The Children of My Country

Caridad Bautista, from Tierra Blanca, uses what she has learned in the Rays of Light Art Project to celebrate children. More than a passtime or a way to make a living in a community with few alternatives for a youth like her, art represents a powerful way to communicate and teach. Caridad explains below in her own words:

"I found out about the art classes through a sign outside the school. Throughout my life I have always taken care of the crops and of the house chores, but I've always liked painting and handicrafts.

"Currently I work with acrylic. I've taken some classes on etching, and recently I've started working with oil. Before that I had painted self-taught flat backgrounds. Today I practice what I've learned, working with the lights and darks, reflections, shadows, and landscapes with perspective.

"In the future, I would like to work as a painter, and to teach others what I know. I would like to create murals that reflect the varying problems of our society: alcoholism in Tierra Blanca, youth problems like gangs, and the mistreatment of children, whose parents abuse them verbally and physically because of ignorance.


Christ with Child by Caridad Bautista

"Society has a double standard: they say one thing and do something else. The violence is seen on television. Single mothers deal with the problem of having their children be abused while they have to go to work to provide for them. All of this can be reflected in murals, even in paintings. Art should be promoted by us, by the instructors, by the Foundation and by society.


Bautista proudly poses with one of her first paintings in 2003

"I need the support of the art classes in order to continue studying, so that I can participate in galleries to show society what we're doing. We could study other types of art, like ceramics, tooled leather and carding if we had the resources. This would spark the exchange of ideas and knowledge.

"I've experienced many changes in my self-esteem because I have seen my ability in my paintings. By painting one rediscovers the ability of what one can achieve through the art. In a few years I see myself as a teacher and as a painter. I dream of showcasing my art in national and international galleries and of traveling to other places.

"Psychologically, it increases your self-esteem; materially, you get money from the sale of paintings. There is never a shortage of needs: for farming, for illnesses, etc. Socially, your skills to relate with others improve, which I have been able to notice with relationships with fellow students. This has given us confidence to start conversation with others. In Ciudad Romero we chat with other students. When we go out, we make friends in other places.

"People should paint not just to paint because someone that sees a painting understands what the artist wants to demonstrate. I have only painted children; I like it better than landscapes. I would like to show how important children are. If they are our future, then we have to do something for them, like helping others realize how important they are; to reflect their happiness while they say, "Look at me."

"I only have a High School education. Since I didn't have the opportunity to keep studying, my parents are glad that I continue studying something that I really like. I live with my parents, who are farmers. I have two brothers: Jesús (29) works and studies in San Salvador and David (22) lives and works in Costa Rica.

The Children of My Country by Caridad Bautista

"Parents are happy when their children are taken seriously. It's not easy to get known in San Salvador or the United States, but it's important to persevere for our dreams."

To obtain paintings like this one from the Rays of Light Youth Art Project, contact Sean Hale (512-388-7957).