Today we’d like to introduce you to Frankie Garcia III.
Frankie, we appreciate you taking the time to share your story with us today. Where does your story begin?
I am a self-taught contemporary artist with over 25 years’ experience working and producing art within the professional creative industry. I was raised in the Oak Cliff district of Dallas, TX and my cultural Chicano background has had a tremendous influence on my art, life realities, goals, and accomplishments. I’ve become exceptional at developing color palettes and designing environments with my signature abstract impasto expressive paintings. My energy, emotional and mental state are definitely reflected in my work. I start my canvases with purpose and direction as I manipulate geometric forms, paint layers, and textures to create dimension within my paintings. I’ve learned to work my paint and not allow the paint to do the work for me. Every movement is made with intention to precisely balance my visual compositions. I’m not defining my work as Chicano art, but my work is heavily influenced by my Chicano culture. My “serape series” reflects our color palettes and I’m known for my color combinations, across the spectrum. Graffiti and street art have had a heavy influence on me, and this can be seen in my shapes and movements. When I approach a canvas, I’m looking to create that “wow-factor” piece and I want the viewer to be engaged and wonder… How did he paint that?
I believe, as artists, we have a responsibility to become the voice of action that lead our direct communities towards positive change as we maneuver through our current realities and challenges, through our art.
Over the past 20+ years, I’ve evolved and grown my art business into “the business of art”. I am also a curator and art advisor, or as I’ve termed it, “a professional art partner”.
I’m sure you wouldn’t say it’s been obstacle-free, but so far would you say the journey has been a fairly smooth road?
Starting my own business was DEFINITELY a challenge. As a creative thinker and artist, challenges are part of my process. When I approach a new canvas, I start with an idea… but all along the way, I’m challenging myself, because I know it’s part of my natural creative evolution. I’m trying new applications I’ve yet to refine, I’m using new color palettes I’ve not used before, I’m confidently moving through these challenges and it eventually becomes second nature. I apply this same approach to running my business. There is not a “plan B”. I develop new templates, strategies, concepts for each client and/or opportunity and these do not always work. So, I evolve and pivot until I find a resolution. Our current reality has proven to be my most difficult challenge as a business owner. The pandemic has literally forced me to take more risks than I’ve ever had to face before, and I’ve had to adapt to survive. Living my life as a professional artist for the last 24 years has definitely helped me navigate my way through these most difficult times. Art is my life and living life as an artist is the only way I know how to live. We take risks, it’s what we do.
As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about what you do?
I founded FGIII Fine Art Productions in 2000 as an umbrella cooperative dedicated to establishing unity within the Dallas independent art community as well as instilling purpose and vision into the work of the individual artist. FGIII Fine Art Productions has developed into a full-service, comprehensive art production, and management company. We promote the work of emerging, mid-career, and established artists through curated arts and culture programming with a concentration on producing high-caliber fine art shows and exhibitions. We manage artists, we paint murals, and we partner with art institutions and non-profits which allow us a platform to collaborate with underserved communities. Our relationships with artists set us apart from others in the art industry. I’m an artist myself and I try to approach each opportunity and/or project from that perspective so that I’m not only providing my client with their needs but I’m providing the artist with what they need from each opportunity to make it worth their efforts. We’re committed to empowering artists with the necessary professional assets to drive the growth of their business and create worth through their artistic practice.
What would you say have been one of the most important lessons you’ve learned?
The art business is 100% not easy. It’s a very competitive and difficult business to fully understand and even more difficult keeping up with the markets. I’m constantly evolving and shifting with the times. I’ve learned that understanding the “business of art” and adapting to each opportunity is essential to sustaining our programs and relationships with our clients and artists. A lesson I’ve learned in my industry is to be transparent and up-front about your worth. If you’ve been approached by a client, it’s because they want to hire you. Don’t take on more than you can handle and use contracts to your advantage. Your potential clients should know your fee at the very start of your conversation.
Contact Info:
- Email: frankie@fgiiiart.com
- Website: www.fgiiifineartproductions.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/frankie.fgiiifineart/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/FGIIIArt
Image Credits
FGIII Fine Art Productions
