Today we’d like to introduce you to Jocelyne Garcia.
Jocelyne, can you briefly walk us through your story – how you started and how you got to where you are today.
As a kid, I’d be in a classroom or at home depicting animals, flora, people, and the environments which surrounded my day to day living. In 2006, Leukemia took over my entire existence. I was 11 years old. Art being the alternate dimension where pain ceased. This chapter lasted three years. During my chemotherapy treatment, my usual subjects morphed into those dealing with mortality, medicine and spirituality. While in school, I participated in state art competitions such as VASE and local art shows throughout the district creating works that illustrated my battle. I have been in remission for 10 years this October.
From drawing on closet doors while sitting inside them, a favorite childhood past-time, to SMU’s Moody Coliseum for Art to Beat Cancer. I took the podium to speak on using art to rehabilitate after suffering through chemotherapy and overcoming Leukemia. Sharing my testimony to raise funds for stem cell research through The Doyle Glass Foundation benefiting Children’s Medical Center Research Institute.
As an adult, my first art shows were with an international organization, RAW Artists, and local non-profit organization, ARTCON. I have worked with galleries across the DFW such as W.A.A.S. Gallery, Jeanette Kennedy Gallery, Kettle Art Gallery, the Oak Cliff Cultural Center and the Bath House Cultural Center, showcasing bodies of work that ignite conversations on current social/political issues such as climate change, women’s equality/empowerment, polyculturalism, cultural identity and mental health. I’ve worked with local businesses such as The Free Man Cajun Cafe & Lounge, RBC, The Halcyon in Lower Greenville, and Deep Ellum Art Co. for installations, pop-up shows, and live music events.
Presently, I engage the community through my job at The Cedars Union, an artist co-working space dedicated to advancing local artists as businesses. I am currently pursuing an architectural illustration degree with a specialization in ecologically sustainable design.
In other creative realms, I’ve been writing lyrics, composing songs and playing along with my guitar. I wrote a song on Spotify titled “Kubrick” where I sang in Spanish to a synth composition by local prolific artist Poppy Xander for local Dallas rapper Lord Byrons’ album “We Kill Cowboys, So Death Rides A Horse” released in 2017 by Dolphin Records.
Currently, I’ve been working with local musicians and performing anywhere from Austin house shows to intimate black-box theater shows, art warehouses/galleries and coffee shops. My lyrics/spoken word address the human and emotion-charged experiences that perceive as ‘out-of-body’ or ‘spiritual’ inspired by facing the 21st century as a Mexican-American woman.
Overall, has it been relatively smooth? If not, what were some of the struggles along the way?
Absolutely not, I have faced everything from racism, sexism, homophobia, class discrimination, objectification, hyper-sexualization, sexual abuse and been taken advantage of due to avoiding ‘rocking the boat’ or saying “no” when something didn’t resonate with me. I’ve been called a ‘bitch’ or any other derogatory term for an assertive woman protecting her self worth. Let’s change that dynamic for all of us.
My advice to young women would be: Exist as loud as you possibly can. Be outspoken, passionate, and unapologetic on what makes you feel safe, secure, empowered and supported in your communities. Hold people accountable for their pitfalls and for the abuse of young women. We need to start voicing the injustices we face in our immediate environments to create change for the betterment of our society. Do not be silent, complacency will inhibit the social growth we seek.
Educate yourself on your rights! The constitution literally has laws dedicated to protecting Artists’ rights!
Building healthy business relationships are as important as friendships, true power lays in conducting yourself with unshakeable presence and knowledge.
Create connections with those who you can build community alongside without putting others through unnecessary traumas.
Music, art, meditation, prayer, creating community and a handful of visits to trauma counselors and psychologists have given me the mental tools to overcome such obstacles.
Do not be ashamed to seek and ask for professional help! In the vastness of this planet, you are not alone.
Please tell us more about your artwork, what you are currently focused on and most proud of.
I get commissioned to make artwork for businesses and individuals in pencil, ink, watercolor, acrylic, sculpture and digital format. These range from portraits of loved ones (including those of the fur variety) or designs for events or social media.
I’ve been making wearable art on denim jackets, and customized a Salvador Dali meets M.C. Escher-esque baseball bat with a sculpture rose at the tip and ski mask for a clients’ photoshoot project.
I created custom poster designs for performing artists such as Dezi 5 in New York to local Dallas musicians, Tha Mystics.
Recently, I attended a concert for Jessie Reyez and gifted her a customized, functional strait-jacket inspired by her song “Shutter Island” which she wore on the entire remaining tour.
I have worked on many photoshoot sets under the tutelage of Brandy Michele Adams, MUA, Creative, and Founder/Owner of WAAS Gallery. I am a published MUA with Prolific Quarterly Magazine with American Ninja Warrior Contestant, Hayley Love, owner of Love Story Cosmetics LLC. I’ve also worked alongside local Dallas photographer Moriah Michelle Garcia for the past 6 years with MUA and modeling.
I’d say versatility is what distinguishes me from others.
As an entrepreneur, I am a solution-based artist, I listen and talk to my customers to get to know them personally as a brand, organization or service provider so I can best represent their idea or concept in whichever medium they desire.
What’s the most important piece of advice you could give to a young woman just starting her career?
Stop judging your successes or failures. Take criticism with a grain of salt. Don’t compare yourself to others at the top!
Everyone’s journey is different and we all have different tactics of conquering! Criticize yourself constructively. Like, what was successful? And, how can I make it better next time?
Don’t throw caution to the wind, remove your emotions from your results and become solution-oriented instead of beating yourself up for things that you “could’ve, should’ve, or would’ve” done.
Try everything! How else do you determine what works best for you? Experiment with different styles, mediums, techniques, research and learn as much as you can.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.rawartists.org/jocelyne
- Phone: 4693210952
- Email: jocelynegarciaortiz@gmail.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/artbyjocelynegarcia/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/JocelyneGarciaStudios/?ref=hl
- Twitter: https://twitter.com/artbyjocelyne
- Other: https://open.spotify.com/track/72NSWzsc2MyVbQqHc7qcs9
Image Credit:
Phallon Wright, Brandy Michele Adams, Ana Verduzco, Jocelyne Garcia Ortiz
Getting in touch: VoyageDallas is built on recommendations from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you know someone who deserves recognition please let us know here.
