The power of creation. The power of transforming thoughts and feelings, to materialize them. To transfer those emotions to other people or to evoke new ones. It sounds very challenging - and many artists will confirm that it is. In our search for amazing art that will inspire us, not many times we came across artists like Guillermo Lorca Garcia. You will be tricked and if you don't look closer it will seem like a beautiful portrait or landscape from an old masters work. But after a minute or two you will notice a deep, strange look in the eyes of the painted people… You will notice untempted wild energy from the animals, you will see the ruthless struggle of life. It will leave you wondering and searching for a story, it will bring up your own life questions. It will leave you with a desire to ask more.
Looking at your artwork feels like a remedy for the soul. Who is the creator behind the brush? Tell us more about your beginnings and your life.
Since I was a little boy I enjoyed art, I remember I liked Caravaggio and Edward Munch. I loved drawing dinosaurs and was excited about painting materials. But when I was older I did not feel understood in the art career so I abandoned it and went to study in Norway with the great master Odd Nerdrum. I learned from him in addition to some techniques, the total surrender of his being to art with which he achieves moving paintings.
I like to travel and I have been lucky to be able to do it, generally the trips are very inspiring and entertaining. but where I have traveled the most has been through my own mind, I have passed there all kinds of adventures, joys and misfortunes. I've known heaven and hell and I think that some of that is seen in my work.
Despite what my paintings reflect, I am a very sociable person and I always do sports. I love animals, especially dogs. I have 3 in fact, but they do not precede those in my pictures, they are cute and hairy dogs.
The first impression - your paintings look like centuries-old masterpieces of baroque art, but if you look a little bit closer you can find elements of surreal art. Who or what, are your major influences?
I have a lot of influences. I love baroque artists like Caravaggio and Rembrandt as well as artists from other times like Tiépolo, Sargent or Gustave Doré. It has also been a great influence for me, some Japanese animations like AKira or Miyazaki's work in general. There are so many more artists that I love that it would never finish naming them.
People on your paintings are painted impressively real and carry a deep look in their eyes like they are ready to tell us a life-changing story. How much time does it take to complete a painting? And what gives you the most joy?
I usually paint about 3 paintings at the same time, so it is difficult to know how long it takes me on each one. It is a slow and laborious job, it is difficult for me to do more than 8 or 10 paintings a year.
There are several parts of the process that I enjoy, especially the creative part, the search for the moment when the spark arrives and the work begins to take shape.
There is something intriguing and sensual about your art. How would you describe your art to someone at a dinner party that’s never heard of you?
I think I would tell them that I have found some symbols that represent important parts of my being and I enjoy painting them in the best way I can.
While working at the studio, what keeps you focused and what keeps you happy? And what is your most important artist tool?
Staying focused is challenging. Generally the more complex parts of a painting keep me focused. What makes me happy can vary a lot depending on the day but in general starting a new painting excites me a lot.
The most important tool is to keep the imagination well trained, you can change the other tools.
Animals and humans live coherently in your art world, or so it seems. Your art has numerous details, many elements, and all of them are intriguing for viewers' eyes. Having in mind that everyone views art differently - What does your art mean to you?
I see it as the life diary of my unconscious, each painting speaks of deep emotions that I once had or have and I was able to transfer them to the canvas. I think that is a treasure and that is why I strive to do my best.
And for the end tell us, what do you like most about being an artist? And what ART, in general, represents to you?
What I like most about being an artist is that I am always attentive to the world around me to take something from it and be able to create something with it.
For me art is like a soul in pain in search of enlightenment.
No matter if it sounds like a cliché, in the world where we are jumped with all sorts of content every single day - it is a real refreshment to come across an artist like him. Not materializing every single part of his life, having the unchained spirit and investing himself into the work. Slowly but steadily creating a timeless masterpiece. After the conversation we had with him it left me wondering…. How many of us dedicated their life for creating something that will stand the test of time? How many of us gave our body enough time to process all of the emotions, to understand them and give them the right name? How many of us watched the world and decided to give something back?
The FOURLINEdesign team would like to thank Guillermo Lorca García for sharing inspiring thoughts with our community.