Growing up in Central Texas, Manuel Garza is well acquainted with the Texas hill country scenery. His goal is to recreate this scenery to perfection, capturing in oil the thick heat, bold sunlight, and cool shade of the state.

His use of lighting and vivid colors and his realistic style reflect his passion for the beauty. Garza's work often features not only wildflowers, but quail, pheasant, turkeys, deer, and a host of domestic birds.

"I am a landscape artist," he says, "but wildlife is part of that landscape. It adds life." His paintings have instant rapport with those who know and love the Texas landscape.

Garza is largely self-taught, encouraged by his mother, although he did attend the Texas School of Fine Arts ...