Katya De Luisa is a multi-talented artist, freelance writer and author who has resided in Cost

Her mask creations the “Personas” are her most recent creations.

“Persona Process”

They begin with a base made from a gourd which grows on Costar Rican trees. For several years I worked with the Terraba Indigenous here in Costa Rica, helping them to improve their gourd handcrafts. The gourd has been used for centuries by these people as water containers, and as bowls for food and ceremony. I was told each gourd contains a spirit of the tree they came from. 

After picking the gourds from the tree, I cut them in half, scoop out the soft spongy insides, and dry them. Then they are sanded and I apply air-hardening clay to the rounded surface and sculpt the face. With acrylic color I create designs and finally apply the beading, then frame them.

Each mask can take from 7 to 10 days to complete. 

Artist Statement

The masks fascinate me, I never know how they will turn out until completely done. Each step in the process is spontaneous and the “personalities” emerge making every mask unique; no two are alike. It’s as though the spirit in each individual gourd guides me which not only gives the mask a unique personality and their own spirit.