We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Virginie Garcia. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Virginie below.
Virginie, thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. Can you open up about a risk you’ve taken – what it was like taking that risk, why you took the risk and how it turned out?
Amanda Palmer said : You’re an Artist when you say you are, and you’re a good artist when you make somebody else experience or feel something deeply or unexpected. 2 years ago, I quit my job to pursue my dream. Sharing the magic of Art with the world. That’s when I created <<<The Social Art Experiment >>>
A mobile Art Studio, a multi cultural art organization dedicated to promoting, presenting and preserving the power of Art as a healer.
Last summer as an experiment, I set up shop in a park and invited the world passing by to paint with me…………Using a big white canvas, and small ones that they will stamp on the big one, after having thrown paint in random matter. No Thinking, just Doing. The idea was to convince every individual that creativity is available to everyone. By simply showing them that by removing words and just doing….. Magic will happen. And it did…. The smiles, Awes, and comments like, I will paint with my daughter now……… Every time she asks. Not only filled my heart but vindicated my soul, for taking the risk of leaving a well paying job and following my heart Art desires..
As always, we appreciate you sharing your insights and we’ve got a few more questions for you, but before we get to all of that can you take a minute to introduce yourself and give our readers some of your back background and context?
My name is Virginie Garcia, also known as FiFie… A multi media artist currently living in Seattle, Wa. Who wants to live in a world filled with innovative inspiring businesses, 300 pages books that comes with extra dark chocolate and double shot of espresso.
I’m quiet, analytical, very observant and will notice things that most don’t. My mind is complex and I usually project an aura of seriousness due to my cautious nature. If you need real advice, straight with no sugar coating. Call me! Was a wild A+ student. love flaws and imperfection they make for something more interesting. have a small circle of friends but tones of acquaintances. can go from 0 to 60 in a NY minute if taken there. Ambitious, Patient, Reliable, Loyal, Sarcastic and Moody. Don’t have an amazing body or flat stomach. I have scars, they are. Chapters of my story book. A highly motivated mom, wife and former worker and manager with over thirty years of experience in hospitality and retails. Born and raised in Cannes, France by a Sicilian family. Graduated in 1990 from a small art school. My past as an artist can be traced back to my childhood and the influence of my grandfather, who was an invisible but prolific artist in Sicily and France. I would have the honor and privilege of sitting on his lap and watch him delicately recreate the seascape in front of us.No words were allowed, but precise observation was expected. My move to the States in 1995, marked a new beginning in my life. Letting go of family ties, learning a new language, new culture, new friend, new family. All that while being undocumented… .. I now live with my husband and daughter in an cute apartment, who is also my home Studio, which is my favorite place to be. ( working on finding an actual studio , and getting out of my living room, sooner than later.) Some days are for messy beginnings others more refined. Visual is my life and nothing fulfill me more than the opportunity to motivate a new generation of creative with the world. Art is about fun and being creative at the same time. I create most days. Thus every form on canvas carries a part of me, my work reflects the importance of being in the moment, feeling, experiencing and being aware of the here and now. Pieces are shaped by questions, emotions raised everyday, and the constant struggle to create a more inclusive, nonjudgmental sustainable society.
Which gave life to <<The Social Art Experiment. >>>Our mission and intentions are To create experiments about unforgettable experiences through Social Art.
All that to say ….Make Art a way of life, and life a work of Art.
Are there any books, videos or other content that you feel have meaningfully impacted your thinking?
Start with Why? Simon Sinek. A deep dive into the Why’s of Life.
A book every entrepreneur should read.
In your view, what can society to do to best support artists, creatives and a thriving creative ecosystem?
– Buy handmade – Share it with the world, without forgetting to mention the Artist.
– Tell family, friends, barista, hairdresser, dog-groomer, walker to give you a shout out.
– Give the artist time and support, over and over again like they do for Beyoncé.
Contact Info: