Story & Lesson Highlights with Antonio Gonzalez-Garcia of Columbus

We recently had the chance to connect with Antonio Gonzalez-Garcia and have shared our conversation below.

Good morning Antonio, it’s such a great way to kick off the day – I think our readers will love hearing your stories, experiences and about how you think about life and work. Let’s jump right in? Have you ever been glad you didn’t act fast?
As a Spaniard, I never act fast—and I love it. I’ve been living in the US for the past six years, and everyone around me is speeding, insane, angry, and lost.

I’m contemplative, analytical, and strategic when it comes to emotions, thoughts, and business—yes, I see my art creations as a business. Acting fast is, to me, a faulty and naïve behavior.

When I paint with watercolor, everything happens quickly—but only after I’ve created an intricate and tedious plan for how to paint it. The act of painting is simply the icing on the whole process.

Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
Were you ever mentored by somebody? When I look back at my 35 years, I see everyone who mentored and believed in me. I’m so grateful for all of them that I can’t describe it with words. Instead, I give my all to the people I know today and mentor myself.

When I started painting my series Social Organs in 2022, I painted the people who were supporting me here in the US after I moved. I arrived in Ohio during the winter of 2018, so I needed a group to warm me up. My wife’s family and new friends welcomed me with open arms.

The project—Social Organs—became quite something when, in 2024, Scott Burkholder, former Administrative Manager at the Baltimore Museum of Art, created a brief show with a vernissage. The show consisted of two styles of paintings: my Social Organs project and works from direct observation. Many of the Social Organs paintings were gone in two hours. That told me something.

One of my patrons was Mark Anthony Thomas, CEO and President of the Greater Baltimore Area. In March 2025, I had my solo show at Sharon Weiss Gallery. All the paintings were related to the project, and I had my first-ever sold-out show.

Now, I’m creating a new series of paintings about this project, but this time focusing on other people. I was surprised by how many individuals who created great projects in the Midwest and East Coast will be part of this next step in the project.

Besides that, when I mentor through art at my social art program, my art colleagues and I—and even a server—try to do it in fun and laid-back ways. Thanks to a grant from the Greater Columbus Arts Council, the project I lead has been mentoring kids throughout the summer, and we’re looking to keep it going, now more than ever.

Thanks for sharing that. Would love to go back in time and hear about how your past might have impacted who you are today. Who saw you clearly before you could see yourself?
You know, this question touches on the narrative behind the Social Organs project, and on my personal life.

Looking back, I am who I am because of the people who supported me. Isn’t this true for everyone, though? Think about it for a moment. There are people out there who genuinely want to create a better world, who carry an innate empathy for others and sincerely wish for you to live a good life. When I reflect on those kinds of people, I see my mentors and supporters. And it’s no coincidence that more than half of them are teachers and professors. I was fortunate to cross paths with many vocational educators, and that changed my life forever.

I carry many memories of people who saw me, really saw me, and helped shape my life. But there’s one moment that stands out, etched in my mind as one of the most powerful.

It was during a college break. I was drinking coffee with Carlos Manuel López Ramos, my Spanish Literature professor and mentor. He had a commanding presence—sharp, eloquent, and his lectures on literature were unforgettable. Beyond his academic brilliance, he had lived a remarkable life. A former member of the Communist Party of Spain, he had met Fidel Castro in person and traveled the world, engaging with politicians, writers, and literary critics. After meeting Castro, he left the party disillusioned by the luxury surrounding the Commander compared to the harsh realities faced by Cubans. He had lived. He had seen. And he carried that experience with a kind of aura that was magnetic. I was captivated by his stories.

One day, as we stood on the street, coffee in hand, I opened up to him. I shared my insecurities about being an artist, how the label felt banal to me, how uncertain I was about my future. He placed his coffee on the counter, looked me in the eyes, and said:

“Antonio, my son. You are an artist. It doesn’t matter how you try to avoid it—this is what you are.”

That phrase literary changed my life.

If you could say one kind thing to your younger self, what would it be?
Keep going and show up. The strenght lies in being constant.

Alright, so if you are open to it, let’s explore some philosophical questions that touch on your values and worldview. What’s a belief or project you’re committed to, no matter how long it takes?
Right now, I am committed in two major projects.

The first is Social Organs, which I began in 2022. This series has connected me with remarkable individuals, including the founders of the Short North Theater in Columbus, Ohio, the President of the Greater Baltimore Area, or the former Vice Minister of Foreign Affairs of Japan.

The second is ECO&CO—short for Empowering Communities for Inclusion and Coexistence. I lead this initiative, which brings together professional artists to mentor youth, supporting their personal growth through creative engagement. We partner with LifeSmart Education and The Buckeye Ranch, with generous funding from the Greater Columbus Arts Council.

Okay, so before we go, let’s tackle one more area. What will you regret not doing? 
Probably the fact that I’m not improving the society in which I live and where my daughter and other kids will grow up troubles me most.

I see all these people with so much power, so far removed from the reality of the common mortal person. They seek attention through their projects, while so many families still lack basic things.

I create to improve society. I paint to bring people together, and to remind us to be thankful for one another.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.antonioxerez.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/_antonioxerez_/

Image Credits
Antonio Gonzalez-Garcia