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

Hi Arturo, why did you pursue a creative career?
There is nothing that makes me whole more than creating. I’ve always been an artist, even before I did it for work. Whether writing, sketching or painting, I always have found a special kind of freedom creating; it has been a form of liberating my spirit. I am very fortunate to have this ability. So, it only made sense this is what I had to pursue. I wish I had known this before I did, but in a way timing was perfect. The calling came after I was hospitalized for a couple of months, not able to work, and the only thing I could really do was put my hands and my imagination to work making art. It has been the most rewarding period of my life for the last 8 years.

Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.
Since I didn’t go to art school, I’d be considered a self-thought artist, but that is not fair to the artists from whom I learned so much from. Victor Romero, Xilotl, Efren Gonzalez, and others I painted with and learned from; other painters such as Van Gogh, Modigliani, Kahlo, Basquiat or Rothko continue to teach me with their legacy.

Perseverance and patience have me where I am. I did over one hundred paintings before I sold my first one. Painting is the easy part, trying to sell it can be challenging. So, I had to set it free, let it sell itself. Let it be seen, invite people to get acquainted with it. I have done many showings and collaborations where money is not in the equation but only the energy of art and the conversation it generates between object and subject, which is a unique and intimate event.

SHOW UP TO WORK! It’s the inner voice I continue to hear. I don’t wait for inspiration to come, I don’t wait for opportunities to show up, I don’t wait for the muse (as it where). I work. I show up, and when I show up, I’m usually in the best position to take on anything that comes my way.

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.
Places: The Denver Art Museum, the Botanical Gardens, Spots and outdoors: Red Rocks, Garden of the Gods, DT Morrison, the 16th Street Mall. Restaurants: Tamayo’s Restaurant, Parceros Restaurant, China Jade, El Coco Pirata. Parks: Bear Creek Lake. Night life: Black Hawk. And my gallery! Located at 4040 Morrison Road in Denver.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
Shoutout to Xilotl, Efren Gonzalez, the Denver Art Society, UCHealth, BuCu West, La Napoule Art Foundation, the City of Denver, AFCA, Wings of Hope, the Denver Art Museum, my wife Cathy and all who buy my art, without you, I wouldn’t be able to continue doing what I love.

Website: https://www.arturogarciafineart.com

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/arturogarciafineart/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/arturofineart

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/arturogarciafineart

Image Credits
The picture of me was taking at DAM by AP David Zalubowsky

Nominate Someone: ShoutoutColorado is built on recommendations and shoutouts from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you or someone you know deserves recognition please let us know here.