Meet Javier García Sánchez

Artist and Educator

By ProDPI

January 8^th, 2024

Javier hangs a series of 3 Walnut Framed prints.

“My earliest memories involve playing with wood and drawing, exploring the beauty of my grandparents’ wood workshop in a small village in Spain.”

Javier looks at his large Framed Canvas in admiration.

Surrounded by Ancient Beauty in Spain

Inspired by their upbringing in a medieval Spanish town of golden stones, Javier is an artist and educator who bridges age-old wisdom with the contemporary world. His work includes figure drawing, calligraphic abstraction, and analog photography, all exploring the delicate yet boundless essence of the present moment.

Javier's background includes diverse educational paths, from Art & Design at Central Saint Martins to International Commerce at the University of Salamanca to Management at Gothenburg University in Sweden.

Javier sits in front of his Walnut Framed Prints looking at his art in front of him.

“I grew up in a city full of ancient buildings, covered with statues, paintings, symbols, allegories… I loved learning about them and drawing them.”

Javier sits with his legs tucked up in a wicker chair. He is next to a book shelf full of books and a Walnut Framed Canvas.

Drawing Inspiration

Javier draws inspiration from his travels and interactions with diverse people, which constantly open his eyes to new perspectives. He finds that there’s a common thread of mindfulness and awareness of the present moment.

His other practices, such as meditation, aikido, and the Japanese tea ceremony, infuse his art with mindfulness. Ancient texts and visualizations from meditation often find their way into his work. Aikido enhances his understanding of the human body, aiding in his figure drawing. Learning the art of the Japanese tea ceremony sharpens his senses for craftsmanship and intricate details.

“I’m drawn to work that is both delicate and boundless. Works that evoke, suggest, make you wonder.”

Javier meditates in front of his Large artwork in a Modern Metal Frame.

“Recently, I've been captivated by the works of Pina Bausch, the elegance of Japanese calligraphy, and the rich Tibetan imagery found at the Rubin Museum. ”

Javier hangs two Modern Metal Frames above a mantel.

Expanding and Experimenting

Much of Javier's recent work revolves around the use of walnut ink, a deep, rich brown medium historically used by artists like Da Vinci and Dürer, or for creating illuminated manuscripts.

At the same time, he enjoys experimenting with new materials and techniques to unlock fresh possibilities. He has liked using an old Polaroid SX70 from the 70s, a cyanotype kit for sun-powered prints in Lisbon, crafting woodcut prints in an Oaxacan workshop, or capturing moments with a simple disposable camera found in a Parisian market. While Javier always carries a small notebook and pencil, he finds joy in continually expanding his toolkit.

“Share your work as frequently and widely as possible.”

Art is Connection

Art helps Javier connect with his feelings and bring to life something that oftentimes cannot be expressed through words.

He hopes that others find pieces of themselves in what he creates, that it makes them wonder, and that it makes them look at the world differently. Javier wants to share his work more broadly and create and hold space for others to share, create, and grow artistically and personally.

“It’s inspiring to see the work printed at a different scale than how it was originally created — you notice new details and it unlocks new perspectives”

Javier stands in front of Acrylic Prints

The Value of Printing

Javier shares how valuable printing his work is as it allows him to experience his art at a different scale and share it with others. He also loves seeing the work printed in different materials, like Acrylic Prints, that may give the work new dimensions and layers — the medium amplifying the message.