As a woodcarver from Guatemala, Vilma Chile is dedicated to preserving the art form that has been passed down from her mother and grandmother by sharing it with her four daughters. Her aspiration is to teach her daughters more about the importance of their culture and to ensure they inherit the love she has for art.
How many children do you have and what are their ages?
I have four girls. Their ages are 12, 8, 6 and 4.
Are you the sole economic provider for your family?
No, my husband also works. We are both in charge of providing for our household. It’s a large advantage that we can both bring food to the table.
Can you describe your experience as a mother?
It’s been a wonderful experience that only other mothers can understand. The tenderness I feel when I hold my daughters in my arms and that love so big that bonds us together is the best feeling. I never understood the love my mother has for me until I became a mother – it’s the best thing that’s happened to me.
Tell us how you manage to combine your responsibilities as a mother and your work as an artisan?
Because of the commitment I have to my daughters, I couldn’t work a job with regular hours. This is one of the main reasons I became an artisan, so I could work from home and watch my daughters grow up.
How have you balanced motherhood and being an artisan?
I have noticed that that the mothers that don’t work from home have more difficulties with their families than I do. Working from home gives me the opportunity to always be there for my daughters to address each problem that comes up.
What does it mean to share your art with the world through NOVICA?
It’s very important to be able to make a living with what our culture and art represents to the world. Novica is a place where I can earn money doing what I love, while showing the world the beautiful art from our region.
Do you share your art with your children?
Definitely! It’s really important for us that our daughters get to know the work we do. I like to tell them the story behind each product I make so they understand why each product is so important to our culture.
How has NOVICA influenced your relationship with your daughters?
With Novica’s help, my daughters will inherit the work I do and thanks to Novica, we are experiencing things we may not have otherwise. Sharing moments with them, like the photo shoot we just did, is very special. They were very excited and happy since we never had the chance of getting our pictures taken together. This was a great experience for all of us.
How has NOVICA helped you preserve your culture?
I’m really thankful to Novica customers for keeping our culture and art alive. I’d like to thank you for appreciating the work we do and for showing interest in the meaning and story behind each piece. I’d also like to thank Novica for the work you do for us. By doing this, you allow us artisans to have a better life and to be able to provide a better life to our children through education and better health.
If you’d like to support Vilma and help preserve the art of her culture, please take a look through her collection of unique art here.
Do you balance your time between being a working professional and a mother like Vilma? What tips can you share with other mothers on how to balance motherhood and a career? Let us know in the comments below.
