Today we’d like to introduce you to Giovanna Garcia Cortes.
Giovanna, we appreciate you taking the time to share your story with us today. Where does your story begin?
All my life, I knew I wanted to be an artist. Being raised by one and supported by my family and friends provided me with an avenue to express myself and inspired a dream to share my creations with the world.
I earned my Bachelor’s degree in Studio Art at UCF, where I took courses ranging from traditional painting and drawing to conceptualizing world-class theme park attractions alongside Universal Creative. I also interned as an artist at Limbitless Solutions, a non-profit organization specializing in creating 3D-printed prosthetic arms for children. This powerful combination fueled my passion for pursuing a career dedicated to making others’ dreams a reality.
After graduating in 2019, I was thrust headfirst into the pandemic, with the theming industry at a standstill. This challenge forced me to adapt and persevere, finding an alternative path in my creative career. Throughout it all, I remained as driven as ever to be part of something bigger than myself— I just had to start small and the domino effect began. I started making custom shoes from home, which opened the door to becoming a lead shoe painter at a local cobbler, to then working for Nassal, a world renowned scenic fabrication company based in Orlando, as a scenic painter in their local shop. Through years of hard work I earned the promotion to the role of Assistant Art Director for their field work departments, leading and painting scenic projects alongside fellow visionaries all across the U.S.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
I wouldn’t call it smooth, I’d call it an ever-winding and constantly changing road.
One of my earliest and biggest struggles was simply mentally accepting that this is what I truly wanted to do with my life. Choosing to pursue a creative career felt like going against the grain, especially with the societal and economic challenges that come with being an artist. I was passionate about it, but fear of failure held me back. I hesitated to fully commit, constantly second-guessing whether I was capable or if I was making the right choice.
I saw the path ahead of me, but I couldn’t help comparing myself to others who seemed farther along or more successful. Instead of seeing them as inspiration, I let comparison diminish my confidence and it made my goals feel distant, even impossible.
Even though I was surrounded by support, I still questioned everything. I wondered if I was truly cut out for this, or if the encouragement I received was misplaced. I was overwhelmed with “what ifs,” and at times, those doubts paralyzed me. But eventually, I turned that fear into fuel, creating a lifelong mission to prove to myself that those doubts didn’t define me, and that I could forge my own path, no matter how winding.
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
I’m currently an Assistant Art Director at Nassal, where we create visual environments for theme parks, museums, zoos, aquariums, live events, and more. My workdays are filled with creative challenges, where I apply my knowledge of various scenic painting techniques while collaborating with art directors, project managers, and fabricators to bring design concepts to life as immersive, believable spaces.
One of my proudest accomplishments was contributing to a major local theme park project. Our department had to scale up rapidly, from a small team of under 10 to over 40 artists. I worked alongside incredible leaders to identify and align each artist’s strengths with the demands of large-scale scenic production. I was especially passionate about making sure each artist understood how vital their unique skills were within the larger creative process, it truly would have been impossible without their collective efforts.
What sets me apart professionally—and hopefully my friends and family would agree—is my ability to balance taking my craft and career seriously while still bringing humor and lightness to those around me. I strongly believe that a person’s work ethic should be reflected not just in their words, but in their creations and the positive impact they have on others’ lives, both when everyone is watching and when no one is. I strive daily to uphold that standard in my own life and hope to inspire others to do the same.
What does success mean to you?
To me, success isn’t defined by titles, wealth, or recognition, it’s about alignment. It’s the feeling that my work, values, and passions are in sync. Success means waking up with purpose, creating work I’m proud of, and knowing that what I do brings value or inspiration to others. It’s also about growth, continually challenging myself, learning new things, and becoming better not just as an artist, but as a human being.
And just as importantly, success is finding balance: being able to invest deeply in my career while still showing up for the people I care about, and for myself. If I can look back and see that I stayed true to myself and made a positive difference in even a few lives, I’d call that success.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://giogarciaarts.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/gio.creates/?hl=en
- LinkedIn: https://linkedin.com/in/giogarciaarts
Image Credits
Bionic Arm Images Provided by Limbitless Solutions
