About

My paintings are often the result of observational moments—juxtapositions in everyday life that make me pause, reflect, and feel. In a world constantly bombarded by negative news and information, I’ve chosen to unplug and embrace the present. I focus on the simplicity of serene moments that might otherwise go unnoticed, capturing the optimism, playfulness, and peace found in the small, quiet corners of life. Drawing from my experiences across different cultures, my music, my memories, and the world around me, I seek to translate what I see and feel into a visual language. All this background gives me a diverse outlook and a rich well of inspiration. When it comes to my artistic passions, music and visual art are intertwined, one influences the other. I have found they both express similar emotions through the use of texture, shapes, color and movement. I channel the energy and rhythm of the music directly into my artwork, by always having music playing while I paint. Using different genres of music brings out different moods in my artwork and the emotional flow of the rhythm influence my brush strokes. In addition having experienced so many different places, my paintings are a tapestry of those global moments, each bringing its own unique flavor to the work. My overall vision is to capture the energy of a moment. Whether it’s the gentle sway of a swing, or the stillness of an empty chair, it becomes something more than just a thing; it becomes a place to pause, to escape, and to breathe. I invite you to step into my world, release your imagination, and find relaxation in the experience. Come join me!

My Story

Hi I’m Dalia, an American painter and bilingual singer/songwriter based in Nashville, Tennessee. Growing up in a U.S. military family, I lived in various places across Europe and the U.S., including seven years in Madrid, Spain, and time in Irmo, South Carolina. This nomadic upbringing exposed me to diverse cultures, art, and architecture, which deeply influenced my creative journey.

I graduated from the University of South Carolina with a Bachelor of Arts in Studio Art, and my artistic path has been anything but conventional. As a former Miss South Carolina, I went on to tour for eight years with the legendary Julio Iglesias as a backup singer and duet partner. I also signed two record deals, including one with Universal Music, and performed with several bands over the years. Though music took me around the world, I always stayed close to my visual art.

In 2012, I created the artwork for an album, which led me to develop a new painting style I call, "In Living Color." I believe that music and visual art are deeply interconnected, with each one influencing the other. When the pandemic offered me the opportunity to focus entirely on my art, I poured my creativity into new works. Since then, I've exhibited extensively in Nashville and surrounding areas, building a growing reputation for my vibrant, emotional pieces. I'm now working on new projects, commissions, and murals, excited by the endless possibilities of my artistic journey. Always open to new opportunities, I continue to explore the intersection of music and art, driven by a deep passion for creativity and storytelling.

Curriculum Vitae

2025 - Todd Art Gallery - Collaborative Contemporary Art Exhibit – Aug, Juried Group Exhibition, MTSU, Department of Art and Design at Middle Tennessee State University, Murfreesboro, TN

2025 - The Artists of Armory at Advent Design Headquarters, Curated Group Exhibition(ongoing), Nashville, TN

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