We had the good fortune of connecting with Carmen Garza and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Carmen, why did you pursue a creative career?
Actually, it chose me. Ever since I was a child, I recall my love for creating art. I would sit quietly by myself for hours and use crayons to create stain-glassed drawings on paper. No two were ever alike and they were bursting with unique shapes and colors. I remember that art was my favorite class too.

When I became a teenager, my creative interests also included snapping pictures with my Kodak Instamatic camera and Polaroid. I discovered the limitless world of creativity.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
During my college years, one of my assignments was to create a children’s book from concept to completion (I.e. writing, illustrating and physically putting a mock-up together). I had thoughts of publishing this someday and even create a series from it. It’s still in my forethought.

I am truly blessed to have the ability to paint, draw, sketch by hand and to professionally capture digital images with my camera as a working photographer. I am also an internationally published writer, whose works have primarily centered around the music industry. These abilities and more are what encompasses me as a person.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
I currently reside in the Greater Phoenix area. The Sonoran Desert is where I have called home for the past 24 years. I never actually thought that I would move here since I am a beach bunny by nature.

At any rate, I would most definitely plan a road trip to Sedona, Grand Canyon, Saguaro Lake to proudly show my friend the beauty and mystery that is the desert. When it comes to nightlife, I would take my friend to downtown Phoenix, where there are endless places to dine and be entertained (I.e. great restaurants, unique bars, comedy clubs, sports venues, music auditoriums and performing arts theaters).

 

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
I would like to dedicate my creative success to my father, who reluctantly foot the bill for my formal artistic college education.

Website: https://www.gigshots.net/

Instagram: @carmenatgigshots

Linkedin: http://linkedin.com/in/carmengarza

Youtube: @GigShotsCarmenG

Image Credits
Luiz Lopes

Nominate Someone: ShoutoutArizona is built on recommendations and shoutouts from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you or someone you know deserves recognition please let us know here.