WESTLOCK – While many things were shut down during the pandemic, it did not stop Westlock dance instructor and painter, Judith Garcia, from taking her creativity to new heights.
The local artist instead turned to designing her own clothing.
Garcia, 59, began transferring her artwork onto clothing more than a year ago and has since, sold several pieces of clothing with her paintings and unique designs, as well as made several customized items for individuals.
“It’s an ongoing project that I started over a year ago, but really didn’t think about it going anywhere until I started actually producing some pieces and ordering them for Christmas gifts and realizing, these are very nice,” said Garcia. “It gets my creativity going and I love that it’s making me think outside the box and thinking different directions.”
Garcia creates her clothing line by uploading images of her paintings and designs to a website for a Quebec-based business called Le Galeriste. In addition, she often transfers photographs onto her clothing as well and can create other items such as pillows, tote bags, pouches and wall tapestries.
“I did a beautiful line of Banff shirts, pants, pillows and totes from when I went to Banff with my husband. I took beautiful photographs and translated that into a clothing series,” she said. “Each series has about 30 pieces in it. Whatever photograph or piece of artwork you enter, you have a choice of 30 pieces. Every single one is so different.”
An artist for most of her life, Garcia has been a dancer and dance instructor and more recently, turned to painting, selling several paintings at auctions for various fundraisers and non-profit groups. She also has painted murals, including the one outside of St. Mary of the Assumption Church in Westlock.
Garcia has incorporated paintings and photos of nature and people onto her clothing and is now considering adding aspects of dance and dancers for her clothing line. Her
artwork has adorned pants, skirts, T-shirts, leggings, scarves, and ponchos, and already has dozens of creations through the clothing line. Every day she is allowed to post three new images to the website, and with those images she is allowed to upload her artwork or photographs on to 30 pieces of clothing or items.
“You can make a whole ensemble,” said Garcia. “I think I have about 50 to 55 pieces of artwork or photos that I put in my portal and from those I design all the new things I want to make.”
While Garcia can create items to sell to the public, most of the clothing she’s designed so far has been for gifts and for family members. She does not create clothing on a regular basis but remains committed to doing so part-time.
“I did make two outside sales, which was a great surprise,” said Garcia. “I didn’t think anybody was going to buy anything, but they did.”
Although Garcia may return to teaching dance in the near future, she does want to continue using her creativity to create beautiful clothing and items for family, friends and people to enjoy.
“If everything stays open and I’m allowed to perform flamenco again, I’m allowed to sing opera again, I’m allowed to perform and teach, then I will only be doing clothing part-time,” said Garcia. “But I won’t stop doing it because it’s so much fun for me. It’s a whole new (path) for me and it’s very cool.”
