With her artwork having been shown in Las Vegas, Los Angeles, at Miami Art Basel and in Europe, the art world has become familiar with her vibrant and sexy depictions of some of the most beautiful women in the world on canvas. Now we take a closer look at the breathtaking woman behind the brush, Mexican born Gilda Garza.
Having been born in the dangerous Sinaloa Mexico, Gilda was painting from an early age following in the footsteps of her Mother and Grandmother. “Ever since I can remember I was encouraged to take what I was feeling and put it on canvas, whether it was love, anger, fear or pure joy.” With the dangerous surroundings where she lived including members of her family being kidnapped more than once, Gilda found painting to be a creative escape from reality and a perfect form of expression and therapy.
Garza has always had a huge passion for fashion and her taste for luxury design was apparent from an early age. “I remember when I was 13 going in to the Cavalli store and would look at the beautiful dresses, dreaming of the day when I would be able to wear one these dresses, in my eyes wearable masterpieces.” Gilda built up such a good relationship with Cavalli and their team that her artwork has now been designed on to a number of pieces, including a denim skirt and jacket combo and most recently a couture gown.
With her art and style having become synonymous with high end luxury, it is no wonder she caught the eye of the most expensive sore in the World, House of Bijan on Rodeo Drive, Beverly Hills. Garza has painted four custom pieces for the store named the “Bijan Kings”, which can now be viewed by appointment in the store. The kings are a part of her current collection “Kings and Queens”. “My inspiration for this new collection is True Love, how you can make your partner feel like a real King or Queen, and that is when you know you have the true love. Now is the time to celebrate this.”
Now residing in Scottsdale Arizona, Gilda has made a big impact on Scottsdale fashion week, further cementing the link of fashion and art. In 2018 she collaborated with designer Nicole Miller and in 2019 her art set the scene for the incredible runway show of Michael Costello. Stars of sport and screen attended the event in the gardens of a beautiful private residence, including American Pie Actress Tara Reid and the beautiful WWE Bella Twins.
Not only does Gilda bring the most beautiful women in the world to life on canvas, but being a huge fan of sports has painted some of the most famous Mexican sports stars at their request. Boxer Canelo Alvarez was presented with a custom Gaza portrait in Las Vegas before his fight with Julio César Chávez Jr, the painting was donated to the House of Migrants in Tijuana. She has also painted a huge sculpture of a shoe for the Phoenix Suns basketball team.
Giving back to charities is an important part of Gilda’s life, donating many pieces to charity events and auctions. At her Los Angeles show in 2018 her portrait of Annalynne McCord was auctioned off by Annalynne herself for the stars anti human trafficking charity, Together1heart. The piece raised an incredible $10,000 for the charity. As well as Annalynne McCord, Gilda has painted a number of celebrities at their request including Snoop Dogg which she presented to him on board a yacht party in her honour, as well as world famous DJ, Zedd.
With Gilda continuing to paint daily, the art community are waiting with bated breath to see where this exceptional will be showing next. Having had a sellout show in Spain in 2018 it is likely Garza will take the Kings and Queens exhibition to Europe in the Summer of 2019, with shows being planned in Venice and London. Too keep up to date with all things Gilda Garza you can visit her website at www.gildagarza.com or follow her instagram at @gildagarza007.