Spurs Zone Q&A: San Antonio artist talks about creating portrait for Spurs' Lonnie Walker
SAN ANTONIO — Little did Robert Garza know, he was about to give a huge assist to an NBA player.
Garza, who is from Monterrey, Mexico, is an artist at the San Antonio Artist Collective Gallery at La Cantera and admits he had no idea who San Antonio Spurs rookie Lonnie Walker IV was when he entered the San Antonio gallery.
Instead, he just assumed the Spurs guard was just another customer stopping by to see what the gallery has to offer.
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Robert Garza Artist, Lonnie Walker Spurs player, and his girlfriend Emily |
In this Spurs Zone Q&A, Garza discusses his portrait of Walker and his girlfriend, how it all started, realizing he was helping a member of the Spurs and much more.
Jeff: How did this all begin?
Robert: Actually, Lonnie and a friend of his came into the gallery one afternoon, and having no idea who they were, I approached them as I would any other customer.
After a bit of conversation, he mentioned that he was looking for a portrait of him and his girlfriend, which is something that we’re very capable of doing.
Truth be told, I only learned of who he was once he left, after Googling his name. His friend had suggested that they both played sports, so I was a little curious about who they might be. Needless to say, I was very surprised to learn that he was a Spurs player!
Jeff: What inspired you to do this for him and his girlfriend?
What I did for Lonnie, which is something that we’ve not done for others, was to suggest that he let me hang it in the gallery in an inconspicuous location, and have him bring his girlfriend by without any idea he ordered a portrait.
My idea was for her to just stumble upon it while browsing the art. He thought the idea was brilliant, and we set the wheels in motion.
When they came in together a couple of days later, we acted as though we had never met. When she came upon it, she was completely overcome with emotion – and said (more than a few times) that it was the best gift anyone had ever given her!
Jeff: What did Lonnie say when you presented it to him?
He was absolutely speechless when he came in to view it ahead of the surprise presentation! He told us that it by far exceeded his expectations.
Jeff: Do you think you will do a portrait of another Spurs player?
I would love to! Every one of them in fact!
If so, which player you'd like to paint and why? That’s hard to answer. They really are a class act up and down the roster, on and off the court. The players are very active in so many community programs throughout the city. I’d really love to do a portrait of any one of them engaging with people they’re helping and whose spirits they’re lifting off the court.
Jeff: Tell us more about your work and where people can find it.
I have had the very good fortune to make paintings for governors, mayors, singers, athletes, educational institutions, companies and private clients, etc.
I currently paint at the San Antonio Artist Collective gallery at La Cantera most weekends. The gallery’s purpose is to promote the art of all the artists who live here in San Antonio. Our group features more than 120 artists and includes more than 2300 original works of art, which can be bought online at www.gallerysa.com, or in either of our two large galleries located in The Village at Stone Oak and The Shops at La Cantera.
In addition to private clients, we’re looking to connect with professionals to make them aware of the San Antonio Artists Collective as a convenient and affordable resource for local original art for their private practices or corporate offices.
