Gianina De La Cruz’s work can be described as naive art, born from her innermost expression. Her paintings are filled with hearts, flowers, and intense colors. It is the combination of colors that gives weight to her work and catches the eyes of observers, as if her art reflects her true emotions.

Gianina underwent surgery on her heart due to a congenital malformation commonly found in people with Down syndrome. The death of her father at the age of 25 from a hidden heart condition further deepened her connection to her art. Her work becomes a filter that transforms painful emotions into strength, hope, and life.

One of the distinct characteristics of her work is the way she portrays people. She draws them as children but conveys their personality traits through body language. Although Gianina faces developmental challenges in internal and spoken language, she found her strength in observing body and emotional language in others and capturing them in her artwork.

Overall, Gianina’s work is an expression of her inner self and represents the value that love brings to both the giver and the receiver.

Gianina’s strength, resilience, and love are rooted in the legacy passed down by the women in her family. Their influence has helped Gianina carve out a space for herself in the world of art and work.

Her mother, Liliana Machado, is her constant companion throughout the artistic process. It was in 2018 when Liliana discovered her daughter’s talent while going through Gianina’s notebook filled with drawings and colored pencil sketches. She noticed a pattern in her daughter’s work and found herself reflected in one of the drawings emotionally.

Liliana, who has been a widow and immigrant since the age of 19, describes the moment she discovered her daughter’s talent as a turning point. It was then that she realized the tools Gianina needed to grow and develop as an artist were already within her.

Gianina and Liliana work together as a team, providing mutual support and inspiration. When they collaborate, the results are the beautiful artworks that you, as an observer, can appreciate.