It’s hard to believe it’s been such a long time since I last posted an interview on this blog. I’ve never gone that long without writing! The stuff of life and work just got to me. I couldn’t make the time and mental space to work on the blog. I had to do something to make it up to you. So here's the interview to Mac Garcia. Mac is a very young and talented artist from Texas. All his works show an amazing vibe and energy. His caricatures are thoroughly-entertaining without ever giving up on likeness or quality. It's an honor for us to host Mac on our blog.

Please take the time to visit his website www.macgarcia.com and facebook page.

Tell us a little about yourself

First I would like to thank you for doing these interviews as I believe it can strengthen and encourages many artists. To tell you a little about myself, I'm a Christian, I'm married and we have two young kids and when I’m not drawing I'm usually changing diapers, spanking or doing something with the church.

When and how did you come across the art of caricature?

In High School my mother told me I needed to start working. And she forced me to apply at a theme park to do caricatures. I had no desire or interest in caricatures at all. We had season passes there as kids and would go quite regularly during the summer and I new of the caricature booths there but never stopped or cared for it. I loved to draw but I was more into realistic art. It took about two years until I fell in love with caricatures.

Do you make a living as a caricaturist?

Yes. I’ve been drawing caricatures full time for at least 10 years now. I love this one quote from Robert Henri where he said “I am interested in art as a means of living a life; not as a means of making a living.” I’m so very thankful that my wife and I and our 2 kids can live off caricatures but this is more of a hobby or passion for me. I mention this because in our country a lot of artists only draw caricatures to pay their bills. The thinking goes like this “There is no right or wrong way of drawing caricatures so likeness and exaggeration don’t really matter”. Their desire is to only get through their lines of customers so they can get their top sales award, and I’ve done this before. It’s my opinion that our ambition should always be focused on producing good art. When we put our bills or a top sales award in that spot then that’s when our growth and this art form for the future can take a tumble.

Do your caricatures get published in magazines newspapers or blogs?

Not that I know of. Most of my works are done live at events and parties or here at my home studio.

Are you in touch with the world of art galleries?

Nope, never heard of “the world of art galleries”.

Are you physically in touch with other colleagues?

Yes I gather with a group in my city to train and practice. We meet at coffee shops and parks and practice on unsuspecting people. We share with each other what is going on in our minds and our thinking as we each draw the same person.

Do you take part in gatherings, exhibitions, fairs, or guild/club?

I’m a member of the ISCA and I attend their yearly conventions. It’s a lot of fun and has been a huge part of why I’ve grown in love with this art form within the past 3 years.

Who are the masters you admire the most?

Bruno Hamzaqgic, Nate Kap, Jim Maester, Ernesto Priego, Walter Toscano, Thierry Coquelet, Jan Op De Beeck and many others.

Does your online activity affect the way you approach your work? How much time do you spend online?

A few hours a day I guess. I draw in the studio during the week and my computer is always on so I get to see a lot of other artists’ works.

Can you tell us a little background on the group Traditional Caricature Contest. How it was started, who started it? And so on. Tell us about your experience in the group.

A caricaturist named Tasiir Franz who has a strong passion for using traditional media started it. He wanted to create a group where photo manipulation programs and digital software weren't used in the creation of caricatures. It’s been a huge joy just getting to know and learn all the different approaches the artists take on a particular subject. It has been a huge inspiration for me.

Can you tell us a little about your technique?

Recently I have been using watercolours but I try to let the subject’s personality and energy determine the choice of medium and technique. What I don’t want is to have my entire world look the same or to have someone be able to tell that I was the artist. I’m not the best at it but I want the choice of technique and medium to all be pointing to the subject.

Can you give some advice to young cartoonists?

Know why you want to draw caricatures and draw, draw, draw! Make sure your thinking and motivation is right as you gain experience. Experience is good but only the right kind. There is a thinking, and this may only be in my city, that says success is determined by Top Sales, popularity, most Facebook likes, general publics approval & applause, tips, the longest line at a booth etc. Those things aren't wrong but it would be if I used those things to decide if I was a success or not. I believe success in caricatures is characterized by the artist’s ability to capture likeness through the means of exaggeration. And our motivations and goals should lean towards the art and not an economic gain. If someone can do that and do it well it doesn’t matter if they get a reject or make top sales at their booth, they have succeeded. I would consider an artist who was characterized by drawing rejects or if they did it only as a hobby without pay a success if they caricatured someone with perfect likeness using exaggerations. It all comes down to the quality of the work and the art spirit within an individual. Success is sticking close to the master caricaturists principals, motivations, teaching, encouragement and correction. Principals can change and grow into new ones but it’s done by artists and not the general public. The general public know very little about caricatures and if we use them to affirm or teach us we will all end up selling lies and not using exaggerations. Most of us know exaggerating and likeness is important but because of the pressures and fears we can sometimes not draw that person the way they really look and feel.

Let me give you some examples of wrong thinking that can cripple an artist spirit and growth. I have spoken to many caricaturists in my city and this is what I have heard…

“…but I made more tips than you and people like my stuff better”.

“I don’t go to the ISCA conventions because when I see better works I feel discouraged”.

“My customers approval is all I need for growth”.

“I’m all about pleasing the customer even if I have to eliminate all exaggerations and double chins (likeness).”

“We’re business men not artists.”

I would highly recommend a book called “The Mad Art of Caricature” by Tom Richmond. It’s the best book I have read that teaches the basic theories and principals of how to see people as caricatures.

Caricature by Mac Garcia (All Rights Reserved)

13 - Do you have any hobbies or other passions?

Yes, after I finish a caricature order or event I like drawing caricatures and when I’m tired of drawing I like to envision caricatures as I walk past people in stores and in the clouds as I’m driving or riding my bike. And when I get tiered of seeing caricatures in my wallpaper I take a break and draw caricature.

Interview Series #5 - Mac Garcia

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