Adriana Garcia is the illustrator of the new children's picture book For a Girl Becoming, written by the former U.S. Poet Laureate Joy Harjo. Garcia's other books include Where Wonder Grows, written by Xelena Gonzalez. Garcia lives in San Antonio, Texas.
Q: What do you think Joy Harjo’s poem says about girlhood and family traditions?
A: I think Joy’s poem recognizes the complexities of growing
up and understands that it is a journey wrought with highs and lows but also of
transformation. The poem affirms that the family traditions which give us
solace and guidance can carry us through this becoming.
Q: The Publishers Weekly review of the book says, “Visualizing Indigenous
traditions and underlying values of family and interdependence, it’s a
profoundly loving blessing of a book for anyone in a place of becoming.” What
do you think of that description, and what do you hope kids and adults take
away from the book?
A: What a beautiful review. Because I view Joy’s powerful words as a benediction, I put love and intention in each illustration. I feel my painting became a part of that blessing. Personally, I feel like I still have a lot of “becoming” to do. I look forward to it because I’m surrounded by amazing people.
I grew up with my immediate family and extended family celebrating not only life milestones together but also recognizing personal achievements and accolades. Today my family has extended to a chosen family and a larger community.
Our success is dependent on us holding each other up
throughout our lives. By doing so we reinforce the sense that we are not alone.
A sentiment that I feel this book communicates beautifully.
Q: What was your artistic process as you worked on For a Girl Becoming?
A: I so often showcase my community in the work I do, by using friends and
family as models for the images. Since I know them and their personal journeys,
I couldn’t help but reflect on their lives as I painted.
This makes the process so much more special to me. It
becomes a chance to visit, chat, take photos, and create memories. Fleshing out
the compositions becomes a puzzle where I can create any puzzle piece to fit
what’s missing.
Additionally, as I created the illustrations I listened to audiobooks Crazy
Brave and Catching the Light by Joy Harjo. I found her voice and words informed
the painting and helped guide them in the right direction. Creation is personal
so I did sprinkle in all kinds of details in the illustrations that I hope add
to its uniqueness.
Q: Anything else we should know?
A: I gave myself a goal of illustrating five picture books when I started out in 2017. Today For a Girl Becoming is a celebration of a plan completed.
I am now in the early stages of developing a graphic novel that focuses on my ancestors. They were part of a traveling carpa group, akin to a traveling tent circus, but they would perform specifically for migrant workers and other Mexican-American barrios throughout Texas and the Southwest during the Depression.
My work is based on my grandfather’s stories of traveling together with his siblings and parents as La Carpa Hermanos Garcia, entertaining audiences with vaudeville-like performances that included acrobats, fortune tellers, singers, dancers, strong-men, musicians, ventriloquist, seamstresses, and so much more. This is an important part of my legacy—uplifting my community through art.
--Interview with Deborah Kalb
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