Auditorium Artwork

The Works of Mario Garza                        

“I was 20 years old when I purchased my first 35mm SLR Minolta XE 5 camera and began taking serious black and white and color photos.  I’m a self-taught artist using a variety of mixed media to produce subtle to bold dramatic portraits and landscape paintings. I use my photography and digital imagery to pursue a photorealism style of painting. By using my digital images as a model, I am able to get a unique representation of a one-of-a-kind original work of art. My inspiration comes from portrait artist John Singer Sargent, Wyeth, the Photo Secessionists and the Abstract and Neo Expressionists of the 40’s, 50’s and 60’s.” --- Mario Garza

Mario Garza (American, b. 1954)
Bill Greehy

The Works of Mario Garza

Born and raised on San Antonio’s East Side, Mario Garza is a self-taught artist, a musician and a composer. He is the son of Mexican born parents who encouraged him to express himself through music and art. Whether being allowed to paint murals on their walls or practice his music in the living room, he and his brothers were given room to create. In addition to his photography, Garza has also worked in watercolors, oils and pastels.                              

“I was 20 years old when I purchased my first 35mm SLR Minolta XE 5 camera and began taking serious black and white and color photos.  I’m a self-taught artist using a variety of mixed media to produce subtle to bold dramatic portraits and landscape paintings. I use my photography and digital imagery to pursue a photorealism style of painting. By using my digital images as a model, I am able to get a unique representation of a one-of-a-kind original work of art. My inspiration comes from portrait artist John Singer Sargent, Wyeth, the Photo Secessionists and the Abstract and Neo Expressionists of the 40’s, 50’s and 60’s.” --- Mario Garza

Mario Garza (American, b. 1954)
Carl Raba
Mixed media on cold press watercolor paper
6 x 4 feet

The Works of Helena Hernmarck

Helena Hernmarck, a renowned Swedish weaver, graduated from art school in Stockholm in 1963.  Later she emigrated to Canada, then England and finally to the United States.  Her active studio in Connecticut continues to support Swedish textile arts with exhibits and collections throughout Europe and the United States.

Her masterful ability to harness light and color through handwoven tapestries begins with an image, followed by painstaking months of row by row hand weaving.  Hernmarck combines the luminous colors of the rya wool producing dynamic impressions viewed at a distance.

Helena Hernmarck (Swedish, b. 1941)
Cloudscape, 1975
Rya wool, linen warp and wool weft
25 x 25 feet

Provenance: USAA, San Antonio, Texas

In 1975, Hernmarck was commissioned to depict a South Texas sunset, directly by USAA in San Antonio, Texas.  The enormous tapestry was generously donated to Texas A&M-San Antonio in 2017, enhancing the University’s growing collection of contemporary art.

The Works of Mario Garza

Born and raised on San Antonio’s East Side, Mario Garza is a self-taught artist, a musician and a composer. He is the son of Mexican born parents who encouraged him to express himself through music and art. Whether being allowed to paint murals on their walls or practice his music in the living room, he and his brothers were given room to create. In addition to his photography, Garza has also worked in watercolors, oils and pastels.

“I was 20 years old when I purchased my first 35mm SLR Minolta XE 5 camera and began taking serious black and white and color photos.  I’m a self-taught artist using a variety of mixed media to produce subtle to bold dramatic portraits and landscape paintings. I use my photography and digital imagery to pursue a photorealism style of painting. By using my digital images as a model, I am able to get a unique representation of a one-of-a-kind original work of art. My inspiration comes from portrait artist John Singer Sargent, Wyeth, the Photo Secessionists and the Abstract and Neo Expressionists of the 40’s, 50’s and 60’s.” --- Mario Garza  

Mario Garza (American, b. 1954)
Dan Jr. & Peggy Hughes
Mixed media on cold press watercolor paper
6 x 4 feet

The Works of Mario Garza                        

“I was 20 years old when I purchased my first 35mm SLR Minolta XE 5 camera and began taking serious black and white and color photos.  I’m a self-taught artist using a variety of mixed media to produce subtle to bold dramatic portraits and landscape paintings. I use my photography and digital imagery to pursue a photorealism style of painting. By using my digital images as a model, I am able to get a unique representation of a one-of-a-kind original work of art. My inspiration comes from portrait artist John Singer Sargent, Wyeth, the Photo Secessionists and the Abstract and Neo Expressionists of the 40’s, 50’s and 60’s.” --- Mario Garza

Mario Garza (American, b. 1954)
Gene Stallings

The Works of Mario Garza

Born and raised on San Antonio’s East Side, Mario Garza is a self-taught artist, a musician and a composer. He is the son of Mexican born parents who encouraged him to express himself through music and art. Whether being allowed to paint murals on their walls or practice his music in the living room, he and his brothers were given room to create. In addition to his photography, Garza has also worked in watercolors, oils and pastels.

“I was 20 years old when I purchased my first 35mm SLR Minolta XE 5 camera and began taking serious black and white and color photos.  I’m a self-taught artist using a variety of mixed media to produce subtle to bold dramatic portraits and landscape paintings. I use my photography and digital imagery to pursue a photorealism style of painting. By using my digital images as a model, I am able to get a unique representation of a one-of-a-kind original work of art. My inspiration comes from portrait artist John Singer Sargent, Wyeth, the Photo Secessionists and the Abstract and Neo Expressionists of the 40’s, 50’s and 60’s.” --- Mario Garza  

Mario Garza (American, b. 1954)
John & Weisie Steen
Mixed media on cold press watercolor paper
6 x 4 feet

The Works of Mario Garza

Born and raised on San Antonio’s East Side, Mario Garza is a self-taught artist, a musician and a composer. He is the son of Mexican born parents who encouraged him to express himself through music and art. Whether being allowed to paint murals on their walls or practice his music in the living room, he and his brothers were given room to create. In addition to his photography, Garza has also worked in watercolors, oils and pastels.

“I was 20 years old when I purchased my first 35mm SLR Minolta XE 5 camera and began taking serious black and white and color photos.  I’m a self-taught artist using a variety of mixed media to produce subtle to bold dramatic portraits and landscape paintings. I use my photography and digital imagery to pursue a photorealism style of painting. By using my digital images as a model, I am able to get a unique representation of a one-of-a-kind original work of art. My inspiration comes from portrait artist John Singer Sargent, Wyeth, the Photo Secessionists and the Abstract and Neo Expressionists of the 40’s, 50’s and 60’s.” --- Mario Garza  

Mario Garza (American, b. 1954)
Peter Holt
Mixed media on cold press watercolor paper
6 x 4 feet