Q&A: #WRECares Partners with Local Artist Vic Garcia
Miami, FL – April 9, 2020 – First-generation Cuban-American artist, Vic Garcia, has partnered with #WRECares to help spread the message of 1 Mask 1 World Make Masks • Donate Masks • Save Lives. Click HERE to donate to #WRECares.
Garcia, discovered his love for art when he started drawing with only pens, markers, and copy paper which quickly evolved into a whole world populated by the characters he creates. Each character has a unique story, their own personality, and an intention to express themselves to the world.
Today, his ability to create art has catapulted him into the hearts and minds of many including ours. To help fight COVID-19, Garcia collaborated with World Red Eye to be the official artist of #WRECares to express his #LOVEALL message and bring joy to our viewers’ hearts. Read the full Q&A below about Vic Garcia.
By Marissa Scarpulla
WRE: How did you get connected with #WRECares?
Vic Garcia: Seth is a friend of mine through the Miami community and we have always touched on the idea of working together. Through #WREcares we found the perfect opportunity to bring a dream collaboration to life.
WRE: Why did you want to get involved?
VG: When I found out that WRE was on a mission to find resources to help our community during these difficult times I found it was the perfect way to align with my world. My mission is to bring light and positivity to the world through art and #WRECares is doing that through information and resources to resort our city where my world was born. I knew that together, we would make a difference and rise above COVID-19.
WRE: When and why did you start creating?
VG: It was as a business student in Boston, searching for a suitable path and no interest in art, that my world was discovered. What started as pen and marker drawings on printing paper quickly evolved into a whole world populated by an overflow of characters I created. Using my art to express things I never could with words, my freestyle work and newly realized passion soon began to infest my room from walls to beneath the bed. Everyone, from my friends to guests wanted to take a piece of my art home with them, but it wasn’t until after college, when I went to work for my dad that it became obvious that art had completely taken over my life. I naturally got lost in the world I created and it motivated me to make the decision to go full – throttle.
WRE: How would you describe your style in terms of art?
VG: My art has developed into a world, another dimension and the place where all my work lives. Every piece is made up of characters who all contribute to spreading good energy and good vibes throughout their space. The population is made up of individuals with their own story, personalities and traits. Imagine a world where there are no superiors, no discrimination and no judgement, and that’s the world I have created. I have exciting projects coming up where my characters will turn into toys and statues. The world is endless and I stay up sleepless nights turning my “doodles” into BIG dreams.
My mission is to bring light and positivity to the world through art and #WRECares is doing that through information and resources to resort our city where my world was born.
Vic Garcia
WRE: What inspires you to create these unique and vibrant pieces?
VG: I am inspired by my day to day life and the people I come across. As an uncle of 10, kids are the main inspiration for me. I am motivated to #InspireTheYouth any chance I get. Children can #DreamBIG if they put their mind, passion and devotion towards what they love. Kids are the future and every time my paint touches a canvas, wall, or paper, I have a vivid intention of what I want to share wi th the others. I want people to connect with my world, disconnect from the crazy world we are living in and reconnect with their inner child. Today, my ability to bring good vibes and happy people into my world stimulates my heart and passion into expanding on what I love.
WRE: How does your heritage/family background take part in your creative process?
VG: I feel that my heritage is very important in the development of who I am as a person. I am a first – generation Cuban – American who has never been to the island my family fled, but hope to one day bring my art to a free Cuba. My work ethic comes from being ra ised knowing that grandparents and parents risked everything to leave Cuba with only the clothes on their back. They had to start a new life for the better of their kids and the family the followed. This motivates me to be the best I can be at my craft and is what inspires me to try and better the world as I see it. With the encouragement of my parents, I was shown that if I put my heart and passion into what I love, everything I can imagine will become a reality.
WRE: What advice would you give to a new artists?
VG: You have to believe in yourself first and foremost and do what you love. There’s going to be bumps in the roads but it’s in those moments that you grow. All different types of people are going to tell you all different types of things but you have to soak in only what inspires you to be better. If you put enough hard work and passion into whatever you do, you are destined for greatness. Surround yourself with people that can only make you better and bring out the best in you. Most importantly have fun and #SmileAlways.
Imagine a world where there are no superiors, no discrimination and no judgement, and that’s the world I have created.
Vic Garcia