Erica Carinne Garcia (2010)

In 2010, I recommended my good friend and high school classmate Erica Garcia to various beauty schools in the metropolitan area.

After high school, I decided to make a scrapbook with one page for each of my friends, dedicated to capturing their essence, filled with concert tickets, Polaroids, witty quotes and the like.

Erica Garcia’s page has always been one of my favorites and not just because I absolutely adore her, but also because it’s so unique. The first things that catch my eye when I open to her page are some carefully coordinated textile swatches and a sketch pinned onto the thick paper of the book. The sketch is a beautifully drawn 60’s-inspired dress that Erica designed after hearing that I wasn’t sure what to wear to prom. Always a sweet girl, Erica was thoughtful enough to actually put the effort into sketching the dress and finding appropriate fabrics.

“I think it really suits your personality and would compliment your body shape,” she said. “And you’re Asian so this shade of pink would go perfectly with your natural skin palette.” While I always loved her aesthetic ideas and trusted that she knew how to help me look and feel more beautiful, I never had the dress made because I never went to prom. Instead, I went to the premiere of a theatrical production that I had directed.

The playbill for my play is on Erica’s page too. Always eager to lend a hand, Erica used her artistic abilities and keen eyes to do my actresses’ hair and make-up. She was especially helpful because she intelligently analyzed the text of the play and applied what she learned about each character to how she designed their look. Isabella, a classic romantic heroine, was given a natural, fresh look; Agnes-Bungelda’s wildness was emphasized by her punk-rock influenced hairstyle; and Chastely was a regal governess who was elegant in every way. Erica worked hard to make sure that the play was the best it could be. Even when I told her that she didn’t have to help me because she needed to get ready for prom, Erica was determined to pull off both and managed to finish prepping my actors early enough to get ready and enjoy herself at prom later that night.

The best thing about Erica is that she is not about just the big picture or just the details—she gives equal focus to both. When drawing a koala in a eucalyptus tree in art class, choosing the exact shades and perfecting the eucalyptus leaves were just as important as ensuring the koala’s overall adorableness. When choosing an outfit in the morning, every accessory is just as carefully chosen as every article of clothing. When reading a book, the beauty of certain sentences is just as likely to be obsessed over as the overall theme of the story.

By looking at Erica’s page in my scrapbook, anyone could see that she really is a great person and one of the best friends a person can have. Through determination to succeed and reinvention, Erica has overcome many obstacles in her life and is willing to put hard work into creating a great future for herself while still enjoying the simple pleasures of life. I always enjoy my time with Erica because whether she’s sharing deep thoughts or whimsical observations, I know that in both little and large ways, Erica can bring art and beauty into anyone’s life.