Walfrido's "Bridge of Destiny," shown here, incorporates curving lines reminiscent of the curves of the human form.
"Colors of the Heart" is a classic Walfrido image, depicting a water's-edge cave and the ocean swept by blazing light.
Hawaii-based romantic realist Walfrido is best known for his light-swept seascapes. Vividly dramatic interpretations of natural vistas, they include blazing sunsets over secluded coves, waves and shorelines seen from within flower-edged caves, and vibrant water's-edge visions bathed in sun or moonlight.
Despite the international popularity of these classic canvases, Walfrido remains eager to keep growing and developing his God-given talents -- and has recently been exploring new artistic avenues.
His new canvases include uplifting scenes of America's East Coast shore, dockside images that represent a stepping-off point for dreams and adventures, and depictions of low-lying bridges whose curves recall the curves of the human form.
The son of artist Edgardo Garcia, Walfrido spent his childhood following his father around the studio, cleaning his brushes, studying his technique, and learning. By the time he was 17, he was teaching art classes and had his work placed in a California gallery.
Today, Walfrido is happily married and a father himself. He speaks glowingly of life with his two young daughters. In addition, he teaches emerging artists -- in part through a long-running regional television show, a video and online classes -- and derives deep satisfaction from encouraging his students.
Recently, Walfrido offered some insights into his inspirations, new directions and creative philosophies.
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Q: How would you describe a traditional Walfrido image? What distinguishes your classic work?
WALFRIDO: A classic Walfrido painting is most probably a seascape adorned with light, whether it's moonlight, sunlight or other natural occurrences. The ocean is what I live and die by. If I get called a seascape artist for all time, that's not a bad thing.
Q: As you explore beyond your characteristic images, what subjects most appeal to you?
W: All my paintings have something to do with nature and the elements of air, fire, water, and sky. I started doing volcanoes, path scenes, rivers and valleys -- and to my surprise, it has been very well accepted, and that has only encouraged me to go deeper into deeper things.
The seascape is a foundation. I'll never stop doing the traditional work that I do, but the new stuff gives me fuel for creativity.
Q: What do your dockside scenes signify?
A: I call them a platform to your dreams. The docks represent a launching pad for the day's adventure, but at the same time they represent the edge of the world where you can daydream -- where you can enjoy the solace of water but be on land.
Q: Now that you're creating new kinds of images and exploring new subjects, what elements unify your different styles of work?
W: The common denominator is light. Light is a basic ingredient in our lives and it affects everything we see. It's light that brings out my belief in God and thanking him for the talents that he's given me.
The difference between an illustrator and an artist is that an illustrator will paint the sun, while an artist will paint the light. And I'm somebody who paints the light.
I like to think that I'm sharing the light. I have aspirations to do streetlights on Bourbon Street, candlelight images and still lifes -- there's still a lot for me to explore.
Q: In some of your recent paintings, you've been incorporating palette knife techniques and other new ways of creating. Describe your approach in that type of work.
W: I've started in brush, so I can get my color and lighting down, and the details are done a la palette knife. With a palette knife you get more random details. It doesn't leave the same footprint as a normal brush. The details aren't meant to be photographic, but more expressive.
I've started doing multi-media. I'll do acrylic backgrounds and oil on top. I'm actually being encouraged to try mixed media from James Coleman. I love his wonderful gold leaf and silver leaf pieces.
Q: What reaction do you hope your work will inspire in your viewers?
W: Art's main job is to promote emotion and thought and feeling. The type of people I'm looking for are the ones that get spiritual inspiration from my pieces. I want them to walk away with the feeling that their cup has been filled with inspiration -- to have more energy, to have more peace, to have more everything. Those are the things that I get out of my own art.
Q: What matters to you most about your work? What's most important about it to you?
W: The Creator is the supreme artist, and imitation is a form of flattery -- and therefore, I see myself as flattering the Creator. I didn't invent paint, or the scenery; I just took what was out there and gave it back to people in a way that they could enjoy. The joy that people receive daily assures me that the work belongs to the world now.
When I was a student, I would look at other artists' work to get an idea of how they used light. But it wasn't until I started looking directly at nature that I realized that you cut out the middleman and go right to the source. I think that ability has enabled me to get a more direct contact from the viewer to what I'm seeing. You might call me a medium -- because I only translate the beauty of nature and God's light.
Q: As well as unveiling recent images at your shows, you usually paint new works while art lovers observe the process. Why is doing this important to you?
W: I get energy from the public. I'm actually more of a performance artist, and that means I get a lot of joy from having people watch the creative process.
I've always painted in front of a crowd. To me, part of giving back what I've been given is showing people how it's done. When you actually see a painting being made in front of you, it brings you that much closer to the art.
It's like watching a story unfold when you watch a painting being painted. When I paint on location, I invite anybody interested in art to take a close look at my technique, my methodology. For a moment, you'll know what it's like to be an artist by just watching the brush hit canvas.
Q: You've been a prolific artist for many years now. What motivates you to keep exploring and keep painting?
W: For me, it's a cycle of planting nurturing, harvesting and then marketing. Art, like life, is a journey. It's not just where you are; it's where you've been and where you want to go. Once you stop searching to grow, then you die.
By definition, art is a branch of learning. With the type of art that I do, I learn not only about myself, but about the things I love: light, color, composition, nature.
Q: As well as continuing to learn, you're passionate about teaching -- especially through your television show and Internet lessons. What makes teaching art so important to you?
W: I was bitten by the bug early. The fact that you're opening someone's mind and helping them grow artistically helps the teacher. The teacher is the guide to a certain place in the universe. By showing people how to get there, they keep experiencing it as a new place. And they always see it with a different eye -- someone else's eye.
Q: What do you do when you're not working or teaching?
W: Right now, I try to spend as much time {as possible} with my girls, Rose Malia and Sonja. This time of my life is the best time of my life.
