Carolina Cabrera

Seven years ago, we met painter Carolina Cabrera from Guatemala and immediately fell in love with her work. She is especially skilled at capturing emotion on the human face, which made us feel like we knew her subjects intimately. They are our sisters, uncles, friends, etc. even though weve never physically shook their hand or given them a hug. This is a rare talent and one that we are excited to feature on Novicas website. Over the years, shes also become our friend.

Recently we heard about a tough time her family is going through. Her husband recently had a stroke. If youve ever had a family member whos been through this, you know how life altering it is. He has to relearn how to do even the most basic tasks (walking, eating, talking) via intensive physical therapy. Our friend, Carolina, has been there right by his side, patiently driving him to and from medical appointments for months now. As a result, she has been unable to paint, which is her main source of income.

She still has some paintings in stock though, if you are in the market for fine art. She has discounted them in order to help pay her husbands medical bills, which are piling up. For this reason, we are honored to highlight her in this special Giving Tuesday email. We hope her story might strike a cord in a someone looking for that special piece of art. Please consider Carolina!

"Im Carolina Cabrera Dubón, born in August of 1963 in the capital to a middle class family like many others in Guatemala. My childhood mixed both happiness and instability, as my parents relationship was a difficult one and they separated on many occasions. So at times, my four brothers and I lived with our maternal grandmother. This made me a very timid little girl and I found it hard to relate to others.

"Because of this, and our economic problems, I wasnt able to develop my artistic skills as a child. Even so, I was always very interested in painting as a way to express my feelings. I was always drawing and painting. I even dreamed of becoming an artist one day.

"When I was 14, in art class they asked us to do some pen and ink drawings on the theme of Antigua. I worked very hard on my drawings, and realized I had talent when the teacher asked me where Id had them printed. I was amazed! I never expected my teacher to react in that way. They were my first works of art. But one day I lent them to a friend and she never returned them.

"My parents pressured me to study something they considered more practical, so I became a secretary. I wasnt happy, but it was what I was able to study. After graduating, I went to work full time and eventually I was able to pay for a diploma course in art at the university. After that, I began to take classes from a renowned Guatemalan artist who taught me the technique of oil on canvas.

"After three years, I still sought new horizons, and I began studying with Humberto Coronado, a master painter. He taught me new techniques apart from oils – he taught me to work in pastels, acrylic and other media that awakened my creativity even more.

"I believe much of my art is the result of being constant with my studies and focusing all my efforts on learning the best from each teacher Ive had. In addition, improving my technique has been a constant challenge throughout my life, and it is a desire that is always latent within me.

"Ive always believed my art to be directly related to the history and traditions of my Guatemala. Not only for the colors and customs I try to reflect in my paintings, but also my portraits of our people and their emotions.