Born and raised in San Antonio, Texas, Rodolfo Garza spent 22 years in Los Angeles prior to moving to Seattle in 1997. His only formal art training was in his freshman year at the University of Texas, El Paso and at San Antonio Junior College. While at San Antonio Junior College, Garza was exposed to the art of renowned Southwest artist Mel Casas. Casas opened his studio to Garza and Garza credits Casas for giving him his first real incentive to pursue art. His second and perhaps most influential experience came with Peruvian artist, Francisco Grippa, whom Garza befriended in Los Angeles. Garza credits his friendship with Grippa and the many hours spent in his studio, with giving him the confidence to explore color, texture and composition. Recent exhibits: March, 2004, Collabo Art & Design, Kirkland, WA., opening group show September, 2003, Bellevue Art Museum Cultural Exhibit, Bellevue, WA. August, 2003, Eastside Galleries, Redmond, WA, opening group show May, 2003, Cinco de Mayo Cultural Exposition, Seattle Pier, Seattle WA., (second place recognition). May, 2003, Seattle Symphony's Viva La Musica Latin American Concert Series, Seattle, WA. June, 2003, Isis On First Gallery, Seattle, WA., annual group show. October, 2002, Seattle Art Museum Rental/Sales Gallery, "De Mexico: Oaxaca/Seattle" exhibit in conjunction with SAM's Frida Kahlo/Diego Rivera exhibit. June, 2002, ArtReach Gallery, Seattle, WA., solo exhibit. June, 2001, ArtReach Gallery, Seattle, WA., opening group show In California, Garza has shown his work in galleries in Santa Monica, Newport Beach, North Hollywood, Studio City, Beverly Hills, Sherman Oaks, Burbank and Hollywood. Color...form...texture. These elements are integral to the creation of the moods and emotions that are the underlying theme of my work. Early in my career, my work was Impressionist in style, soft in color and composition. It has often been described as having a Zen feeling, possibly due in part to an unconscious underlying Asian style that infuses my paintings. Yet, there is a starkness to my work that draws you to another place and time. My recent works are created to elicit thought, to touch on a range of moods and emotions, from joy and peace, to solace, sadness, aloneness and loneliness, in both realistic and abstract form. My use of Spanish and English in the titles is a reflection of the two cultures I live in.