At what point did you lose your inner child?

In case this word sounds unfamiliar to you...

What does "inner child" refer to?

The inner child refers to the part of us that remains spontaneous, emotional, and creative in fact, the part we often set aside as we grow up.

Now, try it yourself. Close your eyes: when was the last time you laughed out loud, when your eyes suddenly lit up… Got it? That very spark is our inner child finally finding the space to run, play again, be amazed, and feel.

How does finding your inner child help you?

Getting to know this term is already a huge step forward in finding your inner child, but there’s more: doing so can change your life and really help you to find happiness again.

When we do reconnect with our inner child, we’re in fact opening the door to vitality, curiosity and, above all, lightness! In our childhood, we experienced these emotions, but over time social judgment, overly strict rules and limiting environments have made us lock them away so that we forgot what once — and deeply still today — truly brings us joy.

That’s why it’s so important to make space for creative activities: art in all its forms (painting, dance, theatre, music and many others) allows us to recognise and process emotions that would otherwise remain stuck inside us — emotions that still try to find a way out, often spilling over as bursts of anger, sleepless nights or anxiety. Through art, instead, we experience a true catharsis: rather than blocking these emotions, we move through them and give them the space they need to express themselves.

And when you give yourself this space, you change, and your approach to life changes too: more playful and lighter, which naturally improves your emotional wellbeing and the relationships around you.

What is it to me: "Adult Childhood"

“Adult Childhood” is today a collection of artworks, but before that — long before becoming a brushstroke, a painting, and eventually even an exhibition — Adult Childhood was an idea that, for me, represents that very moment when we — you and I — as adults, find our inner child again; that moment when we rediscover magic, wonder, and the ability to be authentic.

Practically and currently in the Tejar of Azuel ( South Spain), “Adult Childhood” is a series of paintings born from a unique creative process that reconnects with that inner child we so often forget we are — and once were.

Discover the masterpieces' worth between stories and emotions

The true value of these artworks lies in their story and their ability to evoke emotion. Each painting becomes a small tribute to the act of growing up: although life takes us physically away from our childhood, our passions allow us to bring it back to life.

La collezione “Infanzia adulta” nasce da un processo creativo unico in cui tele e cornici recuperate dalla strada o abbandonate, trovano una nuova seconda opportunità per venire valorizzate, restaurate e trasformate in nuovi racconti visivi. Ogni opera pittorica diventa così un ponte tra la nostra infanzia e la vita adulta che risveglia il bambino interiore.

This art collection invites you to dive into yourself and offers a comfortable space where you can:

The art exhibition “Adult Childhood” is not just a artworks collection but an emotional journey where art becomes a shelter that speaks directly to the visitor, inviting you to feel, connect, and rediscover your inner child.

One last detail...

If you come to The Tejar de Azuel (in the Cardeña region, South Spain), I really wish you a very nice visit!

Nel frattempo fammi sapere cosa ne pensi qui sotto nei commenti, chi ci è già passato invece ha lasciato queste bellisme dediche:

To support Art SyamHope and get an original masterpiece, contact me here:

Adopt your Artwork

Visit the art exhibition virtually through this interview conducted by Francisco Moreno - Azuel official reporter

Have you found this article interesting? Let me know it in the comments below!

There's a story of mine I've carried for years. A story from my first studies, when I started exploring visual language techniques and its narrative power. I've never shared it before... until now.

Today, that story becomes an illustrated silent book, finally available on Amazon.

A silent book talking with no words

Silent books, or wordless books are illustrated and don't contain texts. In these books, observation becomes essential because every page depends on images to tell a story. This narration type triggers the reader's imagination, and it's for everyone, regardless of their language or age.

“Efectos Adversos” (Collateral Effects) is a project that enlightens what I love: to tell histories through images and especially to believe in my passion.

A STORY KEPT IN A DRAWER

The illustrated story in this book is one of the first I ever created. I made it at the beginning of my educational journey, but I had never found the right moment to share it: a book that, although wordless, feels intimate and emotionally engaging. I created it a long time ago, and while back then it was pure expression, today I can truly recognise its value.

To me, publishing it today is a small act of courage, but also a way to move on and offer something personal to those who love illustration, silence, and visual poetry. At the same time, it's an act of faith in the story itself, which wants nothing more than reminding how important it is to keep a passion alive: a passion makes us feel alive, brings color to routine, and reminds us that, in the end, what truly matters is to live day by day.

What you'll find in the book

• An authentic history told through original images only
• A delicate, both visual and narrative style
• An open ending to imagine more and more
• A final section dedicated to production notes, for those curious about the behind the scenes

You should read it if...

This silent book is made for:

• You who love handmade illustrations and visual narration
• Parents, teachers and educators
• Kids and adults who look for a quiet and inspirational moment
• You curious about exploring wordless stories and want to find yourself again

Where can you find it

This illustrated book is available on Amazon as both a paperback book and an e-book.
Clicca qui per acquistarlo su Amazon

Why have I published it?

If, upon rereading this story, I hadn’t rediscovered the motivation to continue pursuing my passion, I surely wouldn’t have even thought of sharing it: it was a dream kept in a drawer, like yours, lingering there—undecided whether to fade into oblivion or become a seed of hope. The more I move forward, the more I’m convinced that dreams kept in a drawer have their own time, and we must nurture them so they can bear fruit… And maybe one of the most beautiful fruits is just being able to share it, and knowing it might spread its colours to you as well.

This, for me, is a declaration of love for my creative journey.
Publishing it was a way to give myself value, and perhaps also to inspire those who, like me, have a story tucked away in a drawer, still waiting for the courage to be lived.

If you read it—or better yet, observe it—tell me what Side Effect it had on you:

Tell me about you: what passion helps you paint your days? How does it inspire, distract you, or help you find your motivation again? Share it with me in the comments below.

Beware! You might end up having more fun than expected—and even spread your passion to others!

Saturday, May 10th, 2025, was a truly great day for art and culture in Málaga — and that’s exactly where the Live Art adventure begins! In the meantime, get ready to become a child again!

THE NUIT BLANCHE MALAGA 2025

What is the famous White Night (Nuit Blanche)? It’s an event that brings together many art and cultural promoters to support numerous artists, poets, singers, and public activities — from street art to concerts — running throughout the day and culminating in an explosion of creativity at night. You know the expression “white night”? That’s where the idea comes from to recall a vibrant city full of energy for celebrating a full artistic night!

P.S. A fun historical fact: the first “White Night” was proposed in Paris in 2002, with the idea of opening museums, cultural centres, and public spaces outside regular

Each White Night focuses on a theme which leads its events, in this case, the artist Rafael Pérez Estrada. He was a writer and poet from Málaga known for his imaginative and original style, blending poetry and visual elements such as drawing. Throughout his career, he published numerous books and became a key figure in contemporary Spanish literature, especially in experimental poetry.

We met in the afternoon to prepare the space and materials for the Graffiti and Urban Art performance. Little by little, each of us began working on our artwork... So that I ended up talking with so many different people from all over the world (Hong Kong, Brisbane, and many more!). And maybe that’s the most beautiful and inspiring part of creating Live Art!

I was fully immersed in my creative process when, among all these people, some children came closer. And thinking about it, in their shoes, I would have been amazed to start painting too! I mean, if you're curious, you like it, and you want to play... the first thing a child would do is get their hands dirty! So, I remembered that I had with me an artist's book that was perfect for the occasion, and I thought it would be fun to share it.

The interesting thing is that Rafael Pérez Estrada’s work comes from playing, and that’s why it’s so creative and fantastic. Perhaps this freshness of the creative process somehow inspired me to get involved and sit down with the children to paint.

Live Art Result - La Nuit Blanche Malaga 2025

In the following lines, I'll present you the masterpiece I created for the Nuit Blance original Art SyamHope:

In the foreground, a feather transforms into his portrait — in this way I represent the artist not only in his physical appearance but, above all, in his deepest essence. In the background, I stylised a representation of his artworks, including references to his female portraits, star elements (often six-pointed), angels, and one of his most iconic creations: a dove-hand. Interestingly, many of Estrada's female portraits are often connected by recurring features, such as the side profile and fashionable hats. And while Rafael Pérez Estrada isn’t particularly defined by a strong painting technique, what truly stands out is the creativity and imagination of his visual and poetic work.

In primo piano troviamo una piuma che si trasforma nel suo ritratto, un modo di rappresentare l’artista non solo nel suo aspetto fisico ma anche e soprattutto nella sua essenza più profonda. Per lo sfondo, ho scelto invece una rappresentazione stilizzata delle sue opere d’arte, con una citazione dei ritratti femminili, dell’elemento delle stelle, spesso a sei punte, degli angeli e di una delle sue creazioni più celebri: una colomba-mano. È curioso che in Rafael Pérez Estrada troviamo moltissimi ritratti femminili, uniti da alcuni elementi che si ripetono, come per esempio il profilo laterale e cappelli di moda. E, se la tecnica pittorica no distingue specialmente Rafael Pérez Estrada, sicuramente è notevole la creatività e la fantasia delle sue opere, visive e poetiche.

The artwork is available upon request, 160×160 cm (quadriptych), as a decoration for your cultural events or as part of your art collection. Book it through this form:

It was an intense day of open-air painting, where lights and the surroundings shaped my creative process. Quick painting sessions always lead me to discover unexpected, lively and spontaneous brushstrokes. And that direct connection with the space, and the challenge of creating the painting in just a few hours, is an artistic experience that enriches me every time and pushes me to keep exploring colours and shapes.

To relate to the festival’s floral universe, I chose to use a deep and vibrant blue, as the marine theme selected for “Calles en Flor” 2025. It is, in fact, a unique blue, created from a mix of pigments I personally purchased in Morocco, in Chefchaouen — the Blue City — and it is the very same blue of the Huerto Francés traditional flower pots, a characteristic corner of Cañete de las Torres.

The news has been covered by local newspapers such as El Debate and Cordópolis, which delights and encourages me to keep sharing my art with more people. I'm grateful to the Cañete de las Torres Town hall and the Fundación Caja Rural for making this live painting competition possible and for supporting artistic creation.

I'll show you the masterpiece I created in such little time:

“Azul Marino” is available for anyone who wishes to adopt an original and award-winning artwork for their art collection. For more information and booking:

This last weekend I discovered a unique place in Andalusia: El Tejar de Azuel. I'll try not to make any spoilers, but if you come around, this artistic place in Andalusia is a must for you - and it's free!

First of all, why is it called “Tejar”? This term refers to the kilns where roof tiles were traditionally handmade—tiles that were very important for Andalusian trade and part of a long artisanal tradition linked to pottery and ceramic production. Historical sources in the Cardeña region, in the Valle de los Pedroches where Azuel is located, are unfortunately very scarce, and only local testimonies allow us to truly understand its history. We recognise Almagra ceramics, traditional of southern Spain, by their deep red colour: indeed Al-magra means “red ochre” in Arabic - another sign of the deep Arab influence on the historical and linguistic culture of Andalusia.

This detail is important because these very Almagra roof tiles guide the open-air museum of the Tejar de Azuel: a place full of charm that tells the story of Cardeña’s culture and the village of Azuel through art and poetry. Here, you can walk in nature and fully immerse yourself—body and mind—in the Tejar, accompanied by numerous sculptures, stories, and poems. I'm telling you about this creative garden because the dedication and attention to detail truly impressed me: all thanks to the artist Jose Ruiz Cañadas's ongoing work and his neighbours' support. In fact, many of the works found here are his creations, and between a career dedicated to teaching—first children, then adults—it is in the Tejar that he builds a space for recreation, discovery, and education through poetry, theatre, art, and nature. If you're lucky, he might even guide you personally on a tour through the Tejar de Azuel!

Coming to an end, you'll be surprised by the magic of this place where you'll find art, a natural ecosystem and an amazing view of the Pedroches Valley!

There is no art without freedom, and when the deeper creative self comes to the light, we get emotional with art: you're walking and suddenly, besides your indifference… You stop!

It is precisely from this challenge and the need to talk about freedom that this syamhope artwork is born—an artwork that explores and reflects the challenges and hopes of modern society.

Statements, context, and inspiration behind the artwork about Freedom

As an artist and a woman, I have found myself delving into the connection between creativity and autonomy in today’s society, which is torn between old frameworks, emancipation, and the search for a new social balance. So, by challenging conventions, I created this poem and artwork, known as “Visual Poetry”. I was reflecting on how often we take our freedom for granted: something as simple as being able to listen to and play the music we want, speak freely, dress how we like. I was also thinking about how heavy criticism can feel when we choose to break the mold. About how others sometimes impose limits on us that don’t belong to us.

So, how can we find the answer to the need for freedom? We can always make a choice, and that is the greatest freedom we have. Despite this, we often don’t change due to our laziness or fear; infact, deep down, a golden cage is easier and more beautiful than a constant struggle — but how far can you go on conforming?

With this artwork, I invite reflection; I turn these habits, desires, and needs upside down — these ripples in the everyday conviction of being free.

External links and collaborations: Antologia d’Arte e Poesia, pag 90 – Quejío, Grito de Mujer

Exhibiting at: Arte contemporanea en la Casa Azul, Córdoba, Spain

Share your thoughts in the comments and let me know if you're still curious about the artwork. See you soon!

• You were born an artist!!

Well, you should better have a think about it. This very nice compliment means you actually believe that to create is magic. It surely sounds good at first, but it's a common and especially limiting belief.

Follow me and watch out. Here is the key to getting motivated again in order to paint, draw, in general create.

How does affect you believing it's magic?

1. You study Art or You are an Art Lover. In your case, you'll completely lose the motivation to study, improve or practice. Do the following phrases sound familiar to you? "In the end it's magic, it's not worthy to make any effort" or "That's too hard for me, I'm never going to make it!"...
2. You're artist, singer, musician, poet, actor, any kind of creative people.In your case, you'll believe creativity depends on the right day, instead; or that you'll need to rely on smoking and drinking to find inspiration; and above all, it's the same if you work or get a drink: "In the end, it's my way of creating".
3. Pensi che fai schifo a disegnare e sei negato. Non sei l’unico, spesso pur facendo meraviglie un artista pensa lo stesso, ne ho conosciuti tanti! In questo caso, pensare che creare è magia ti farà credere che non sei creativo, avrai il rifiuto a disegnare perché ti vergogni o ti fa rabbia non esserne capace, e beh “se lo faccio mi esce terribile, no grazie”.

Everyone indeed finds their own inspiration and strategy; however, on the long term it's also normal that you'll need to find the motivation again. As well as it's normal that you don't wake up every morning with a new idea to write a song or to draw.

In the first cases, you are initially full of ideas to draw and write, but suddenly puff! Your brain feels empty and fears the blank page! So how do you get back on the track and find the motivation again?

Strategies to motivate again and enjoy doing things

As previously mentioned, motivational lack is completely human and normal, Even if you "were born an artist".

So, before anything else, let's work on this first limiting belief of the constant need for productivity, and most of all the self-demanding excess: yes, you can be an artist and wake up one morning with no ideas, it can happen and that's okay, breath! And if you think you're useless at drawing, why don't you try anyway? Remember that the result doesn't matter, the important thing is that you like it and feel good.

Moreover, you can be creative even without being an artist: creativity applies to infinite other fields in everyday life.

The second step to motivate again is understanding that to create can be magical, but it's not magic. This great difference is fundamental since it's going to be your pillar, your handhold, at any doubtful, depressed and demotivated time of "I can't do it", "I'm too tired, "I can't decide anything" - from what to eat to what to create.

Then, what is the secret to create? Action. Trying and trying harder.

To my students I always say that creativity is like a plant: you need to water it constantly and take care of it every day. Maybe it helps being predisposed, but that's not enough to find motivation or inspiration.

Practical suggestions to find the motivation again

• Forget about the phone and face that feeling of not knowing;
• Write at least 30 words, the first that comes to your mind (names, verbs, things, people, food...);
• Change, go out of your comfort zone, visit new places and meet different people ;

The phone and internet are very comfortable, both for finding inspiration and forgetting it in your infinite favourites folder: you get too stimulated but at the same time you lose attention and energy. It becomes even better to avoid and postpone stuff you don't like - especially getting tired and facing inconvinient emotions such as feeling unable and learning something new.

You can think you don't like anything in particular or: "I don't think I'm lazy, there's something more behind I can't recognise, but I'm never motivated". It can happen, especially during stressful periods and hard contexts - in this case, psychological help could support you in understanding where it comes from. In the meantime, you can start with this super-easy exercise and write a series of words. Even though you don't know what you like, there will surely be things you don't like at all, and this is an equally important orientation. Once you do it, you'll discover that in reality there actually is a connection among all those words. This is very nice exercise to find inspiration in music, painting, and any other discipline.

To conclude, changing the environment and people around you helps you to get new ideas, and see new solutions and new perspectives which you can't even imagine now. You can find new inspiration, even in your city or neighbourhood. In the end, you find the motivation where you can be yourself, where you feel free to express yourself.

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