Felix Carballo

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I am a Nicaraguan ceramist who loves art, colors, and all means of expression. I'm not that old – I was born in 1954 and I grew up in a loving family surrounded by nature, lots of sun and warm weather.

I come from an indigenous community in San Juan de Oriente who has inherited this artistic tradition. Ceramics is part of our village – it is something we are born with. You don't learn ceramic art, you live it.

"We've always been poor and experienced many hardships for lack of money. I was a sickly child, which put a strain on the family finances as my parents struggled to make ends meet. I never went to school, but I learned to read and write because I wanted to. I even developed an acceptable calligraphy, and that makes me very happy. It means I can communicate, tell the time, and all those things one takes for granted when you already know them.

"I always wanted to succeed at something, so I'd spend a lot of time with my mother as she worked with ceramics. I got to know her secrets so that one day I could use them in my work.

"Eventually I started crafting my own pieces, decorate them and start selling them. Now we've made a little space at home where we work and share as a family. We all contribute to the family finances.

"I've become very interested in crafting ocarinas. Today's ceramists seem to have forgotten all about them but I love them. The sounds of the ocarina make me think of my childhood, the sounds of the forest, the birds, the wind and the water.

"That's why I hope you like them too! Gracias!"