona, and possibly check out the serene gardens at Bok Tower Gardens. We may also stop and check out some beaches up the east coast as well!

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
First and foremost I would like to thank Dan Becker for his support, mentorship and guidance for having me see through making my dreams as an entrepreneur into a reality! I am grateful for every single piece of advice he has given me throughout this journey. I would also like to thank my mother for pushing me to excel in whatever I set my mind too and for being my pillar of strength. I would like to thank my very good friend Melissa Vargas for her love and support through some of my darkest days. I would like to acknowledge and thank the amazing people at Gratitude Training, a leadership and mentorship program I enrolled several years ago that changed the course of my life forever! This program is the main reason I took the scariest leap of leaving my 9 to 5 job to embark in the world of entrepreneurship. I cannot thank enough every single person I had met through that time from the trainers Michael DeSanti and Francine Rahe to my wonderful coaches and of course to my dearest and closest friends that have always raised me to my highest. They will forever be in my hearts. I love you and thank you my family ML 33 FLL!

Website: www.lynngarciaart.com
Instagram: lynngarciaart
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/lynngarciaart

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