Claudia Cadena Garcia
Artist Statement
When I was little, I remember I used to paint in books, my parents would always give me drawing and painting books and I had a lot of paints, colors, markers, crayons, glitter, etc. I remember I had a little house in my toys’ room, and I would imagine that I was working as an artist and would convert that little house into my studio. When I was 15, I used to draw every afternoon in my room after school on my bed and I got obsessed with drawing portraits, so I set myself a goal of improving my portrait drawing skills.
I think the most important thing about my work is to depict realism, I prefer to show what things truly are. I have always said, “the simpler, the better.” It is also related to showing that art is about expressing and relieving emotions. When I am feeling angry, desperate, or stressed I do not let myself continue with an art piece or a project because I know that I can ruin it, and when I am feeling happy, peaceful, and joyful it is when I do the best of artwork. I always start with an idea and there is when all my work starts to take place and shape. It could be something simple such as a single word, letter, item, etc. Most of my artwork started from a thought or an idea of a certain object. One key factor for me to start working on something is time, I always begin my work when I want to do it or when I know I will have time to do it without any distractions. When I work on projects, I always try to make the most content as I can in a day, and then, day by day continue with tiny details.
I have always thought that doing what brings you joy will give you the best results in whatever you plan to do. During these years of completing my bachelor's degree in Graphic Design, I got to learn more, improve my art skills, and even discover other skills and passions. I feel excited about what is yet to come and yet to learn, because I have always said that people never stop learning and we never get to know it all.
