Terese Garcia

Lives and works in Monterey, CA, USA

Artist statement

Terese Garcia Artist’s statement [email protected] “Maybe my expressions flow like pillars of no one’s imagination but mine. I’m okay with that.” Sometimes, I look around only to realize that I’ve lived this life before, in another form, and conclude that going within is where it’s at. This is much of what my art is about and unapologetically. I’ve been an artist for years and for just a bit, meaning that although I’ve created many works, after Covid, George Floyd, an unfortunate 2016 U.S. election, the war in Ukraine, etc., in 2020 I stopped, listened and grew to be an artist that uses my weaknesses as my strengths to produce what I’m doing today. Before Covid, I was spending time visually being on the cusp of artistic change without taking a leap. So here I am. For me, being an artist means not stepping in line with the norms of society but speaking a truth that originates from the depths of inhalation, i.e. pain, suffering, confusion, fear, regret, sadness and shame and exhalation, i.e. lots of tears, therapy, honesty, looking at myself for the first time and sitting with that discomfort for a long time, relief, freedom, joy and acceptance of the unknown. It especially means not explaining myself and using compassion and silence as a means to say hello. My work evolves around my philosophical understanding that’s neither right nor wrong and just is. Inspired by nature, chaos, impermanence, Buddhism, the humble sides of life, like the gratefulness a homeless friend has...

Artwork