Hand Tendril II

Brass, powder coat, sterling silver

3.5 x 0.25 x 0.25 inches

My work grows from a lifelong love of vibrant surfaces shaped by my bicultural upbringing along the border between Reynosa, Mexico, and McAllen, Texas. I am drawn to how visual language can transform both physical and emotional landscapes, much like the colorful neighborhoods of my childhood. Hue, texture, and pattern serve as tools for expressing emotion, memory, and a sense of place.

Through personal adornment, I explore how objects worn on the body can hold stories and create belonging. I use hand-piercing techniques reminiscent of Papel Picado and combine them with industrial powder coating to build painterly, layered surfaces.

My Form and Flora collection continues this dialogue through organic silhouettes and hand forms that unfold like tendrils and vines. These motifs act as symbols of growth, care, and connection.

Artist Bio:
Laritza Garcia has exhibited nationally and internationally, including in the Society of North American Goldsmiths’ Scrumptious exhibition, JOYA Barcelona, and New York Jewelry Week. Her pieces are part of the Mint Museum and Racine Art Museum collections and have been featured in Metalsmith Magazine, American Craft, 500 Necklaces, and New Earrings: 500 Designs from Around the World.

She is an Associate Professor of Instruction at Texas State University in San Marcos, where her practice emphasizes mentorship, experimentation, and material innovation. Garcia lives in Austin, Texas, where she enjoys time with friends and family.