My name is Carmen de la Mano. I am a Spanish artist and my last name literally means 'by the hand' . This is auspicious, as my hands are covered in plaster or paint daily; tasked with delivering something new and artistic for my clients. I was born in Sevilla, Spain. And I always knew I wanted to be an artist. I completed degrees from Facultad de Bellas Artes and Escuela de Artes y Oficios. Then, in '92 I moved to San Francisco where I obtained a Masters in Fine Arts at the Academy of Art University.

While in San Francisco, I initially worked as a creative director in the graphic design & fashion fields. Throughout the years my artistic interests continually adjust. I have broadened my talents from UC Berkeley to Lago Como, Italy; specializing in artistic finishes like plasters, murals, chinoiserie, gilding metals and more.

In 1999, I started my Decorative Paining Bussiness, creating amazing interior environments and bringing my experience and sensibilities to my projects.

I am blessed to have eclectic clients with such dynamic projects that keep my days varied. One minute, I might have a trowel in my and creating Venetian plaster walls at a winery in Sonoma while the next project is Faux bois in Paris. I might be buried in coral sculptures at my studio in Chicago for a restaurant in DC followed by stenciling a concrete border for a luxury car garage; only to be atop of a ladder, painting a mural for that special bistro in the north shore.

What I love the most about my work is the quality and range of the people with whom I have had the privilege to collaborate one the years. These prestigious designers, decorators and architects have mentored me and widened my artistic horizons band I count it and honor & blessing to be part of their collective vision. 

I use many different mediums, such as oils, acrylics, and plasters. I believe that working in a single medium is restrictive to my artistic process. Each idea manifests in its own individual style.

Are the architects and designers that with their vision force me to seeing myself  in things that are not me, finishing with a collaborative end result that exceeds our expectations.