by Liz Benitez:
Orange bubblegum.
Dragon Ball Z stickers.
TLC’s Fanmail posters at Kinkos. 9 year-old Funky Garcia was the definition of hustle. A definition worth more than words in a dictionary.
Funky Garcia found a way to keep his elementary school pockets full by selling collectable bubblegums and TLC posters to his 4th grade classmates. Running through lunch money came easy. When asked about his early hustling spirit, Funky reflected, “It’s probably something I got from my dad, he was always a workaholic.” Garcia’s inclination to start something for himself. Garcia’s ambition is a reflection of his father. His compassion, his mother. Knowing Garcia is knowing heart. A balance that Garcia is still learning to master; but these two are only echoes from the center of who he is. An artist with an inclination that remained and grew into clarity. An artist willing to be an advocate for collective support and resources.
Born in Fountain Valley, California, Garcia learned to be on the go prematurely. Moving through Orange County by way of Anaheim and Fullerton and growing up in the Inland Empire via Corona, Riverside, and San Bernardino, Garcia maneuvered with an aptitude for connection. Keeping true to his hustle, Garcia continued to sell handwritten name artwork and mixtapes in high school. Everything came full circle when his creative capacity grew. An OC kid at heart. “But the I.E. taught me the hustle,” Garcia gives tribute to the I.E. for cementing his drive. The I.E. is where Garcia flourished. Garcia made several attempts to make his own music, but life kept pointing toward his art. “Focusing on my artwork brought me around the music more.” Making up one fourth of B-Fly, Garcia and a group of friends were the high school outcasts with a knack for print, design, and music. Doors opened after initially meeting Fly Guys, a Los Angeles music group that brought them on board for a few artwork projects. Garcia ventured into design projects that helped establish lifelong friendships and allowed him to explore the landscapes of music and art. Being more present in the I.E. allowed Garcia to join forces with I.E. artists that supported and were integral to Noa James’ BrickToYaFace, a platform that has represented I.E. artists in a multitude of opportunities through live shows. Years of being a part of this community challenged Garcia to blossom into various spectrums of work including booking manager, art show curator, and stage coordinator. Garcia continued to blossom when he landed back in the OC. Comic Book Hideout. A staple in the center of Fullerton, CA, a leading destination for collectables, comic books, and a community of like-minded friends. “We’re all one,” Garcia described the Hideout as his second home, where he currently curates monthly shows and brings together creative individuals and lovers of all things creative. Garcia is revered as a renaissance man. 10 years of highlighting new colors on his life canvas. From drawings to graffiti to murals, Garcia’s artwork comes to life in the choice of color, story of every line drawn, and personality in every subject perspective. “It’s all very therapeutic for me,” Garcia shared with surety in his voice. He leads every piece with the thought “What can I leave behind?” in mind. Garcia aspires to open his own art gallery soon and continue connecting; becoming a resource for budding artists looking to find their way.
Painter. Artist. Host. Collector. Muralist. Project Manager. Art Curator. Community Builder. Brother. Friend. Funktastic. To name a few. Garcia has had the capacity to show up for countless roles throughout his life. Roles that are only layers of who Garcia is. At the center is his heart.
Funky Gallery Page: @funky_gallery
