Expressionist Xylograph Print of the Heart from Guatemala 'Striped' Item ID: 2671770549

"My name is Spencer Samayoa and I want to share my story and how art has been a fundamental part of my life for as long as I can remember. I was born in Guatemala into a humble but loving family. My mother has always been a warrior, working hard to provide for my brother and me after my father left when I was just seven years old. I remember a time when my mother, with a broken heart but filled with hope, created small pictures with loving dedications to feed her children. That was the first time I saw her engage with art without even realizing what she was truly doing.

"That's how I started working on my own artworks, and I attended the National School of Fine Arts. Eventually, I decided to move away from replicating images and began searching for a way to convey a bit of what was happening inside me. Art has always been a form of expression for me, a way to say what I feel, see, or simply what I am keeping silent. No one taught me how to work with woodcut printmaking; I am self-taught.

"I have had the opportunity to teach this art technique to many people in my neighborhood, primarily friends and family. Beyond my close social circle, I try to share this knowledge with anyone I can, regardless of their situation or location. Since 2022, I have had the chance to teach wood printmaking courses in various cultural venues in the city of Guatemala. I love being able to teach what I know. Every time I do it, knowledge spreads not only to the receiver but also to the one who shares it. For me, art is a way to connect with others and express what we carry inside. I hope to continue sharing my passion for art with all of you and contribute to creating a more beautiful and colorful world."