Philarthropy Feature: Ivan Garcia | Visual Artist & Fine Art Painter

Ivan Garcia | Visual Artist & Fine Art Painter 

I am from Mexico City and have been living in the states for the past six years. I studied Fine Arts at INBA, the National Institute of Fine Arts in Mexico City. I am a visual artist using various including paint, mixed media and sculpture. I am also a resident artist at RGB Lounge in Chicago – an artists co-op located in Wicker Park.

1. What kind of art weapons do you use to CREATE?

I use paint mostly to create a visual representation of the things I see in my mind which is mostly a surrealist abstract romanticist style. I specialize in acrylic and watercolors, but I also work in mixed media.

2. When was the moment you fell in love with ART?

I fell in love with art at a young age at about 8 years old. I was very influenced by the surrealist movement especially Remedios Varos, Dali as well as things like illustrations, comic books and graphic novels.

3. What is your purpose to CREATE?

I create with an inner purpose. My hands are telling me to create the visions my brain causes me to imagine. I tend to imagine the impossible and create a visual representation of these things that include nature and the life around me.

4. Is there a particular message you want to communicate through your artwork?

My message is one that I leave subjectively to the audience. I have my own reasons for creating so I don’t push that on the viewer.

5. What is your meaning behind the word, “philARThropy?”

I see this word as a supporting and teaching method for new generations of artists. Art is for learning and teaching.

6. How do you plan on using your creativity & imagination to give back to your community & make a difference?

I plan to do this by continuing to paint and create for myself and the public until I am no longer on this earth. My gift to everyone is a vision that is not of this world, a chance to imagine the impossible.

7. What would be your contribution to the art community?

I would say my contribution is a continuous one. I am always trying to collaborate with other artists, teach, use recycled material and I participate in many community shows across the city.

8. What advice would you give to a young artist who is trying to find their spot in the art world?

Be a genius about your work. Create, learn, and evolve to what you think is the right path and the right style for you. To be a genius you have to believe it first. It takes many hours of dedication on my part so you have to be ready to make that commitment. You must be patient and ready for when your time comes. Most of all you have to love what you do.

9. If you had the chance to collaborate with another artist, what would be the #1 thing on your art bucket list of creative projects you’d like to complete?

I would choose to work with Mexican artist David Alfaro Siqueiros, the mural painter. I’ve done smaller murals in the past but I would love to create a gigantic mural somewhere in the world that focuses on humanity and health. This would be a dream contribution to the community.

10. What kind of art legacy do you want to leave with the world?

The legacy I would leave is to create beauty from nothing and leave this world having impacted as many people as I can with my artwork and to have loved and lived a unique life through art, friends and family.