artists around the world

In a unique tribute to the tireless medical professionals that care for our furry friends, Armando Ramirez in Mexico creates this charming sculpture of a veterinarian caring for a dog. He crafts the piece from recycled auto parts and scrap metal, including screws, nuts and spark plugs.

Lidia Veronica Echenagusia is a Cuban artist that lives in Costa Rica and specializes in different arts and crafts, painting being one of her greatest passions. She took inspiration from her previous work to capture with acrylic paints on canvas and in Expressionist style a woman whose hair houses the most exotic animals and nature. "This series of paintings was born because many people told me I should turn into paintings the handcrafted dolls that I used to make so they could appreciate them in their homes. I am inspired by nature, colors, everything that surrounds me; the strength, weaknesses and dreams of women and human beings in general," says Echanagusia.

Titled Sueño Escondido in Spanish.

Guatemala's beauty is timeless and harmonious. Artist Carolina Cabrera conveys the region's stunning aura through the masterful details that compose this impressionist portrait painted with oil and liquid glass. Bright and tender colors unite to represent the sweet image of a little girl wearing the region's traditional garments and conveying innocence in her graceful smile.

The painting, titled Florecita in Spanish, arrives signed and stretched.

Memories from ancestors offer a glimpse of the Mayan grandeur. Oil and liquid glass allow Guatemalan artist Carolina Cabrera to capture the country's pride in the ancient Maya world, paying homage to her heritage. The artist adds a symbolic message through the diverse elements composing this expressionist painting. The man at the center represents Guatemala's people, whereas the fuming candles appear to create a symphony of colors that depict the Maya's cultural richness.

The piece, titled Ritual Maya in Spanish, arrives signed and stretched.

"My definition of world peace is the desire of every human being who decides and chooses to be at peace in their own way. If humans realize we can all choose to make peace by asking God to give us a heart that is peaceful and calm, then there will be no war. My hope for world peace is that all beings can individually create something good and respect each other, and then peace will be established," says Ida Ratna Ningrum.

The artist advocates for harmony and goodwill with her daydream-like painting "Pray for Peace." With idyllic realism, Ida creates a desert landscape symbolic of societal conflicts and scarcity, dominated by a prayerful young woman in a pink dress.

The artist explains that the cat and white rabbit symbolize rebirth and new beginnings, respectively, as they accompany the girl in her quest for peace. Circling above, white doves soar freely, symbolizing the release of a new period of peace under a pure blue sky. Thriving around the young woman, cacti, prickly pears and aloe represent the protection provided by mother nature, even in times of friction. An encouraging reminder of human resilience, the painting calls for a new peaceful era on planet Earth.

"Peace is the desire of every human being around the world," says the artist. "Prayer is a method of expression from a person to God and the universe. A sad girl sees a beautiful world without any feelings of peace, as if there is always war. She prays to God that the world will always be at peace without any war. If the world is free from war, the world will be peaceful, serene, and prosperous."

Beauty moves and spreads around each element composing this world, and Sevak Mirzakhanyan's artistic eye discovers it even in the most remote items. Working with recycled metal pieces, the Armenian artist creates this ballerina sculpture, whose graceful movements send a message of love for the environment.

Soccer is a sport beloved around the world with millions of loyal followers and stars as big as any Hollywood actor. Peruvian artisan Miguel 'Metal' Mejia pays homage to the popular sport with a sculpture of a soccer player dominating the ball almost like a professional acrobat. The striking sculpture is crafted from recycled auto parts like bolts, nuts and more which makes it eco-friendly.

This breathtaking folk painting by Indian artist Bharti Dayal celebrates the eternal love between Hindu deities Krishna and his chief consort, Radha. In this scene they share a private moment as she asks him to play his magical flute, oblivious to the world around them. Acrylic paints and vegetable dyes in bright hues of red, green, blue, brown, grey, black, beige and yellow are applied on handmade paper to craft the exquisite painting in the traditional Madhubani style.

Calm and serenity reign around the spiritual guru Sai Baba in this beautiful painting by Sunil Jaiswal. Sai Baba led a very simple lifestyle and shunned all worldly things to live a pure and spiritual life. The artist renders the expressive portrait in a serene palette of blues and lilacs.