Today we’d like to introduce you to Gabby Garcia
Hi Gabby, thanks for joining us today. We’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
I have loved art for as long as I can remember. As a little girl, I would doodle and paint for fun, and that passion continued through grade school and college. During college, I began helping with marketing and promotional materials for various organizations, which led me to minor in graphic design. That’s when I fell in love with digital art and typography.
A huge part of my journey is my faith. I have a deep relationship with Jesus and continue to learn more about Him every day. As a visual learner, I often feel that when God speaks to me, I see it in pictures or images. Sometimes, the only way I can express a thought, idea, or feeling is through illustration. In October 2020, I started an Instagram art account as a way to hold myself accountable to creating consistently—whether the work was good or bad. It wasn’t meant for sales; it was simply a place to share my random illustrations. Over time, it evolved into a space where I shared images that reflected the things God was teaching me. That’s when I realized my art had a greater purpose—I wanted to share biblical truths with the world in a fun and colorful way.
Then, life got busy. COVID hit, I graduated college, got married, moved to a new city, and started a full-time marketing job in San Antonio. My art took a backseat.
During my three years at Gray Digital Group, I gained valuable skills in marketing, design, and website building—tools that would eventually help me launch my own art business. In 2023, after having my son, I decided to leave my job to stay home with him. Art was still on the back burner, and my mind was set on other ways I might reenter the workforce one day.
That all changed in the summer of 2024. A good friend randomly asked if I could create some art for her home in my style. I, of course, said yes. It was the first time someone had commissioned me to create something that was truly me. Coming from the marketing world, I was so used to designing for others—aligning with their brand image or aesthetic—but this was different.
I fell in love with the piece I created for her. It was a fun challenge, and from that moment, doors started opening without me even trying. Two more people saw her artwork and asked me to create pieces for their homes. Then, I attended a gala in Houston for Hope International, where I was unexpectedly introduced to someone who commissioned a large oil painting from me.
In the midst of all this, I started gaining creative momentum. I was sketching more, experimenting, and exploring new mediums. I watched a few YouTube videos on oil painting, bought some basic supplies, and before I knew it—bam—I was oil painting. Up until that point, I had only used Procreate on my iPad for digital illustrations, so it’s funny to think how naturally oil painting became part of my process.
In October, we found a part-time school for my son, which gave me the time and space to truly kickstart my art career. I built a website, put my marketing knowledge to use, created more content, and began sharing my work regularly. Before I knew it, I was fully booked with commissions through March 2025.
I’m still learning and figuring things out as I go, but my hope is to grow my art career organically and, one day, make it a full-time pursuit. I’m not interested in the influencer life or chasing large followings—I just want to create art that I love and use it to help others experience the love of Jesus.
I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
Not exactly. Being a mom is my top priority, and I love it—but that also means it can be challenging to fit everything I need (or want) to get done into the short window of time my son is at school. And, as many parents know, if naps are skipped or I’m simply exhausted from parenting, my art often takes a backseat.
Beyond that, I’m figuring out how to stay relevant and grow a loyal following without getting caught up in the social media, influencer-driven world. I know that sounds nearly impossible, especially since I understand the power of social media and how algorithms work from my background in digital marketing. About a year and a half ago, I deleted my personal social media to protect my mental health and create healthier habits—avoiding impulse buying, doom-scrolling, and constant distractions. So when I started my art account, I was intentional about not falling back into those old patterns.
The challenge is creating content while staying true to myself—resisting the pressure to cater to the algorithm, avoiding the trap of constant posting, and not getting caught up in others’ perceptions or comparisons with other artists. I’m also exploring which platforms might be the best fit for me. Instagram may not be the answer, and lately, I’ve been considering YouTube since it allows creators to generate income from their content and build a more engaged, loyal audience—one that could more easily translate into sales.
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
Loaded question!
I’m a digital illustrator and oil painter. While oil painting is a newer medium for me, I’ve fallen in love with it and picked it up surprisingly fast. I’d love for it to become my primary way of creating art.
My style is colorful, funky, and whimsical—almost childlike in its playfulness. But what truly sets my work apart is how it intersects with my faith. I love creating visuals inspired by the images and messages I feel the Lord has given me, using art as a way to tell stories and communicate deeper truths. There’s a strong narrative woven into my work, and I think that spiritual perspective, combined with my use of vibrant colors and a dreamy, imaginative style, makes my art unique.
Right now, I’m especially proud of my current collection. I’m painting things I never imagined I could, and each piece carries a story—deeply personal lessons I feel the Lord has taught me over the years. I’m still in the midst of creating this series, but I’m honestly blown away by the progress I’ve made and genuinely love what I’ve created so far.
Do you have recommendations for books, apps, blogs, etc?
Yes! A few YouTubers have helped me kickstart my art journey.
Paint Coach (he literally taught me all I know about oil painting lol)
Uncomfy Co (she is the one that gave the the push and tools to actually start this business)
Brooke Cormier (Has been a internet mentor for art related topics)
Kelsey Rodriguez (Has been a internet mentor for art related topics)
I have really enjoyed the Notion app which I use for a digital planning space for all things art business.
Procreate is the app I use on my ipad.
Not necessarily relevant to my art making, but the podcasts I have on repeat while I create art are:
National Park After Dark
Rule of Life
Crazy Love Podcast
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.gabriellegarciadesign.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/gabriellegarciadesign/
