The creative process behind an artwork

We have worked on an urban art project with augmented reality as part of our art classes, during the last months, but it will remain in our hearts all our lives long.

We started with long theoretical classes, which were nevertheless not boring at all; there we started drawing the music: we translated on paper the feelings inspired by a melody, in order to better focus and stimulate our creativity. We started every class the same way, and later we debated deeply about what we wanted to represent in our mural.

After careful consideration, we identified our social message aiming at leave a lasting mark in our school and instil confidence in those who join it.

Painting our mural together

After producing several sketches, we drew inspiration from nature and, by designing various leaves from the garden, created stencils to incorporate them into the mural; finally, Sofía (Art SyamHope) added the finishing touches, thus completing the final design. At last, after several classes spent reflecting and developing the art project, we set to work on our mural.

First, we prepared the wall by sanding, cleaning, and smoothing it as thoroughly as possible in order to achieve a much better result. Once the surface had been prepared, we began painting.

We began with a yellow background, that is, the entire surface of our external building target.

On the main façade, the one facing the street, we created a green shaded circle and, within it, we drew two hands—one larger and one smaller—to represent the people who come and go, passing through the centre and the neighbourhood.

On the left and right walls, we created trees to symbolise growth, incorporating the leaf stencils we had prepared in class. Finally, Sofía added the finishing touches.

To conclude, we first tidied up and cleaned everything, and then we sat down for a moment to share about what we experienced. As a final reflection on the day, we spoke again about our intention behind the mural and what we wished to represent through it.

Photographers: Yevhen Strakhov, Alexander García, Luis Rivera, Rafa González

Leaving a mark: for those who come and go, passing through the centre and the neighbourhood

We came to the conclusion that, beyond leaving our own mark and bidding a meaningful farewell to our school, we wanted to demonstrate how important teamwork and respect among classmates are, as they are ultimately the greatest treasure we take with us.

Durante questi lunghi quattro anni non ci sono state solo le lezioni di letteratura, storia o matematica, ma anche la famiglia che abbiamo creato tra compagni, il fatto di essere cresciuti insieme accettando i nostri pregi e difetti e avendo ogni giorno un sostegno incondizionato e una gioia nel venire a scuola.

In addition to our emotional growth, we also wish to address all the boys and girls who arrive at our school with fear, seeking in some way to show that at the Grupo Cántico school there should be no fear, but rather love, care, and great trust.

With this reflection, I conclude this brief summary of the beautiful project we have been fortunate enough to carry out thanks to our wonderful art teacher Manuel García, our organiser Sofía Cande (Art SyamHope), and the Xul Foundation.

None of this would have been possible without you all!

Urban art meets technology: AR

As a final note, you should know that this mural also hides a surprise: with the ArtiVive app, you can scan the mural, activating its augmented reality. If you are unable to visit in person to experience the AR, you can watch it in this video:

Art & Health: Social Portraits

The associations ACODA and La Casa Azul have been building a relationship of trust, which was consolidated with a Framework Collaboration Agreement in 2022. This agreement goes far beyond art: it provides Health support through Art and aims to shed light and raise social awareness on Ataxia-affected people through artistic languages, in the province of Córdoba, Spain.

In the same year, Sofia Candeo, in Art Syamhope, began her artistic, professional and social collaboration with the Association La Casa Azul as a young artist and creative assistant. They first contacted when she proposed to them her unreleased artistic project "Autoprojection in colours"; this same project has matured into a more participative and Art&Health centred formula. We present it today as "Social Portraits" - where art becomes a tool to offer solidarity and support a very delicate health situation.

In 2023 the project Horizonte Solidario was launched in collaboration with the flamenco guitarist Rafael Trenas: an awareness-raising movement that uses artistic languages to express and share the Ataxia people's emotions, dispersed geographically throughout our province. It represents a call for empathy and collaboration and includes a variety of artistic actions (from photography to audiovisual production and podcasts), culminating in a major charity concert. These initiatives not only seek to increase ataxia visibility but also to raise essential funds to support those facing this condition.

Horizonte Solidario led to the spontaneous painting of landscapes by participants living with ataxia, paving the way for this new project of Social Portraits: a structural collaboration aligned with this conscious and artistic movement, conceived through dialogue among the three parties and integrating the real needs of Ataxia people.

Sofia Candeo: Inspired Art

There’s heart in art, and art in the heart

Sofia Candeo, in Art Syamhope, is an international visual artist whose work is inspired by human investigation and travel. Over the years, she has maintained her multidisciplinary approach by exploring the creative process, with a particular focus on painting and illustration as tools for emotional, cultural and human exploration. Her applied educational methodology, grounded in active participation, draws inspiration from the Montessori approach and integrates her background and interest in both the human sciences and mediation, through traditional techniques and the materials revalorization.

Following her studies at the Comics Academy of Visual Art and New Media in Padua, her city of origin, she began her professional artistic career in Córdoba, Spain. There, she continued with artistic experimentation at the Escuela Antonio Povedano and the Contemporary Art Centre C3A. She also took part in artist residencies with YAP (El Saucejo and Navarredonda) and Arte Viva (Los Blázquez), as well as in local and international art fairs such as FADAC (Seville) and THAF (London), among others. In recent years, she has received several awards in open-air rapid painting competitions, including the 17th Pedro Lobato Hoyos Prize, 2023 edition, in Ubrique (Cádiz), and an Honourable Mention in Cañete de las Torres (Córdoba). She was also invited to participate as a guest artist in La Noche en Blanco in Málaga (2024 and 2025 editions), presenting a live painting performance. Alongside, her ongoing professional engagement continues: she contributes to the design, production and direction of socially oriented artistic and cultural projects as Assistant Artistic Director at the Contemporary Creation and Cultural Production Centre La Casa Azul, and works as a painting educator for Córdoba City Council in municipal Civic Centres, as well as in early childhood education at the Zinnia Art Academy for painting and ceramics.

This trajectory naturally positions her at the intersection of art, emotion, experience and community, providing a solid foundation for work within care and mental health contexts through art.

Some Successful Real Cases

Social-Artistic Project for and with people:

2022-2026 |Horizonte Solidario, an artistic movement for health in collaboration with ACODA and La Casa Azul

2025-2026|AR & Urban Art, Urban Art and Augmented Reality in schools, XUL Foundation & SAG, EU

2025–2026 | Art Education for Children, Zinnia Children’s Art Academy, Córdoba

2025 |Libro Libre, Urban Art with participatory intervention involving painting students from Taller Lola

2025|Niñez Adulta, art exhibition and emotional painting workshops in Azuel, Córdoba

2023–2025 | Social Painting, supporting visual arts education as an emotional tool at Córdoba City Council

2024-2025|India, Kerala Edition, participatory and socially engaged travel journal created in Thiruvananthapuram

2024|Women, portraying and listening to the stories of the women of Los Blázquez, Artist Residency, Córdoba

2023–2024 | Becoming, travel journal, exhibition and social photography project in Morocco

2023 | Volunteer Course and Diploma , Córdoba Volunteer Platform

2021- 2022|Autoprojection in colours, an original multicultural artistic project promoting integration and social inclusion through colour perception and self-perception

2019 | YAP (Youth Action for Peace): Paint it in Colours, an international group of young participants created mural works for the local communities of El Saucejo and Navarredonda

2014-2017|OMG (Mato Grosso Organization)volunteer work supporting poor communities in Latin America, Italy

Linked References:

Serendipity: Done is better than perfect

I've got closer to art education by working with kids at an art academy: surprisingly, even from such a young age, we cling to perfection. But whose perfection? In fact, as kids don't have any filters, they don't even have enough experience to define their idea of perfection yet.

Some kids also say: "It's not working" or "I'm not good at it"

In theory, any child ALWAYS knows how to draw -it's an expressive ludic tool and their best tool. Though if they do say it, it means someone adult or older said they couldn't or shouldn't do it, not in that way or tried to teach them a better way out. One day, every little drop adds up, and the child blocks and turns insecure, so as not to enjoy drawing anymore.

Cornejo, Loretta. Manual of Gestalt Therapy with Children. Desclée De Brouwer, p. 60.
(traduzione personale)

With the latest art exhibition “Adult Childhood”, we explored a closely related theme: the importance of reconnecting with our inner child and allowing ourselves a space to express our emotions freely. Likely, today we'll look at what arts can offer and how a great guide can really change someone's creative process; here education becomes essential for both children and adults.

And you? Have you ever found yourself guiding someone? On the other hand, can you remember when someone guided you?

La figura dell’educatore mi ricorda molto quella di un funambolo: alla ricerca dell’equilibrio ottimo tra l’accompagnare e non imporre, il tutto senza lasciarsi sbilanciare dal proprio peso, o meglio, dal proprio bagaglio personale, routine stressante e giornate frenetiche.

Let’s explore two educational perspectives that can inspire parents, educators, and adults who wish to rediscover their passion for art: art education and arts education. Each provides valuable and cross-cultural skills that go far beyond the artistic context.

art educationvs arts education

Educational targets of both art practice and culture aren't just about knowing artworks, but much deeper and often hidden at first sight. Even though we commonly talk just about art education in general, we can differentiate between two perspectives.

What does art education aim to do?

• Sensibility and observation development

Art education trains your sight and patience: you learn to watch even when you don't get it at once; you also become more sensitive so as to notice details, shapes, colours and therefore understand complex artworks step by step.

• Free personal expression

Art is often ambiguous, which can make you feel insecure. Try instead to take advantage of it and focus on the emotions it evokes in you. How does it relate to your personal experience?

• Better critical and creative thinking

L’educazione artistica insegna anche a fare e farsi domande, non solo a dare risposte ma a mettere in discussione ciò che sembra ovvio. Prendila come un gioco, non c’è per forza LA risposta corretta.

• Comprendere il contesto culturale e sociale

L’arte non nasce nel vuoto e spesso persino la scelta della tecnica e dei materiali è condizionata dal tempo e dal luogo, altre volte invece viene ricercata per trasmettere un messaggio. Conoscendo la storia dell’arte è possibile capire come l’arte risponde a temi sociali, politici, ambientali del presente e sviluppare consapevolezza culturale e storica.

• Sviluppare empatia e ascolto

Come abbiamo visto in precedenza, l’arte si collega alle nostre esperienze personali e allo stesso modo suscita negli altri altre emozioni e punti di vista. Attraverso l’arte impariamo che esistono punti di vista ed interpretazioni diversi, impariamo così a confrontarci e dialogare

Quali sono gli obiettivi dell’educazione alle arti?

• Coltivare il rapporto con il tempo e la produttività

In un mondo veloce, sia andare a una mostra d’arte sia creare arte insegnano a rallenta: il processo di creazione ha bisogno di tempo, di lentezza, di fermarsi a osservare, conoscere il silenzio e allenare la concentrazione; imparare che l’arte non è solo il risultato ma valorizzare ogni momento come parte del processo e quindi imparare un concetto diverso di produttività che non si basa sul produrre costante e di corsa, ma sulla sensibilità.

A questo proposito può ispirarti molto il concetto di Serendipity secondo cui un’attitudine positiva al cambiamento e all’imparare, combinata con la casualità porta a risultati inaspettati rispetto al nostro obiettivo iniziale, diciamo a una sorta di “fortuna” che può sorprenderci e portarci a risultati inaspettati. Mi ha sopreso moltissimo conoscerne l’origine, ti condivido questo articolo interessante della Rivista Cultura per approfondire l’etimologia della parola “Serendipità” (Serendipity): La favola dei tre principi di Serendippo, radice del paradigma indiziario, di Melissa Pignatelli

• Educare lo sguardo e leggere i materiali

Insegnare arte, in quanto a tecnica, permette di stimolare tutti i sensi, non solo la vista: imparare a riconocere diversi materiali, ognuno diverso tra loro e con le proprie caratterische, come la vivacità dei colori, lo spessore, l’odore, addirittura il suono quando li usiamo (pensa a quanto è diverso usare una matita e usare la pittura).

• Sviluppare capacità espressive e comunicative

L’arte è un linguaggio, in Art SyamHope's Urban Art parliamo soprattutto di pittura e disegno, ma non dimentichiamoci che l’arte ha moltissime discipline ed ognuna muove delle corde diverse: se la pittura lavora il tatto e l’osservazione, il ballo lavora il corpo e il movimento, il canto la voce e l’ascolto… Tu con che disciplina ti senti più comod@?

Con l’arte impartiamo a usare materiali e tecniche come strumenti di comunicazione per tradurre pensieri, emozioni e idee in forme, movimenti, opere d’arte.

• Stimolare creatività e pensiero divergente

L’insegnamento dell’arte educa a prendere parola, a sperimentare e trovare modalità personali di espressione. Una figura educatrice capace, accompagna e invita a uscire dalla zona di confort del copiare o imitare per scoprire la tua immaginazione e creatività. È un esercizio costante di libertà mentale.

• Promuovere consapevolezza di sé e degli altri

Imparando a conoscerti attraverso l’arte e il tuo modo di esprimerti puoi prenderti cura anche della tua salute emozionale, fisica e mentale. La creazione artistica insegna avere compassione con sè stessi e con gli altri.

In sintesi

L’insegnamento dell’arte teorico e pratico mira a formare persone con una maggiore sensibilità, consapevolezza di sè e della società, contribuendo non solo al benessere individuale, ma anche al benessere sociale.

In sintesi, l’eucazione artistica è quella più teorica, intesa come materia e come storia dell’arte, per capirne i meccanismi e fondamenti, spesso ci dà un’infarinatura dell’arte e ci permette di capire non solo i grandi classici ma anche l’arte contemporanea; mentre l’educazione alle arti è pratica e conduce allo sviluppo di capacità espressive attraverso tecniche artistiche (ricordiamo che oltre alla pittura ci sono molte altre arti come la danza, il teatro, la fotografía e non solo).

Conoscere l’importanza dell’arte nell’educazione e da dove può venire il blocco creativo è un modo anche per superare la paura del foglio bianco ed iniziare un percorso di accompagnamento alla creazione che ti aiuti a ritrovare la motivazione per disegnare e dipingere, a far sì che anche i tuoi figli possano imparare un approccio diverso: l’arte come strumento per esprimersi, divertirsi e semplicemente giocare!

Lascia un commento e raccontaci cosa ne pensi!

CAN'T WAIT TO MEET YOU!

On this page, you can discover my latest artistic updates and follow the art exhibitions where I take part as both artist and manager. I invite you to explore the world of art and experience SyamHope’s artworks firsthand through upcoming artistic and cultural events.

Art SyamHope around the city

WOULD YOU LIKE TO FEATURE ART SYAMHOPE IN YOUR EVENTS?

You can book personalised art masterpieces, live art and art management for your cultural events.

Save the Date!!

niñez adulta, un omaggio all’atto del crescere

8 Agosto 2025 – 01 Aprile 2026 Sala La Zuharda, El Tejar de Azuel, Cordova, Spagna

The “Adult Childhood” collection represents a series of paintings developed through a creative process of revaluing artistic materials. The true value of these masterpieces lies above all in their history and emotions, a tribute to the act of growing up, which—through our passions—allows us to relive childhood. It is an inner journey that calls for speaking about emotions, giving them space to emerge, play, dream, and allow ourselves to be happy.

Special greetings to people who have already visited my art exhibition and left these awesome dedications!

12ª Quejío, Córdoba con Grito de Mujer - Art Exhibition

From 6th to 27th of March 2026 Biblioteca Central, Cordova Spain

Art SymHope presents some paintings from “Morocco, On the Road”, print from a travel sketchbook and “Abuela Guanche”, portrait on canva from a Rapid Painting Contest in Las Palmas, Canarie

AR - Augmented Reality & Art Education

Workshops and Projects applied to Steam Education

Con il patrocinio di XUL Foundation and School Art Gallery, Art Syamhope promuove attività mirate nelle scuole e negli spazi artistici per introdurre l’AR (Realtà Aumentata) nell’educazione artistica sia per adulti che per bambini.

Limited spots available and only for previous bookings. For more information or to bring this project to your educational centre, please get in touch through this form:

Send

If you want sponsor Art Syamhope or you want to include it in your Artistic Production contact me to know the open projects related to social and artistic research.

I remember your that my specialization are Paining and Illustration, but I also do Live Art Performance Facepainting, Comic, Mural Art, and Art Management. By clicking here you'll get directly to my mail, text me here:

On this page, you can discover my latest artistic updates and follow the art exhibitions where I take part as both artist and manager. I invite you to explore the world of art and experience SyamHope’s artworks firsthand through upcoming artistic and cultural events.

WOULD YOU LIKE TO FEATURE ART SYAMHOPE IN YOUR EVENTS?

You can book personalised art masterpieces, live art and art management for your cultural events.

Save the Date!!

niñez adulta, dedicated to the growing-up process

Starting from the 8th of August – Ongoing Sala La Zuharda, El Tejar de Azuel, Cordoba, Spain

The “Adult Childhood” collection represents a series of paintings developed through a creative process of revaluing artistic materials. The true value of these masterpieces lies above all in their history and emotions, a tribute to the act of growing up, which—through our passions—allows us to relive childhood. It is an inner journey that calls for speaking about emotions, giving them space to emerge, play, dream, and allow ourselves to be happy.

Special greetings to people who have already visited my art exhibition and left these awesome dedications!

Looking through Biodiversity with Art – Environmental Educational Centre, Cordova Centro di educazione ambientale

Friday, 12th of December 2025: “The Tiger’s Movement”, gestual drawing workshop from 4:30 pm to 8:00 pm.
Saturday, 13th of December 2025: “Nature’s Footprint”, modelling workshop from 10:00 am to 1:30 pm.

Book you spot at the workshop here: Art Workshop Form

Limited spots; please, if you're finally unavailable to come, inform us - another person would love to get this chance.

See you there!

Flora on paper, Collective Art Exhibition

12th to 25th of October 2025 , Palacio de Viana, Cordoba, Spain

The Urban Sketchers's group organises this collective art exhibition showing a diversity of artworks inspired by the ephemeral art created during the FLORA Festival's past editions.

SyamHope takes part in it with the following masterpieces:

In the Collage: Diputación, Flora 2021, Installation: Tableau, artists: Julius Vaernes' collective (on the left-top); Museo Arqueológico 2021, Installation: "Mirage: Reflections of Paradise", Artists: Inés Urquijo and Nuria Mora

Graphite on paper: Posada del Potro, Flora 2021, Artist: Terabitia
Installation: Desideratum (The desire strenght)

AR - Augmented Reality & Art Education

Workshops and Projects applied to Steam Education

Con il patrocinio di XUL Fundation e School Art Gallery, Art Syamhope promuove attività mirate nelle scuole e negli spazi artistici per introdurre l’AR (Realtà Aumentata) nell’educazione artistica sia per adulti che per bambini.

Limited spots available and only for previous bookings. For more information or to bring this project to your educational centre, please get in touch through this form:

Send

THE FORGOTTENS' LABEL, COLLECTIVE ART EXHIBITION

2nd to 16th of June, Sala FEMAPE, Calle Victoria, 17, Malaga, Spain

Experiential Automation and Willingness Standardisation affect our contemporary context: The Forgottens' labels Exhibition collectively reflects on this phenomenon, deepening consumerism, traditional roots and identity formation.

SyamHope partecipa con “Mi hogar”, realizzata con una tecnica artigianale al caffé, di piccolo formato tratta dalla collezione “Ruinas”, disponibile su richiesta

NOCHE EN BLANCO 2025

LIVE ART with SOFIA CANDEO of ART SYAMHOPE and many other artists

10 Maggio, Plaza de la Merced, Málaga, Spagna

Here you'll find the program of all the artistic and cultural activities planned for the Noche en Blanco 202: Actividades y Programa de La Noche en Blanco de Málaga 2025 The chosen topic is the local artist Rafael Pérez Estrada.

NATURAL ECHOES, collective art exhibition

24th April – 15th May, Cc Norte, Cordoba, Spain

Thursday, April 24th, 2025 at 7:00 PM – Opening of the art exhibition organized by Art SyamHope, featuring works by her oil painting students. The event is free and open to the public.

WOULD YOU LIKE TO FEATURE ART SYAMHOPE IN YOUR EVENTS?

You can book personalised art masterpieces, live art and art management for your cultural events.

II Concurso de pintura rápida en cañete de las torres 2025

Sofia Candeo de Art SyamHope partecipa ricevendo una menzione d’onore con il dipinto all’olio su tela “Azul Marino”: se vuoi approfondire qui ti racconto com’è andata!

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Mostra collettiva – 15° Festival Internazionale dedicato alla Donna,

1-31st March Biblioteca Central, Cordova Spain

SyamHope presents the visual poetry performance “The Lipstick” and in the interview with the local newspaper PTV Córdoba, more details on the Art SyamHope YouTube channel.

If you want sponsor Art Syamhope or you want to include it in your Artistic Production contact me to know the open projects related to social and artistic research.

I remember your that my specialization are Paining and Illustration, but I also do Live Art Performance Facepainting, Comic, Mural Art, and Art Management. By clicking here you'll get directly to my mail, text me here:

Contact me now

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