When Marta struggles to communicate with rest of the world, her talented and beautiful gift of art helps her to express the way she feels. Her remarkable artistic talent has proudly made her first disabled painter ever admitted to the Department of Fine Arts of the Complutense University of Madrid. Her paintings have won several awards at International Down Syndrome Foundation painting contests. Her charismatic paintings were exhibited at the prestigious Gaudi Gallery in Madrid and was the first Down Syndrome artist invited to exhibit at the 'Open Art Fair' in Utrecht, Holland. Other than artistic venture Marta is a champion gymnast and loves to participant in activities like horseback riding, golf and sailing. We want to applaud Marta for all her achievements.

What do you like about art? How did you learn to paint so beautifully?M: I love the beauty, the calm, the abstraction. It is inside me, inhave a world inside me. When I have difficulties to express what I have in me or communicate with the rest of the world, I go to work on my art. And that's the way I can transmit it. My first teacher, Pablo was very important in my career, he left me to express myself with no manipulation. Just giving me some guidance about art techniques. God didn´t give me the facility to communicate with word the way I feel, or what and who I love. But he gave me instead a beautiful gift, my talent for painting. Art is my life, my vocation. It is all for me. I am very grateful for this gift.

At what age did you start painting? How many paintings have you painted so far?M: I was 16 years when I told my parents that I wanted to take painting classes. And I have since painted over 100 paintings and many more drawings.

Which is your own favorite creation and why?M: “My dog is a person”. I got an award for it, but also because I painted my own dog, which I loved, and I painted the way I saw him, as a person.

What are your other hobbies?M: Movies, golf, swimming, horse-riding, snow skiing, paddle tennis and going to Disney world.

What do you like to do when you are with your family/friends?M: Go with them to have dinner, to the movies or going to Disney with my family. Also, I love going to the beach and the pool.

What is your favorite place to visit?M: I have travelled a lot with my family, Thailand, Egypt, ... But the best Disneyland Paris and Walt Disney world in Orlando.

Can you give some tips/advice for those in our community who pursue their creativity?M: Feel free to paint from inside and not be afraid. Just draw what you like in your life and around you, and express painting how grateful and happy you are for all your gifts in life.

Any special message for our community?M: Help other people like me get started their way into the art. They have a very rich inside world, that those around them don’t know. The best way to get it out to them is through the art.