Drive around Chico, and you’ll notice Christian Garcia’s colorful murals are hard to ignore.
Painted in bold colors, his images range from a black crow and poppy flower on First and 20th streets to highlighting Mexico's rich Aztec history. His work adorns buildings all over the city, leaving his presence lingering throughout this place he once called home.
“It is such an artistic community, and it’s been so inviting for so long that I’ve had a lot of support there,” Garcia said.
Currently residing in Long Beach, Calif., the muralist continues his artistic mission to cover every available wall with art.
The “Crow and Poppy Flower" mural is among his most prominent works in Chico.
It was created during the challenging times of the COVID-19 pandemic, and its central message symbolizes hope and the promise of a brighter future.
“It was kind of like this idea or this uncertainty of going into the future and paying an ode to those who had passed … thinking this doesn't mean that it's going to continue to be a dark time,” Garcia said.
Finding his artistic path
Art has always been present in Garcia’s path. Spending summers and school breaks in the Bay Area, where he would visit his family, Garcia constantly encountered expansive, lively murals along the way.
“Being in the epicenter of a big city that had so much energy and vibrancy from all the murals, the artwork and the graffiti around, I think it just really helped influence,” Garcia said.
Heavily influenced by graffiti culture and techniques, he began teaching himself art at an early age, a skill that would lead him to his life’s work.
“I think it's time for me to start pushing what it is that I want to see.”- Christian Garcia, artist
Although he initially studied graphic design at Butte College, his life ultimately led him down a different path. After graduation and attempting to enter the professional graphic design field, he realized the industry wasn't a good fit.
“It wasn't something for me, like it felt too structured,” Garcia said. “It felt like the demand was kind of high, and it just didn't feel like it was your artwork anymore.”
Garcia felt it was diminishing the personal artistic connection to the work, especially when creating graphic design for businesses.
“There's that balance between doing projects that kind of have a direction and kind of have the feel, versus like the passion projects that are just inspiring to me, or something that I've been thinking about or wanting to put together,” Garcia said.
Painting with purpose
Having invested the time, Garcia is now selective, focusing more on projects that have value and meaning to him as an artist.
“I think it's time for me to start pushing what it is that I want to see,” Garcia said.
His work has been profoundly influenced by his culture, heritage and community.
Lately, Garcia has placed particular emphasis on his Mexican identity, which he explored in studio projects and murals.
“I think the most inspiring thing is resiliency and thinking like we're hard-working people, and that there are so many stories to tell there,” Garcia said.
He has been incorporating elements like tapestries and floral motifs, as well as bird or other animal species that are strongly associated with Mexican heritage.
Garcia also considers nature as his paramount muse for his creations.
“Just kind of like figuring out a way to blend that together in an aesthetically pleasing way, as well as making people think about it a little and be like, ‘oh, you know, I'm familiar with this animal, but I never thought about it in that perspective,’” Garcia said.
Now in Southern California, Garcia says his new setting is immensely motivating, empowering him to advance his work and explore new avenues.
But even after his departure from Chico, he says people still keep him in mind if they need an art project in town.
“I feel blessed, and I feel grateful for the opportunities that my hometown, that I truly did love and do love so dearly, is still so welcoming and inviting,” Garcia said.
