Meet Nina Garza | Nature & Wildlife Artist

We had the good fortune of connecting with Nina Garza and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Nina, is your business focused on helping the community? If so, how?
Artsefact was originally founded to share our passion for art, nature, and wildlife. Over the past years, it has evolved into so much more, though. It has become a platform to educate about endangered species through art.

We are spreading awareness of endangered animals and plants by educating our community with fun facts, quizzes, live streams, and more on social media and blogs.

Part of our proceeds from art sales are donated to charities focusing on conservation efforts. We also encourage our community to live a more environmentally thoughtful life and do their part to conserve and preserve habitats, wildlife, and forestry themselves.

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
I focus on endangered wildlife and forestry. While I work in a variety of different media, wet and dry alike, all my paintings tell the story of a threatened animal or plant.

During my painting process, I research and learn a lot about my subjects, which I happily share during my live streams on Twitch. This gives me an intimate knowledge of them, which I can reflect in my artwork.

Many of my subjects are not well known, and some may even come as a surprise to be endangered. A great example is the Clydesdale horse. Despite its fame through the Budweiser commercials, it is considered an endangered breed with fewer than 5000 left worldwide. Or have you heard of the Golden Mantella, Whooping Crane, Pygmy Raccoon, or Saola?

These are the animals I love to share about, because they deserve a voice, too. Yes, I enjoy painting Elephants, Tigers, and co as well, but I also want to give the “little guys” a chance to tear at people’s heartstrings.

It is amazing what can be achieved through conservation efforts, once people come together and laws are put into place where needed. Just check out the incredible comeback story of the Whooping Crane!

Can you tell that art and conservation are just a dream match for me? So how did I even get here? I have been doing art (and crafts) all my life. My mom introduced me very early on and even today, whenever she tries something new, you can find me at a store shortly after getting new supplies. My dad always included me in all the fixings and buildings around our home. My grandparents were super supportive of all my art as well. All of them also instilled a deep love for animals and nature in me. They taught me to be respectful and appreciative of them and to live in harmony with them.

Was it easy? Far from it. For years I struggled to find my style. I thought I had to make up my mind as to which medium I would forever paint in and that’d be that. It took me years to embrace my curiosity and need to try out new things. So my style is me. I love ink, watercolor, gouache, pan pastels, and pastel pencils, but also acrylics, graphite, oils, and all the other mediums. My style is the story I tell. A story of habitat loss, pollution, poaching, invasion, and the dire need for conservation.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
Oh my, usually whenever I have friends or family visit, we tend to take road trips and don’t stay much in the area. But let’s give it a shot.

Places to Visit: Spring Creek Greenway Nature Center for some local wildlife and then a hike through the trails, Cypress Trails Ranch for horseback riding, any of the museums, zoos, etc. I usually also check for local events, like the Woodlands Waterway Art festival, Christmas parades, Rodeos etc. See something that catches your eye? Stop and go for it! In for a dance? Go for some Two-steppin…

Eateries: Corkscrew BBQ, The Olive Oil, Texas Roadhouse.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
Aside from my family and their incredible support, Susie Cortez (https://www.instagram.com/sooztheartist/) is probably one of the main driving forces behind where I am today. She has been tireless in her encouragement and mentorship.

Website: https://artsefact.com/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/artsefact/

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/company/artsefact/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/artsefact

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Artsefact

Other: https://www.twitch.tv/artsefact

Image Credits
Matthew and Nina Garza, © Artsefact LLC