July, 2026 CAVARTS Spotlight Feature #1: Mario Gallegos
Army Veteran and Gulf War Veteran, Mario has been creating art for as long as he can remember. During his military service, travel and new experiences shaped the way he sees the world, inspiring artwork rooted in memory, imagination, history, science, and exploration.
Working primarily in ink, Mario uses art as both a creative outlet and a form of meditation—transforming thoughts, dreams, and life experiences into powerful visual narratives. Through pieces like Woman of Modern Age and Veteran, he explores resilience, humanity, and the healing power of self-expression.
Name:
Mario Gallegos
Artist Moniker:
MarioRG101
Branch of service:
Army
About:
I am a Gulf War Veteran. It’s been quite some time since I was in, but the memories are forever. While in the Army, I was able to travel and meet with many people from all walks of life. My life was full at that time, and it left little time for much else. Despite that, I figured out ways to create without making a mark. That is where my art and my travels came together. A lot of what I create is from what my mind’s eye saw. Exploration is the keyword.
Social Media Handles:
MarioRG101
Title of Piece #1:
Woman of Modern Age
Medium of Piece #1:
Ink on Carson paper
Meaning Behind Piece #1:
The piece represents the importance of women’s roles in society. Their magic of creating life out of the very star dust that surrounds us. That is power. Now is the time to remind ourselves of what that means. Yes, it is drawn maybe a little bit haunting, but without saying too much more, it is the sign of the times.
Piece #1:
Title of Piece #2:
Veteran
Medium of Piece #2:
Ink on paper
Meaning Behind Piece #2:
There is something about creating that steals my mind. Like it gives me time to breathe. I have been creating art for many years. Ever since I was a little boy. Art has been with me through thick and thin. It makes my problems seem less stressful.
In the Army there was some downtime that allowed me to focus on art. The CSM of 7th Group gave me his coin for showing my art on Hispanic Heritage Month. I had many blessings like that one during my military service. I have been very fortunate to have such opportunities. Now, I have time to create, to live, and pursue my craft.
Piece #2:
What inspires you to create art?:
Dreams, history, science, are what define most of my work. It is not all of my creative stuff , but the example I am sharing shows some of that. From a very early age it has been my comfort. In some ways, it is meditation, and in my mind, it is sometimes everything.
The mind is a crazy place. Thoughts rolling around your head. Looking on like some vision of a form of reality. It is the artist's job to take a snapshot, place it on some medium, and express yourself and how it looks to you. The creative part of all this is to capture that image. To make it somehow a part of you. After that you let it go.
What part of your life has benefited the most from your creative pursuits?:
I have had both positive and negative results. It seems that the more I want it, the more I am pushing away from it. My dreams that is. It is not a monetary fashion, nor is it for prestige. To me it is my soul. I need to create to survive.
It is not fame, or fortune that drives me. It is the act of taking on a different characters of what makes up the totality of myself.
Is it important for you to challenge yourself in your art? Tell us why or why not!:
All the time. I don’t think anyone that creates doesn’t go through some hurdles with their creativity, but sometimes you find beauty in an imperfection, and that is what opens the door for more possibilities. I don’t look at my works as challenging - I look at them as friends.
What is your process or ritual to get your creativity flowing?:
What got my creative juices flowing was darkness and deep depression, with just a touch of anger just to round it all out, and I had a feeling of despair. Like I said, it was my go too for support if that makes sense, lol. By creating dark, or haunting works, I do not need to express it in my life.
For now, my studio aka ‘man cave’ is now a storage space because we had a bad storm, but once we get the repairs done, I will start creating again. For now, I am just glad to be alive.
What does CAVARTS mean to you?:
CAVARTS means to me a new place to start and maybe find community. I’m not sure. I think there are plenty of opportunities to learn from my fellow Veterans and I’m looking forward to learning more.
Our monthly theme is Veterans & Their Art, but Mario submitted this when we were celebrating Harvest and Grateful Gatherings. Here’s what he had planned:
- Harvest (September): I will be spending most of my time with my fiancé and our furry friends.
- Grateful Gatherings (November): Me and my life partner and her mom, and maybe a few others are going to spend time together at our house for the holidays. I don’t think I would have made it through without the help from the ones around me.
What words of inspiration do you have for your fellow CAVARTists?:
Find something creative to do, like something detailed. As military, we needed to have attention to detail. That detail can save you. It has given me more time to work the other stuff out in life. Expressing yourself is a healing experience.
Don’t allow yourself to slip down in your depression. Every day I have to fight to get up and do something productive. Most of the time, I fail miserably, but even if it’s just one thing I can do right. I’ve learned a lesson. That is what’s going to move you in the right direction.
Is there anything else you would like to share?:
I am new to CAVARTS and just wanted to share my experience and works with fellow military Veterans and active service members.
There are those times in the Army where you are away from all you once knew. Art. Creation is within you.
