We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Wendy Gracia. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Wendy below.

Hi Wendy, thanks for joining us today. Let’s jump back to the first dollar you earned as a creative? What can you share with us about how it happened?

My most memorable experience, that I typically recognize as the moment I realized I wanted my artwork on display in galleries, was also my first gallery sale while in my undergrad. I studied Drawing and Painting at Laguna College of Art + Design in Orange County, and at the time they had just the one gallery on Ocean Ave. A call to student artists was put out for a Holiday exhibition, and I figured, why not?

I wasn’t decided then if I wanted to pursue Illustration or change directions quite yet. I was having a lot more fun in my Fine Arts classes, was learning a lot more and butting heads less with the material and assignments, but I was excited to have a painting I had made in my free time go up on display in the LCAD Gallery. I remember not having any idea of what to do to get it hung, I think I had hammered a sawtooth hanger on the back, and I hadn’t even varnished it before turning it into the Chair of the Fine Arts department.

Looking back, I can’t remember if it sold on opening night, but I do recall that excited, bubbly feeling in my tummy seeing my art on the wall and seeing it alongside so many other incredible artworks and something inside of my head clicked. That was the moment I realized I wanted to continue exhibiting my paintings in galleries, and of course, it’s always so gratifying when they sell.

Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.

I first really became familiar with art as a career during my time at community college. I was born and raised in San Diego’s South Bay, and attended Southwestern College for a few years where some of the arts instructors I had were exhibiting artists. The thought of doing the same delighted me, so I transferred and spent the next few years in Laguna Beach at the art school that’s nestled in the canyon there.

I’ve spent some time as a teaching artist in recent years, and have had the opportunity to table at events in both Orange County and here in San Diego, from Santa Ana’s First Saturday Art Walk to events all throughout the Block in Barrio Logan. Most of my works lately have been exhibited in galleries throughout Logan, from Logan Ave Galeria to Bread & Salt.

On occasion, I accept commissions from friends and followers alike via my Instagram page. Most, if not all, of my current works are posted on there. Some paintings I feel more serious about, and others are simple class examples from my stints in classrooms. Recently, I was able to work with A Reason To Survive, an incredible organization based out of National City, working with the kids in the National City elementary school district making art (and crafting of course).

I believe that all of these experiences have shaped who I am as an artist and influence me in my practice. There is something to be learned from everyone, whether it’s a child asking you to help them draw their favorite Sanrio character, to creating a piece for a themed art show.

Is there mission driving your creative journey?

My main goal is finding ways to connect my art back to my heritage. My parents immigrated here from Mexico and raised me to feel like I belonged, so they adopted American experiences, holidays, etc. Over time, sadly, I’ve felt disconnected to my roots in Mexico and finding a way to reconnect in a nonverbal manner has really helped me feel more tethered. I love to be able to paint something that’s easily recognizable because of how common it is in Mexican culture, such as a still life of pan dulce or a painting of a piñata.

What’s a lesson you had to unlearn and what’s the backstory?

A big lesson I had to unlearn was to not take things so seriously. Myself, or my art. Going to art school that valued representational and figurative art screwed with my perspective in terms of the value of art. If it wasn’t realistic, or if it wasn’t in the style of the masters, then it wasn’t worthwhile. Not necessarily because that was what my professors were telling me, but it was the environment I was in.

Moving back to San Diego, I met a lot
of creatives who were “self taught” who were more focused on community and building relations and creating meaningful connections. I made fast friends with some
of these people, and my fears and ego slowly dissipated. I’ve been lucky to find the support out here needed to build my practice.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://wendyispainting.wixsite.com/wendygraciafineart
• Instagram: https://instagram.com/wendyispainting
• Facebook: https://facebook.com/wendyispainting
• Other: https://linktr.ee/wendyispainting

Image Credits
Amanda López