Nina Sabina Caballero

Artist Statement

"The world is my country and the Art my Religion" ~ Nina Sabina Caballero

I started drawing at the early age of five. Human figures played an important role in my childhood drawings. My early awakenings to create art started between the ages of 12 and 13, inspired and fascinated by the works of Salvador Dali. At the age of seventeen I copied two of his well-known art works, the Burning Giraffe and Palladio's Thalia Corridor, circa1937 for the great admiration and respect. I have kept his following quote with me as a guide since my teenage years. “Begin by learning to draw and paint like the old masters. After that, you can do as you like; everyone will respect you.” - Salvador Dalí

I was remembered by my teachers as the student who was always drawing. My first artistic influence was from my art teacher Raija Ortola in secondary school. She was the first person who really saw my talent and urged me to pursue art. She mentored and encouraged me to study art history. At the age of 13 I entered my first art competition. It was a country-wide Finnish competition in which I placed third.

During this very early time of my life I also discovered Leonardo da Vinci and Sandro Botticelli and found them both to be extremely fascinating artists. I wrote an essay about the Itailian painter Sandro Botticelli, (Alessandro di Mariano di Vanni Filipepi, c. 1445 – May 17, 1510). Leonardo da Vinci was also one of my artistic idols during my youth. The painter, sculptor, architect, musician, mathematician, engineer, inventor, anatomist, geologist, cartographer, botanist, and writer captured my attention and remains to be a strong influence on my art today. His genius, perhaps more than that of any other figure, epitomized the Renaissance humanist ideal. His way of looking at and depicting the world around us has had a lasting effect on my artistic soul since the age of 13.

The second strong influence during my early pursuit of artistic skills was Finnish Painter Akseli Gallen-Kallela. Born 26 April 1865 in Pori, Finland and died 7 March 1931. He was best known for his illustrations of the Kalevala, the Finnish national epic (illustrations, below). His work was considered very important for the Finnish national identity.

Art has always been a part of my life and I have never put it aside. In early 2013 I decided to start my development to become a professional artist. During that year I started art stud