We were lucky to catch up with France Garrido recently and have shared our conversation below.
Hi France, thanks for joining us today. We’d love to hear about when you first realized that you wanted to pursue a creative path professionally.
When I was in Middle School, my class went on a trip to the Metropolitan Museum of Art. I found myself in front of Dali’s, ‘Crucifixion’. It was that distinct time, that I felt as if I was enveloped into the painting that cemented a desire to become an artist. As I gazed at the painting, everything around it and me dissolved, the only thing that existed was myself & the painting. It was magical!
France, love having you share your insights with us. Before we ask you more questions, maybe you can take a moment to introduce yourself to our readers who might have missed our earlier conversations?
“France Garrido is a mixed media artist and independent curator who was born in NYC, NY and now lives & works in Weehawken. When she was 7, her family moved from an urban setting, NYC, to rural NJ. Here is where her love of nature was sparked; she was allowed to wander freely and explore the woods and all that presents itself in the surrounding environment.
As a young girl I visited the Metropolitan Museum of Art, NYC, on a class trip, where I witnessed Dali’s ‘The Crucifixion’. This painting had a profound influence on me. It was an experience that I will never forget. It launched me into another way of thinking about art and its relationship to me. As I viewed this painting, I was transfixed; standing in front of this painting cemented in me a desire to be an artist and I felt that I was standing in front of the most incredible painting ever created! Everything around me and this painting disappeared.
I attended Ramapo College, the Art Students League and independently studied figure drawing. Here I learned and developed from interacting with more seasoned artists. Included in that group was John Gaydos. I have also studied privately with Dr. Raymond, a painter, and Calley O’Neill, a muralist.
Some years ago I was honored to receive a private grant to study the Mexican Mural Masterpieces in Mexico City, Cuernavaca and Taxco. This had a great influence on my art making; it was that profound experience that introduced me to Siqueiros, Kahlo, Rivera, O’Gorman, Camerena et al, first hand.
Simultaneously I began a deep exploration of collage, which grew into a lifelong passion. In 2000, I co-founded the Collage/Assemblage Society, NYC, a successful organization that included collage & assemblage artists from the Metropolitan area. I also became Jonathan Talbot’s, Master Collagist, studio assistant, which developed into a lifelong friendship and treasured colleague. Jonathan taught me best practices and his unique technique for creating and teaching art making.
I have consistently developed my own unique style and language of mixed media/collage, utilizing appropriated, self-generated and manipulated images along with objects, papers and a host of other materials and elements. My content has always focused on Visionary and Surrealist genres. Hannah Hoch, Salvador Dali, Egon Schiele, other cultures, nature and life inspire me. Another influential influence in my life is Steven Peabody, Master Colorist and Visionary painter. With Steven I learned the delicate balance of color and its influence, not only within a painting but how color affects humans and their environments.
In 2009 I was included in the ‘Top 10 Women in the Arts’, ARTROM Gallery, Rome Italy and Lexikon der Phantastischen Künstler*, a compilation of international visionary artists from 60 countries. Fantastic, Surreal, Visionary, & Symbolic, Author/Curator Gerhard Habarta, Phantasten Museum, Wein (Museum of Fantastic Art, Vienna).
My work has been exhibited nationally and internationally, most notably at the UN World Conference on Women, Beijing, China. I continually exhibit my work, most recently at The Newark Museum of Art, Newark, NJ & with the Society for Art of Imagination, an internationally recognized group established by Brigid Marlin in. London. It consists primarily of painters who employ the Misché and variations of it, the Old Masters technique rediscovered/reestablished by Ernst Fuchs.
My work has been highlighted in several publications, such as ‘Imaginezine’, ‘Visionaries’ Catalogue, QCC, NY., “TRAPPINGS – Two Girls Working – Interviews with Empowered Women”. I was also included in “Mosaic Art 2008” – a collective portfolio of contemporary mosaic art as well as “Creative Insight”, “Pick-Up Palette”, Ellen Peckham a publication of Fine Arts & Poetry. My work has been collected as well as commissioned by private & public collectors & collaborators.
My work is in the collection of the Tibet House, NYC & The Newark Museum of Art, Newark, NJ. My work in included in the Artist’s Archives, el MUSEO del barrio, NY, NY., I was also commissioned by the City of Yonkers, NY, to create mosaic works of art in a beautification project for the city.
Although my focus is collage/mixed media, I am also a painter, drawer and mosaic artist. I find all of these mediums fascinating and compelling.
In your view, what can society to do to best support artists, creatives and a thriving creative ecosystem?
Society has an obligation to see the extreme value of all creative arts!
Artists need support to hone their skills and explore the possibilities of their medium, no matter what level they are at in their journey and focus.
As I see it, art & art making not only enhances ones personal life, and societal life, it also provides a place of expression for those who cannot express themselves verbally. I have witnessed this in some of the work I have been involved in. Working with children and adults in a therapeutic and educational setting.
The effect is mind blowing and to see the loss of the arts in our school systems and therefore in our everyday lives is tragic.
What do you find most rewarding about being a creative?
For me, the most rewarding aspect of being an artist is having a studio to create in. I have a safe place to fail and progress. A place to experiment and find creative ways and ideas to pursue.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://artshealingalliance.com/france-garrido
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/studiofrance/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100063620108254 AND https://www.facebook.com/masterfulmosaicsnow/
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/france-garrido-719a99b/
Image Credits
France Garrido