BIO
Jacob M Garza was born and raised in San Antonio, TX. He's an artist, educator and academic advisor. He creates paintings and drawings of people and places. His work explores nature, memory, and identity. He uses personal experiences and oral stories passed down from his family to create a narrative within his work. Jacob has had his work published in VoyageHouston, Aspire 2 Inspire, Love & Chaos and Glasstire. He graduated with his BFA in Painting at Texas State University.
I create works of art that explore memory, identity, and nature, using mysticism as a lens to evoke sacred, fleeting moments that shape who we are. Rooted in my Tejano and Mexicano heritage, my work blends personal experiences with oral stories passed down through my family, crafting a narrative that bridges cultural heritage.
The process of layering transparent colors and images mirrors the flow of memory, with each stroke of paint revealing new layers of meaning. Influenced by Chinese and Japanese watercolor traditions, I embrace a meditative approach, allowing the image to emerge organically through automatism. This technique creates rhythmic motion within the piece, guiding the viewer’s eye through atmospheric scenes that evoke the passage of time.
In my work, memory blurs into myth, and the stories we tell about who we are serve as a bridge between worlds. Drawing inspiration from Mexican Muralists, German Expressionists, and contemporary artists like Ivan Montoya, Sky Gablush, and Naudline Cluvie Pierre, I strive to create works that invite reflection on the layers of identity and experience that shape us.