Carlinhos

Artisan Organization: Carlinhos

Country:

"I was born to a family of farmers in a small town in the interior of the northeastern state of Paraiba.

"In 2003, I moved to a city in Pernambuco where I met my wife Josefa, who gave me two children.

"A cousin of mine introduced me to master artisan, Marcos Paulo, who taught me how to carve. He then invited me to be his assistant. After two years, I started to create my own designs and was able to live from my art.

"I really like what I do. The inspiration for my work comes from my roots — the suffering people known as retirantes who were forced to abandon their homes and their lands because of the drought that destroyed everything. I grew up listening to my parents' stories of these dry and hard times. I am proud to show the struggles of these brave men and women of the northeast through my work.

"Today, I have a workshop in my house, which allows me to support my family and take care of my 90-year-old mother.

"My wife helps me by painting my designs. My eldest son, 13-year-old Carlos Eduardo, is already interested in what I do and Maria Sofia, three, likes to play with the paints.

"I sell my carvings at fairs in other cities and now, through Novica, to people in other countries.""