Creativity has always been a part of me. I have used art as a means to express myself and to go to places where my imagination has not set limits.
If you are someone with an artistic spirit, you will understand me when I say that art for me is a necessity to be myself, to communicate and to find a balance in life.
This post is very special to me because I want to show you my evolution over the years. I'm going to tell you how I trained, made mistakes, and researched. I'll also explain how I found a style where I feel most comfortable. This style is not still, but is constantly moving and growing with me.
I studied Fine Arts and although at university we were taught many painting techniques and plastic arts in general, I consider myself a lifelong student. So although my artistic studies were the starting point to professionalize my passion, I am open to learning new techniques and disciplines from the art world.
I'm not going to lie to you, throughout my training I had many insecurities and doubts. I admit that I would have liked to have had more maturity at certain times to face difficult situations in this artistic training. Now I understand that every mistake can be turned into learning and that in the face of these, perseverance is the best response.
Now I am clear that what started out as a search is now an encounter with myself and the world around me.
Twenty years have passed since I started my career, and in that time you can see that there have been changes in style, disciplines and very different materials.
I hope you enjoy this very personal timeline of mine and that it inspires you and helps you get to know each other a little better.
______________________________
Creativity has always been part of me. I have used art as a means to express myself and to go to places where my imagination has not set limits for me.
If you are someone with an artistic spirit, you will understand me when I say that art for me is a necessity to be myself, to communicate and to find balance in life.
This post is quite special for me since I want to show you my evolution over the years. I'm going to tell you how I trained, I made mistakes and I investigated . I will also explain how I found a style where I feel most comfortable. This style is not still, but it is in constant movement and grows with me.
I studied Fine Arts and although at the university they taught us many painting techniques and fine arts in general, I considered myself a lifelong student. So although my artistic studies were the starting point to professionalize my passion, I am open to learning new techniques and disciplines in the art world.
I'm not going to lie to you, throughout my training there were many insecurities and doubts . I admit that I would have liked to have been more mature at certain times to face difficult situations in this artistic training. Now I understand that every mistake can be taken as learning and that in the face of these, perseverance is the best response.
Now I am clear that what began as a search is now an encounter with myself and the world around me.
Since I started the Art School, 20 years have passed, and in that time you will be able to see that there have been changes in style, disciplines and very different materials.
I hope you enjoy this very personal chronology of mine and that it serves to inspire you and get to know us a little more.
1989. Childhood | Childhood
These drawings are from 1989, I was 4 years old and I drew what amazed me most in the world, ponies :)
These drawings are from 1989, I was 4 years old and I drew what amazed me most in the world, ponies :)
During my childhood, I was a girl who drew non-stop. In my class, I was always chosen with the best painters and that helped me a lot to be myself and create my personality. I was quite reserved, so drawing helped me have a good time and start creating my inner world.
During my childhood, I was a girl who drew non-stop. In my class they always chose me with the ones who painted the best and that helped me a lot to be myself and create my personality . I was quite reserved so drawing helped me have a good time and start creating my inner world.
This was my first framed painting, I was 12 years old and I made it at school in the painting workshop. I remember being very proud of some of the watercolour brush strokes on the flowers.
This was my first framed painting, I was 12 years old and I did it at school in the painting workshop. I remember being very proud of some of the watercolor brush strokes on the flowers.
2000. Period at the School of Arts and Crafts of Murcia and the Ana Vázquez and Pablo Hernando Academy of Drawing and Painting.
I painted this fried egg in my first year of Artistic Baccalaureate at the Pablo Hernando and Ana Vázquez Painting Academy.
I painted this fried egg in the 1st year of Artistic High School at the Pablo Hernando and Ana Vázquez Painting Academy.
This was undoubtedly the happiest period of my training and one of the best times of my life.
I left a convent school to pursue my dream, the School of Arts.
For me, being in that center meant freedom. With classmates of all kinds and very demanding teachers who taught you a lot.
That's where my training began in earnest . In the morning I went to the Art School and in the afternoon I went to Ana Vázquez and Pablo Hernando's painting academy. It was a time I will never forget.
In addition to the quality of teaching at the School of Arts and Crafts in Murcia, painting every day with two artists in their painting studio was a luxury for me . Ana and Pablo taught me a lot, it was a time when I painted many pictures and I was happy learning both with them and at the school.
This was without a doubt the happiest time of my training and one of the best of my life .
I left a nun's school to pursue my dream, at the School of Arts.
For me, being in that center meant freedom. With classmates of all kinds and very demanding teachers who taught you a lot.
That's where my training began in earnest . In the morning I went to the Art School and in the afternoon to the painting academy of Ana Vázquez and Pablo Hernando. It was a stage that I will never forget.
In addition to the quality of teaching at the Murcia School of Arts and Crafts, painting every day with two artists in their painting workshop was a luxury for me. Ana and Pablo taught me a lot, it was a time when I painted many paintings and I was happy learning both with them and at school.
This painting is one of my first oil paintings when I was 15-16 years old. It was after my first trip outside Spain to Israel. It is a market in Jerusalem. I painted it at the academy of Ana Vázquez and Pablo Hernando in Murcia.
This painting is one of my first oil paintings when I was 15-16 years old. It was after my first trip outside of Spain to Israel. It's a market in Jerusalem. I painted it at the Ana Vázquez and Pablo Hernando academy in Murcia.
2003. First cycle of Fine Arts at the University of Murcia | First cycle of Fine Arts at the University of Murcia.
Starting Fine Arts was the goal I had always wanted . For me, this period was a search to find out what techniques I wanted to work on. What style.
I remember this period because I learned a lot from my classmates. I was a girl who loved the style and history of the Impressionists and Post-Impressionists when it came to painting, and I wanted to create a style with similar colors and brushstrokes. If you look at the following self-portrait, you can see the colors and brushstrokes I used.
During this period I acquired a lot of intuition for colour and began to paint in large dimensions, both in acrylic and oil.
I have to admit that the beginning of the arts university was not an easy stage for me. It was a new faculty (my class was the third) and sometimes I felt overwhelmed. It was difficult to decide where I wanted to go and I couldn't understand what some professors wanted from me. Years have passed and the learning that this turning point gave me is that the important thing is to keep working and not get discouraged, no matter the result.
For me, the important thing is to look back and see what you have been able to learn along the way.
But I still have some stages to tell you about. I'll show you some of my paintings from this time:
Starting Fine Arts was the goal I wanted so much . For me this time was a search to know what techniques I wanted to work on. What style.
I remember this time because I learned a lot from my classmates. I was a girl who, when it came to painting, loved the style and history of the Impressionists and Post-Impressionists, and I wanted to create a style with similar colors and brushstrokes. If you look at the following self-portrait, you can see the colors and brush strokes he used.
At this time I acquired a lot of intuition for color and began to paint in large dimensions, both in acrylic and oil.
I have to admit that the beginning of the arts university was not an easy stage for me. It was a new school (my class was third) and at times I felt overwhelmed. It was difficult to decide where I wanted to go and I couldn't understand what some teachers wanted from me. Years have passed and the learning that this turning point gave me is that the important thing is to keep working and not get discouraged, no matter the result.
For me the important thing is to look back and see what you have been able to learn along the way.
But I still have some stages left to tell you. I show you some of my paintings from this time:
Paintings of the Color subject with the Fine Arts models.
Paintings from the Color subject with Fine Arts models.
Abstract period| Abstract period
As I told you before, university was a time of experimentation , of deciding what my path was.
It was the first time I used pigments and I was invited to experiment with painting, to abandon the traditional .
It was a period where I was able to experiment a lot in composition and application of material.
As I have told you before, University was a time of experimentation, of deciding what my path was.
It was the first time I used pigments and I was invited to experiment with painting. To abandon the traditional.
It was a period where I was able to experiment a lot in composition and application of material.
I titled this painting "Wheels and Sea" and it won a mention in the Creajoven competition in Murcia (Spain) for Plastic Arts in 2006. I used my sister Mar as a model and for this I covered her in acrylic paint and stamped it on the canvas. Then I used pure pigment and sprinkled it using bicycle wheels as a template.
I titled this painting "Wheels and Sea" and it received a mention in the Creajoven contest of Murcia (Spain) for Plastic Arts in 2006. I used my sister Mar as a model and for this I covered her in acrylic paint and stamped her on the canvas. I then used pure pigment and sprinkled it using bicycle wheels as a stencil.
2006. Period in Barcelona. Sicue -Seneca Scholarship at the Faculty of Fine Arts of Barcelona.
The faculty in Barcelona impressed me.
They had three buildings, one just for painting.
The drawing class and teacher were my favorites. They had a horse skeleton in the classroom and drawers with bones.
I drew a lot and also made a lot of progress as an artist. I feel that year I gained a lot of desire to work and learn.
The faculty in Barcelona impressed me.
They had three buildings, one just for painting.
The Drawing class and teacher were my favorites. They had a skeleton of a horse in the classroom and drawers of bones.
I drew a lot and also advanced a lot as an artist. I feel that that year I gained a lot of desire to work and learn.
2007. Second cycle of Fine Arts in Murcia | Second cycle of Fine Arts in Murcia.
During this period I had the opportunity to work with materials that were very new to me in sculpture. The workshop at the University of Murcia offered many possibilities and I took advantage of them.
I worked with glass resin, iron ... I dedicated myself to making sculptures that invited us to dream.
At that time I discovered the work of Remedios Varó and Leonora Carrington, and I wanted to create a fantasy world like theirs in sculpture.
During this period I had the opportunity to work with very new materials for me in sculpture. The workshop at the University of Murcia offered many possibilities and I took advantage of them.
I worked with glass resins, iron... I dedicated myself to making sculptures that invited you to dream.
At that moment I discovered the work of Remedios Varó and Leonora Carrington, and I wanted to create a fantasy world like theirs in sculpture.
I also used my friends as photography models, and with them I created imaginary characters.
He often used Hindu mythology or Roman and Greek mythology.
I also used my photography friends as models, and with them I created imaginary characters.
He often used Hindu or Roman and Greek mythology.
2009. Period in Istanbul. Dance and music .
When I had one exam left to finish my degree, I decided to take a year to live in Turkey.
Istanbul allowed me to be myself. It allowed me to dream big. It was what my soul needed.
When I look back I still can't believe everything I experienced during that time.
I met the Turkish psychedelic music group Baba Zula with whom I had the opportunity to go on tour as a solo dancer. I got to know many wonderful cities, hotels, and people.
It was a gift of life.
During that time I exchanged my brushes for dance clothes, learned Turkish rhythms, history of the former Ottoman Empire and Turkish folklore.
I will never forget that time that was so precious to me.
Also, thanks to that time, I made my dance series. They are available in my store and may be for you: Odaliscas series
When I had an exam left to finish my degree, I decided to take a year to live in Turkey.
Istanbul allowed me to be myself. It allowed me to dream high. It was what my soul needed.
When I look back I still can't believe everything I experienced that time.
I met the Turkish psychedelic music group Baba Zula with whom I had the opportunity to go on tour as a solo dancer. I met many wonderful cities, hotels, and people.
It was a gift of life.
That time I changed paintbrushes for dance clothes, I learned Turkish rhythms, history of the ancient Ottoman Empire and Turkish folklore.
I will never forget that time that was so valuable to me.
Also thanks to that time, I did my dance series. They are available in my store and can be for you: https://carmensaez.com/collections/odaliscas-ink
2011. Murcia a few months: Stage design / dance costumes.
When I returned to Spain, and taking advantage of the Turkish surge, I decided to merge dance with painting.
I composed the show Viva la Vida, where I used skulls and Mexican folklore and paintings by Frida Kahlo. We brought Frida's paintings to the dance.
I led six dancers where we used elements of Arabic and contemporary dance. We used fire, veils, flowers, shawls. It was a time of union between women and very intense work. We worked in the orchard of Murcia in the middle of nature.
When I returned to Spain, and taking advantage of the Turkish high, I decided to merge dance with painting.
I composed the show Viva la Vida, where I used skulls and Mexican folklore and paintings by Frida Kahlo. We brought the Frida paintings to the dance.
I led 6 dancers where we used elements of Arabic and contemporary dance. We use fire, veils, flowers, shawls. It was a time of unity between women and very intense work. We worked in the Murcia garden in the middle of nature. 
2012. Crisis and migration to the Netherlands | Crisis and migration to the Netherlands
When I returned from Turkey to Spain, I was faced with a huge crisis that I had not expected. I remember going to collect my Fine Arts degree and thinking, why do I want this?
I focused on finding a job related to art. It was impossible. So I thought about it a lot and decided to go to the Netherlands.
Starting out in Holland was not as easy as I had imagined. I accepted very precarious jobs.
I thought that there was no longer any room for art and that from now on I had to accept a reality different from the one I had always dreamed of.
Still, I wanted to do something related to my degree, so I set out to work as an art teacher.
And I got it.
Thanks to my visual arts classes at international schools in the Netherlands, my curiosity about new technologies in art aroused and I had to prepare topics to teach them to my students.
But I wanted to paint myself.
When I returned from Turkey to Spain, I encountered a great Crisis that I did not expect. I remember going to pick up the Fine Arts degree and thinking, why do I want this?
I focused on finding a job related to art. It was impossible. So I thought about it a lot and decided to go to the Netherlands.
Starting in Holland was not as easy as I imagined. I accepted very precarious jobs.
I thought that there was no longer a place for art and that from now on I had to accept a reality different from the one I had always dreamed of.
Still, I wanted to work on something related to my diploma, so I set out to work as an arts teacher.
And I got it.
Thanks to my visual arts classes at international schools in Holland, my curiosity about new technologies in art aroused and I had to prepare topics to teach them to my students.
But I wanted to paint myself.
2018. The return. Digital painting | The return. Digital painting
When I became a mother, my life changed dramatically , and all my hectic work activities had to stop suddenly.I found myself alone with a baby abroad, so I had time to think about what I really wanted to do with my life.
On the one hand, I bought a graphics tablet to experiment with illustration with Photoshop. I also went to the materials store and bought acrylics and brushes.
I was very influenced by social media. They inspired me to start creating. There I discovered the work of many Spanish and Dutch artists who had studied the same thing as me and were dedicated to being artists, just what I had always dreamed of!
So I started experimenting with the world of digital illustration and comics.
When I became a mother I had a drastic life change , and all my frenetic work activity had to stop suddenly.
I found myself alone with a baby abroad, so I had time to think about what I really wanted to do with my life.
On the one hand, I bought a graphics tablet to experiment with illustration with Photoshop. I also went to the supply store and bought acrylics and brushes.
I was very influenced by social networks. They inspired me to start creating. There I met the work of many Spanish and Dutch artists who had studied the same as me and were dedicated to being artists, just what I always dreamed of!
So I started experimenting with the world of digital illustration and comics.
Photo 1 and 2. These illustrations were exhibited during the “Versiona a thyssen” competition and were displayed in the same museum.
Photo 3. This illustration was commissioned for the 7 Heroes comic book store in Murcia for a collective exhibition on Star Wars.
Photo 4. This work was proposed for a mural in a school in Delft, the Netherlands. In the end, due to the pandemic, it could not be carried out.
Photo 5. EcoAventuras en Murciosaka was a comic that was selected for the Murcia comic contest in 2019.
Photo 1 and 2. These illustrations were exhibited during the “Versiona a thyssen” contest and were exhibited in the same museum.
Photo 3. This illustration was commissioned for the 7 comic book heroes store in Murcia for a collective exhibition about Star Wars.
Photo 4. This Work was proposed for a mural in a school in Delft, Netherlands. Finally, with the pandemic it could not be carried out.
Photo 5. Ecoadventures in MurciOsaka was a comic that was selected for the Murcia comic contest in 2019.
2020. Watercolor portrait period | Watercolor portrait period
Although during my studies we worked more with acrylic and oils, I decided to enter the world of watercolor.
I started drawing my son, my partner and people I saw on social media.
What I liked most about working with this new technique was letting myself be carried away by the water.
Somehow you had to adapt to what the water wanted and let the color come out on its own.
It was a technique that allowed me to work with small children at home, and also a lot of patience for the drying time between layers.
It was the technique I needed at this time in my life.
Although in college we worked more with acrylic and oils, I decided to enter the world of watercolor.
I started drawing my son, my partner and people I saw on social media.
What I liked most about working with this new technique was letting yourself go with the water.
Somehow you had to adapt to what the water wanted and let the color come out on its own.
It was a technique that allowed me to work with small children at home, and also a lot of patience for the drying time between coats.
It was the technique I needed in this period of my life.
In addition, with my knowledge of Photoshop I was able to work on the digital collage technique, along with my watercolor paintings.
If you want to see more from this period, I have my series of natural portraits, with watercolor in my shop.
Furthermore, with my knowledge of Photoshop I was able to work with the digital collage technique, along with my watercolor paintings. If you want to see more about this era, I have my series of natural portraits, with watercolor in my store.
2021. Watercolor notebook period. Travel and Nature | Watercolor notebook period. Travel and Nature
Living in the Netherlands I couldn't help but be drawn to its nature. Holland is also the country of flowers. I became very close to botanical painting and watercolor notebooks.
I used painting as a means to fall in love with the country . I knew that Holland was a beautiful country that had inspired many famous artists.
At the same time, I missed Spain a lot. I really wanted to go back, but because of my family situation, it was almost impossible.
So, through painting, I decided to love my host country.
Living in the Netherlands I couldn't help but be attracted to its nature.
Holland is also the country of flowers. I got very close to botanical painting and watercolor notebooks.
I used painting as a means to fall in love with the country . I knew that Holland was a beautiful country that had inspired many famous artists.
At the same time, I missed Spain a lot. I wanted to return with all my desire. But due to my family situation it was almost impossible.
And then, through painting, I decided to fall in love with my host country.
Also thanks to my work with watercolor, I had the opportunity to illustrate the book, carrying the seeds of life for the Reykjavik City Council and the My Madeira Island association.
This book illustrates the 36 critical biodiversity points of the planet, with their flora and fauna.
Curious about these illustrations? Find them in my collection of biodiversity paintings.
This collection and others are available in my online gallery store www.carmensaez.com
Also thanks to my work with watercolor, I had the opportunity to illustrate the book, bringing the seeds of life to the Reykjavik City Council and the My Madeira Island association.
This illustrious book, the 36 biodiversity hotspots of the planet, with its fauna flowers.
Are you curious about these illustrations? Find them in my collection of biodiversity paintings
This collection and others are available in my store Online Gallery www.carmensaez.com
2024. Return to large formats | Return to large formats
This year I feel freer with my family and my lifestyle and I have decided to return to the large format that I liked so much.
Although watercolor will always be there, oil brushstrokes are always a pleasure.
I am currently working on a fantasy series called Al Andalus , which will be released soon.
Stay tuned for my newsletter to receive the catalog first.
If you want to see other collections available in my store, don't hesitate and go to www.carmensaez.com
This year I feel freer with my family and my type of life and I have decided to return to the large format that I liked so much.
Although the watercolor will always be there, Oil Brushstrokes is always a pleasure. I was looking forward to what I liked so much.
Right now, I'm working on a fantasy series Al Andalus fantasy and it will be out soon.
Stay tuned for my newsletter to receive the catalog first.
If you want to see other collections available in my store, don't hesitate and go to www.carmensaez.com