We had the good fortune of connecting with Frankie Garcia III and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Frankie, how do you think about risk?
Staring my own business was a HUGE risk. As a creative thinker and artist, I take risks… its part of the process. When I approach a new canvas, I start with an idea… but all along the way, I’m taking risks. I’m trying new appications I’ve yet to refine, I’m using new color palettes I’ve not used before, I’m confidently moving through these risks and it eventually becomes second nature. I apply this same approach to running my business. There is not a “plan B”. I develop new templates, strategies, concepts for each client and/or opportunity and these do not always work. So, I evolve and pivot until I find a resolution. Our current reality has proven to be my most difficult challenge as a business owner. The pandemic has literally forced me to take more risks than I’ve ever had to face before and I’ve had to adapt to survive. Living my life as a professional artist for the last 24 years has definitely helped me navigate my way through these most difficult times. Art is my life and living life as an artist is the only way I know how to live. We take risks, it’s what we do.

What should our readers know about your business?
FGIII Fine Art Productions was originally founded in 2000, as an umbrella cooperative dedicated to establishing unity within the DFW independent art community as well as instilling purpose and vision into the work of the individual artist. Over the past 20 years, FGIII Fine Art Productions has developed into a full-service, comprehensive art advisory company. I’m in the business of selling art, specifically DFW art to DFW art patrons, collectors, businesses, art lovers etc.. I refer to myself as a “Professional Art Partner”. We promote the work of emerging, mid-career and established artists through curated arts and culture programming with a concentration on producing high-caliber fine art shows and exhibitions. We also collaborate with retailers, architects and designers and provide our creative services to their projects.

Our relationships with artists set me apart from others in my industry. I’m an artist myself and I try to approach each opportunity and/or project from that perspective so that I’m not only providing my client with their needs but I’m providing the artist with what they need from each opportunity to make it worth their efforts. We’re committed to empowering our artists with the necessary professional assets to drive the growth of their business and create worth through their artistic practice.

The art business is 100% not easy. It’s a very competitive and difficult business to fully understand and even more difficult keeping up with the markets. I’m constantly evolving and shifting with the times. I’ve learned that understanding the “business of art” and adapting to each opportunity is essential to sustaining our programs and relationships with our clients and artists.

A lesson I’ve learned in my industry is to be transparent and up-front about your worth. If you’ve been approached by a client, it’s because they want to hire you. Don’t take on more than you can handle and use contracts to your advantage. Your potential clients should know your fee at the very start of your conversation.

I was born an artist and it’s been a very difficult lifestyle to sustain. I hope my story and/or advice will help other artists find their footing and lead them to success. I will be gone one day, and I just hope that those that I’ve had the privilege to cross paths with can take some part of my life and use it to their advantage.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
STAY: I would definitely set them up at The Canvas Hotel, they’re a great central location and their Rooftop pool and view is PHENOMENAL! They always have a DJ and some sort of party happening up there. They also support the DFW arts and always have an on-going pop-up art show happening.

FOOD:
My studio/office is in Oak Cliff so I tend to also eat in the area and Tepa Bar and Grill on Hamptom Rd is what I recommend for breakfast tacos and/or lunch and El Ranchito on Jefferson or La Calle Doce on West 12th Street are definites on my list for dinner.
But I’m also a fan of MiCocina… any location.

If I’m in the mood for pizza? I’m an I Fratelli kinda guy, but if I want a true NY style pizza then I will drive all the way up to Frisco for Luigi’s Pizza. BAM!

Burgers? Olive Burger in Richardson.

Pho? Vietnam Restaurant on Bryan St. near Downtown Dallas

One of my favorite Asian-Fusion cuisines? Asian Mint on Forest Lane

A good steak? Bob’s Steak & Chop House on Lemmon

BBQ? I’m down with Lockhart Smokehouse on Daivs in Bisop Arts

MUST SEES:
Spend the day at the Modern Art Museum in Fort Worth
Catch a show at Bishop Arts Theatre Center
Shop at NorthPark
Nightlife in Deep Ellum
Attend an Art Exhibition by FGIII Fine Art Productions
Find out where DJ M_Knight is spinning or where DJ Traened are performimg
Follow Black Sheep Art Culture

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
I’d like to ShoutOut to All the Artists I’ve had the privilege to work and collaborate with over the years. I literally could not do what I do without You!

Website: https://www.fgiiifineartproductions.com/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/fgiiifineartproductions/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/FGIIIArt

Other: https://www.instagram.com/frankie.fgiiifineart/

Image Credits
FGIII Fine Art Productions

Nominate Someone: ShoutoutDFW is built on recommendations and shoutouts from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you or someone you know deserves recognition please let us know here.