About

Music paints a picture, colors sing. Bold, vibrant colors for me are emotional synonyms for happiness, contemplation and exhilaration. Each color and color combination evokes a different level of emotion in me. Always painting with music in the background, I use acrylic paint on canvas with varied brush techniques to create an easy, energetic vibe. My style of painting explores the peaceful harmonious relationship between nature, its music, people and the power of color, shape, and movement. Influenced by my diverse experiences in different cultures, channeling through my memories and imagination, I feel waves of music surrounding me. My focus is that gift of childlike wonder, that pulls at the heart strings and lights up my heart. We’re bombarded all day long with news and information, mostly negative. I choose to unplug, live in the now, and hone in on the optimism, playfulness and serenity of a simple, beautiful moment.

My Story

Hi, I’m Dalia. An American painter and bilingual singer/songwriter, living in Nashville, Tennessee. I grew up in Madrid, Spain and Irmo, South Carolina. I’m a graduate of University of South Carolina with a Bachelor of Arts in Studio Art and former Miss South Carolina. As a U.S. military brat, I grew up traveling like a modern nomad. In Europe, for over seven years, I was surrounded by all types of cultures, art and architecture. Lucky to have many passions, music also took me around the world, singing a duet and backup with Julio Iglesias for 8 wonderful years. I landed two record deals, one with Universal Music, and have performed with numerous bands over the years. With a sketch book in hand, and painting whenever possible, I was never far away from my art. For me, visual arts and music co-exist, one influencing the other. In 2012, I created the artwork for an album. That inspired the painting style I call, “In Living Color.” After years on the road, only painting part time, the moment was right for my artwork to take center stage. The Pandemic allowed me the time to focus solely on my art. I went wild painting, letting my imagination and passion roam free. Since immersing myself in the artworld these last few years, I’ve had the amazing opportunity to exhibit a good bit around Nashville and surrounding cities. I’ve been selling paintings, doing commission pieces and murals. Always excited to explore all the possibilities and opportunities that come my way and enjoying my roller coaster journey!

Curriculum Vitae

2024 – Jazzmania 2024, Artwork Selected by the Nashville Jazz Workshop Committee for the Live Auction, October 19,  The Factory in Franklin, TN

2024 - Todd Art Gallery - Collaborative Contemporary Art Exhibit – Perceptions of Reality, July 27- Aug 17, Juried Group Exhibition, MTSU, Department of Art and Design at Middle Tennessee State University, Murfreesboro, TN

2024 – Green Hills Library Art Gallery, Curated Solo Exhibition, July 1 - July 31,  3701 Benham Ave, Nashville, TN

2024 –  Red 225 Gallery - Intimacism,  Group  Exhibition, June 01 - July 29, Reception from 5:00-8:00 on June 01 and July 6th, Curated Group Exhibit, 507 Hagan St, Suite B, Nashville, TN 37203 in the Packing Plant building

2024– Lorenzo Swinton Gallery – Reconquista, May 02 - June 01, Curated Group Exhibition, 106 N. 2nd Street, Clarksville, TN 37043

2024 – 1st Number: Inc. Magazine Event Hosted by Kathleen Boyle and her Red 225 Gallery, Feb 03 - March 30, Curated Group Exhibit, 507 Hagan St, Suite B, Nashville, TN 37203

2024 - The Artists of Armory at Advent Design Headquarters, Curated Group Exhibition(ongoing), Nashville, TN

2023 - Alumni of Periscope: Artist Entrepreneur Training, Juried, Arts and Business Council of Greater Nashville, Nashville, TN

2023 – Collaborative Contemporary Art Exhibit - Here We Are Now, July 15 - Aug 19, Art Exhibit Highlights the Multicultural Perspective of a Dynamic, Juried Group of Artists, MTSU, Todd Art Gallery, Murfreesboro, TN

2023 – The Artists of Armory at Advent Design Headquarters, Starting Apr 2023 and ongoing, Curated Group Exhibition, Nashville, TN

2023 – Green Hills Library Art Gallery, Apr 1 - Apr 30, Curated Solo Exhibition, 3701 Benham Ave, Nashville, TN

2023 - The Soundwaves Gallery, “Nashville in Rhythm,” Juried Group Exhibition inside the Nashville SC Stadium at GEODIS Park through the 2023 season, Nashville, TN 

2023- Murfreesboro Center for The Arts, Feb 10- March 3, Curated Solo Exhibition, 110 W. College St., Murfreesboro, TN

2022 - 2023 - The Engine Fueled by Ankara, Curated Solo Exhibition, 2963 Sidco Drive, Nashville TN

2022 - Mentor for Mural Project for Hispanic Heritage Month, Watkins College of Art, Belmont University 

2022 - Artist of The Week, October 10 - 16, Juried, The historic - The Nashville Sign Billboard

2022 - The Soundwaves Gallery, “Voices of Nashville,” Juried  Inaugural Group Exhibition inside the Nashville SC Stadium at GEODIS Park through the 2022 season, Nashville, TN 

2022 - Concourse Mural, Juried, One of five finalist for the mural, GEODIS Park, Nashville, TN

2021 - Featured in NashvilleVoyager Magazine - https://nashvillevoyager.com/interview/rising-stars-meet-dalia-garcia-of-old-hickory/

2021 - Celebration Creative Voices, Creative Visions, Juried Group Exhibition of Contemporary Latin and Hispanic American Artists, MTSU, Todd Hall, Murfreesboro, TN

2021 - Rhythm & Resonance: expressionism in stereo, Curated Two Person Exhibition, Murfreesboro City Hall Rotunda, Murfreesboro, TN  

2020 - Greenway Art Festival, Virtual Juried Group Festival,  Murfreesboro, TN

2020 - Women’s Suffrage Education Form Through Art and Discussion, Curated Group Museum  Exhibition, Bradley Academy Museum, Murfreesboro, TN

2016 - “Venice in Springtime,” Commission Mural, 16ft X 8ft, Marina Del Rey, CA

2007 - Miami University College of Engineering, Curated Solo Exhibition, Oxford, OH

2004 - “Ashby in His Garden,” Commission Mural, Columbia, SC

2004 - Nashville Public Library - Hispanic Heritage Month, Curated Two Person Exhibition with Gil Veda, Nashville, TN

2003 - Contemporary Hispanic Art presented by Madison Art Center, Curated Group Exhibition including Jairo Prado, Madison, TN

2002 - Artwork selected by Tennessee Jazz & Blues Society 30 Year Anniversary commemorative T-shirt, Nashville, TN

1995 – “Bring in The Outdoors,” Commission Mural, Nolensville, TN

Education 

University of South Carolina Bachelor of Arts in Studio Art
25 + Years Self Exploration in Visual Arts, Including Sculpture, Watercolor, Drawing and Acrylic Paintings