Meet Hebé García

Reprinted with Permission from Canvas Rebel
Image Credit Hebe Garcia

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

Hebé, appreciate you joining us today. We’d love to hear about when you first realized that you wanted to pursue a creative path professionally.

Since childhood, I have always been interested in drawing and painting. I used to watch my mother paint with admiration, and I still clearly remember the smell of turpentine, her oil paints, and her brushes. She kept all her art supplies in a room we called “The Empty Room,” which was not empty at all. It was filled with books, magazines, a sewing machine, photo albums, a black and white television, and an ironing board. However, the most important thing to me was my mother’s artwork. She was an amateur artist who had taken drawing and painting classes as a teenager. I loved watching her copy photographs of flowers, landscapes, and sometimes even the human figure with her oil paintings and chalk pastels. To me, they were masterpieces. I once attempted to drink the turpentine she had poured into a glass. It tasted terrible, but as it is told in my family, it was as though the spirit of art had entered my bloodstream. Art class was always my favorite subject in school, and I enjoyed any project that required an artistic touch. Soon, my teachers discovered my artistic inclination and entrusted me with decorating bulletin boards and designing syllabus covers. I used to daydream about becoming an artist and mastering the painting process. In 1982, I applied to the Art Department at the University of Louisiana at Lafayette and was accepted. Despite some personal doubts, I was excited about what the future held and left the comfort of my home to pursue my aspirations.

​I took my first official drawing class at UL Lafayette. I followed it up with a strong curriculum in Painting, Printmaking, Screen Printing, Jewelry, Art History, and more. This opened my eyes to the world of French Impressionists, Vienna Secessionists, and the Pre-Raphaelites, among others. Their works particularly captivated me as they told stories within the artwork itself. I was drawn to making a work of art that could speak to the viewer and evoke diverse feelings. In 1986, I graduated from the University of Louisiana at Lafayette with a degree in Fine Arts. I returned to Puerto Rico thinking of applying for a master’s degree in art at the Sorbonne University and immersing myself like the Impressionists in the art world of Paris. My goal was to become a professional artist, but instead, I got married, and my career took a backseat for 23 years. When my daughters went to college, I finally decided to pursue my dream. I joined the San Juan Art League and spent four years surrounded by other artists, which helped jumpstart my career. Since then, I have worked hard, participating in both collective and solo exhibitions, and have made a name for myself in the art scene in Puerto Rico and, more recently, in my new homestead in Abiquiu, NM.

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?

I was born in Miami, Florida, but spent my formative years in San Juan, Puerto Rico. In 2015, my spouse and I embarked on a bold move, relocating to Abiquiu, New Mexico, near our daughters who resided in Texas. My work as an artist entails creating figurative oil paintings and ceramic sculptures that explore feminism, mythology, and cultural heritage. The human form is the focal point of my works, frequently blurring the line between reality and surrealism. I aim to provide my audience with several possibilities, enabling them to engage, connect, and formulate their interpretations.

I find oil painting and clay sculpting equally challenging and exhilarating, so I often switch between the two mediums. Ideas come to me spontaneously, particularly while driving or in dreams. Once an idea takes root in my subconscious, I become obsessed and feel compelled to bring it to life.

My painting process often begins with creating a sketch, using art model poses, and modifying them with Adobe Photoshop until the composition, color palette, and theme harmonize. This sketch is transferred onto the canvas, and I begin a dialogue with the artwork. At this point, I may make modifications to the drawing until it accurately conveys my vision. Next, I apply layers of oil paint slowly, commencing with a transparent oxide red base color, which often enhances the nuances and gradations of the other colors used. Patience is crucial when working with oils, as it is essential to achieve a result that exudes the life, texture, and mystique I strive for.

In the latter stages of my artistic career, I discovered the art of sculpting in clay. A fellow puertorrican artist suggested I join a group of sculptors at a clay studio. What followed was a cathartic moment for me, and since then, whenever I feel stressed or drained from painting, I turn to clay for solace, or vice versa. I am more impulsive when sculpting than when painting. I usually do not begin with a sketch. Instead, I have a concept and dive straight into building the sculpture. I prefer using mid-fire stoneware clay such as Laguna’s Red Sculptural or Max’s Paper Clay. I construct the sculpture using coils and slabs, often using a mirror to ensure the figure’s features are accurate during the building process. Once the sculpture is complete, I fire it at cone 3, strengthening the piece and preparing it for glazing. I then glaze-fire the sculpture numerous times at lower temperatures until I am content with the surface treatment.
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In my artwork, I am captivated by the enigmatic aspects of human nature, both internal and external, and how we navigate our emotions, desires, fantasies, and impulses. As a result, my focus in art centers around figurative pieces. My paintings and sculptures are unique and original, created using only the finest archival materials to ensure longevity. My home and studio are atop a Mesa in Abiquiu, NM, affording a breathtaking 360-degree view that includes the legendary Cerro Pedernal, a favorite of Georgia O’Keeffe. This ancient land, steeped in history and enchantment, has inspired my work to new heights. I am a member of the New Mexico Potters and Clay Artists and the Gentileschi Aegis Gallery Association. My pieces form part of both private and public collections. They can currently be seen at the Nest Showroom in Abiquiu, as well as at the NOSA Inn and Restaurant at Ojo Caliente and at my studio gallery.

Can you tell us about a time you’ve had to pivot?
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In 2014, my spouse proposed relocating from Puerto Rico to the United States. He transitioned from managing a small business to working remotely and was eager for a significant change. My artistic career had only recently gained momentum in Puerto Rico, after a prolonged intermission. Consequently, I was keen on establishing myself further as an artist before any potential relocation. The primary incentive for the move was to be closer to our daughters, both living and working in Houston, Texas. We deliberated the matter for a considerable length of time and eventually decided to explore our options. In 2015, we sold our residence in Ponce, which was a significant event for us, having lived there for 28 years since our marriage. We visited Abiquiu, New Mexico, and were captivated by its serene locale, flourishing artistic community, and natural beauty. Although it was not Texas, it was sufficiently close to our daughters to facilitate regular visits. By the end of 2015, we had procured a plot of land in Abiquiu and relocated temporarily to Ojo Caliente while we constructed our home and studio.
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The decision to relinquish the security of our home and family and start anew at our age was not without challenges. Residing in a small Casita without a studio necessitated considerable effort. The construction of our new home in New Mexico proved to be problematic, as is typical of all construction projects, and took us two years to complete. Finally, in 2017, we relocated to our new home. I was then tasked with establishing myself in New Mexico’s art community. It required a great deal of diligence, perseverance, and dedication to promote my name, but it has been an enriching experience. The encounter gave me renewed energy and made me acknowledge that it is always feasible to start afresh. I am now a part of a thriving artist community that is stimulating and invigorating.

We’d love to hear the story of how you built up your social media audience?

​As a late Baby Boomer, I find social media quite daunting, much like many of my contemporaries. However, with the assistance of my daughters, I have learned to utilize Facebook/Meta and Instagram. These platforms have allowed me to showcase my work, share pictures of my paintings and sculptures, and attract numerous clients. Additionally, I can publicize any upcoming solo or collective shows I will participate in.

My husband is very tech-savvy and helped me create my website using the Squarespace platform. To make my social media accounts eye-catching and easy to navigate, I had to learn Adobe Photoshop. This tool has been handy in converting my artwork photos into the correct format for uploading to different platforms. Additionally, I can design postcards, flyers, and other promotional materials for social media and printing purposes.

I am grateful to my daughters and husband for helping me navigate the world of social media as an artist. I advise other artists to take advantage of the accessible tools available to promote their work and not be afraid to use social media to their advantage.

Contact Information for Hebe
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• Website: www.hebegarcia.com
• Instagram: hebe_garcia_finearts
• Facebook: Hebe Garcia Benitez