Passion for art grows into successful career
Artist Ray Gatica poses with his Lil Baby Watcher character, something he calls “one of the best things I’ve ever done.”
Creativity is the name of the game for local artist Ray Gatica.
Gatica found art to be the perfect outlet for his creative musings. When people began requesting his artwork, Gatica parlayed his passion for art into a successful career.
“I’ve been doing commercial art for the past 20 years or so,” he said. Gatica’s patrons include a number of local residents, churches and businesses.
In 2001, San Jos de Calasanz Catholic Church in Lockney commissioned Gatica to produce two paintings of their namesake, which currently hang in the church and recreation hall. The church recently celebrated its 50th anniversary with an event honoring people who made lasting contributions.
“I was proud to do (the paintings); it was an honor,” Gatica said.
Gatica has experience in a wide range of artistic mediums, including airbrushing. He’s used that expertise on everything from fingernails to walls to sheets of metal.
“I started airbrushing years ago back in the time when we used that to retouch photographs,” he said. “Of course, now all that’s done digitally, so airbrushing is kind of an obsolete tool for that. I still use it for creating art on pieces of metal and doing murals.”
His creativity isn’t limited to traditional works of art. Gatica is also an amateur inventor who designs and creates various household items and toys. He jokes that sometimes he doesn’t know whether his boundless creativity is a blessing or a curse.
“I designed a chair that I can kind of lean into and paint while standing up so that I can relax my legs while working,” he said. “I also created this character called the Lil Baby Watcher and he’s got a little story. It’s probably one of the best things I’ve ever done.”
For more information on Ray Gatica’s art, email Ray@GaticaArt.com or visit www.gaticaart.com.
To learn more about Gatica’s Lil Baby Watcher character and read its story, visit www.thelilbabywatcher.net.
ABOUT RAY GATICA
AGE: 58
OCCUPATION: Commercial artist
COMMUNITY CONNECTION: Humble resident
FAST FACT: Enjoys working out
