'Cotton-Carrier'

NOVICA, in association with National Geographic, offers thousands of limited edition and one-of-a-kind gifts, jewelry, and home decor treasures handmade by master artists and artisans throughout the world. "This is a scene from northern Peru, where women carry cotton on their heads," explains Vilma Ipanaque. She prepares a palette of rich, intense colors that exudes the warmth and energy of her chosen topics. Titled "Cargadora de algodon" in Spanish. Artisan Info: "I'm Vilma de los Milagros Ipanaque Sosa, born 14 September, 1968. I was only five years old when I knew I was in love with painting. I remember once, when I was at school, we had an Arts teacher who only taught music. I said to him 'teacher, I want to learn about painting.' He didn't budge, so I had to be satisfied with listening to music and painting at home. "After high school my mother enrolled me in an institute to study something completely different to art. She thought painting offered an uncertain future, so I did as she wanted. However, one day walking back home, I saw a promotional poster announcing the registration period at the Ignacio Merino Superior Institute of Art. I didn't have to think twice, I found out about the entrance exam, and took it. I was so happy when I found out I had been accepted! "I didn't tell anyone about it. I dropped out of the other course and devoted myself to studying art. I used the tuition fee my parents gave me for the other institute to pay the new one, and I kept my notebooks