Dania Morales

"My name is Dania Morales, born in San Jose, Costa Rica. Since I was a child, I had an unwavering passion for drawing. I vividly recall filling the corners of my notebooks at school and college with doodles, creating caricatures of my classmates and teachers. Even in adulthood, during meetings, I'd find solace in drawing, as it brought me immense relaxation.

"Life took a challenging turn when I faced physical problems that confined me to bed rest for an extended period. However, it was during this time that I rediscovered my love for drawing and painting, a true lifesaver. My very first artwork depicted a tree with a hammock, floral ropes, and a tethered balloon, with two flowers as silent witnesses. I aimed to express a mix of sadness and a glimmer of hope peeking through. Each brushstroke showcased movement and contrasts, conveying my emotions with every stroke.

"Presently, for the past seven years, I've been working independently due to my limited mobility caused by health issues. My main tools are creativity, perseverance, and love.

"As a child, I was born with a hip defect, flat feet, and inwardly twisted feet. I used walking aids. I also survived meningitis, making me quite delicate. Despite these challenges, my teenage and young adult years were relatively normal. But as time passed, I began experiencing contractures, sciatica, and other ailments, which I managed with injections to keep working.

"Then came February 2014, when my life took a drastic turn. I suffered electric shock-like pain in my right leg, leading to months of back-and-forth hospital visits. Eventually, it was discovered that I had a serious spinal hernia that needed surgery. However, the recovery wasn't as successful as hoped, leaving me with chronic pain and protrusions along my entire spine, and another hernia in my neck. I was unable to walk for several months. It was during this trying period that my mother gifted me a drawing notebook and pencils, which later expanded to canvas and acrylics, reigniting my passion for painting. Despite the hardships, I wake up every day with hope and an open heart to possibilities.

"Though I do experience pain, I paint at my own pace, standing, sitting, or reclining for short intervals. My trusty cane helps me move around, and I cherish the ability to reinvent myself and express my inner world through art. I often laugh at myself for the comical mishaps, like accidentally dipping my brush into coffee instead of water.

"My dreams are to share my art with the world and inspire others who have faced similar challenges. Among my plans is the aspiration to travel, paint outdoors, walk in the footsteps of great masters, and visit museums. I cherish the hope of continuous improvement and maintain a holistic approach to taking care of my body, choosing nourishing foods, and engaging in pool exercises and stretches to stay well. Swimming is where I find mobility without pain. I strive to surround myself with uplifting and soul-nurturing content.

"Art offers a unique journey of observing the artist's transformation through their paintings. As I evolve, my brushstrokes and subjects change, a testament to my growth. Mixing colors, adding layers, surprising myself, and observing the painting from different angles in various lighting conditions – all these exercises during my artistic process never cease to amaze me. The act of painting transports my mind into a meditative state of observation and self-awareness.

"Since childhood, I've been at it without formal lessons. Improvement comes with practice and observation. Due to my condition, I don't offer art classes regularly, as some days I don't feel well, and my energy is somewhat limited in that regard.