Today we’d like to introduce you to Xavier Garza.
Alright, so thank you so much for sharing your story and insight with our readers. To kick things off, can you tell us a bit about how you got started?
I am an artist, author, illustrator and storyteller. My books for children include Just One Itsy Bitsy Little Bite (Piñata Books, 2018), The Great and Mighty Nikko (Cinco Puntos Press/Lee and Low, 2015), Zulema and the Witch Owl / Zulema y la Bruja Lechuza (Piñata Books, 2009), Lucha Libre: The Man in the Silver Mask (Cinco Puntos Press/Lee and Low, 2007) and Juan and the Chupacabras / Juan y el Chupacabras (Piñata Books, 2006). My books have been named to recommended readings lists compiled by teachers and librarians, and I have been the recipient of several prestigious awards for my work, such as the Pura Belpré Honor Award, the Américas Award as Commended Titles and the Jean Flynn Texas Institute of Letters Best Children’s Book Award. Born and raised in Rio Grande City in South Texas, I live with my family in San Antonio, Texas
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
It took me eight years to get my first book published, with lots of bumps along the way. It can be very hard to break into the world of children’s literature as both an author and illustrator. After eight years of not being successful, I was presenting at the Latino Book Festival in Houston back in 2002 where I met Dr. Kanellos, the then president of Arte Publico Press. This meeting led to my first book being published, Creepy Creatures and other Cucuys. The success of that book led to additional books with Arte Publico, as well as Cinco Puntos Press and now Lee and Low Books. I currently have 24 books that I have authored and illustrated under my belt.
Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
From the flour tortillas filled with rice and beans that I ate as a boy, to the Pedro Infante songs that my grandmother sang to me as a child as she rocked me to sleep. I paint and write about what I know and have experienced in my life. Going to Mexican wrestling in Reynosa and listening to Leyendas like La Llorona from South Texas folklore are contributing factors into the work that I do as both an artist and an author. They serve as the foundation that has led me to author and illustrating 24 books, and holding exhibits in Texas, Arizona, California, Washinton and New Mexico.
So maybe we end on discussing what matters most to you and why?
What matters most to me is to create stories and art that will hopefully inspire others to create their own stories and images too. One of the best things one can do as an artist is to create a legacy that will outlive them. In twenty, thirty years, forty years the author/illustrator could be gone, but those stories and art will still be around, hopefully inspiring others to share their own ideas.
Pricing:
- Books can be found at Barnes and Noble, Amazon, independant bookstores and directly from the publishers. Prices range from 10 to 20 dollars per book.
- Drawings, illustrations and paintings produced by the artist range from 500.00 to 5,000.00 per piece.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.facebook.com/charroclaus/
- Instagram: charroclaus
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/xavier.garza.125
- Twitter: XAVIERGARZA@CharroClaus
