Clever D Garcia, aka Than Ta, meaning Painted Sun in the Northern New Mexico Tewa language. Born to the late Gordon I Garcia, and Angela J Vigil. Clever’s father originates from Ohkay Owingeh and his mother from Tesuque Pueblo. Born into the arts at an early age, Clever Garcia started finger painting and watercolors in his early education. Being drawn to mechanical pencil and colored pencil in his high school career. Clever eventually discovered a paint brush and acrylic paints, as well as sculpting, ceramics, writing and mediation.

 

Artist Statement:

Born in the Summer of 1992 on August 15, under the Leo sun, created to inspire, dream, and uplift people. Inspired to help bring out the inner flame in humanity, that creative spark that ignites the inner artist within all of us. As a Native first and American second, I have a calling to uphold the traditional ways as well as navigating this modern world and its complexity. Bridging the old traditions of the Pueblo people, to the newer indigenous generations of the future and those willing to learn the traditional arts, New Mexico history and human creative conscience.