Who is Ashley Garcia ? 

Ashley Garcia is a 23-year-old surrealist artist based in New Jersey. Born in the Dominican Republic, she moved to the United States at the age of five. Although a language barrier sometimes hindered her social and academic experiences, art became her refuge during the toughest times. Ashley exhibited signs of artistic talent early on but did not take formal art classes until her freshman year of high school. She attended a performing arts high school in New Jersey, where she perfected her art skills, yet found herself feeling dispassionate and unmotivated due to the tedious art assignments she was required to complete.

 

"After high school, I didn’t pick up a brush for two years. I wanted nothing to do with art and chose to major in accounting in college. After countless days and nights spent crunching numbers, I rediscovered art as a much-needed outlet. I realized that I didn’t actually hate art; I just needed to nurture my passion more gently. Majoring in a business field allowed me to protect my creative spirit by treating art as a hobby rather than a chore. I've also acquired valuable skills that bridge the gap between business and art, and I’m excited to share this fusion with the world."