Carla Sclanders' was born into an artistic family and inherited the family's creative gene. While her formative years were spent in Zimbabwe, it was in South Africa where she received a distinction for matric art during her high school days. However, life took a different turn as Carla's focus shifted towards the world of dance. In 2020, Carla, along with her husband and two young children, embarked on a new chapter of life in New Zealand and settled on the peninsula in Whangaparaoa. The COVID-19 lockdown brought about a serendipitous moment as Carla decided to venture into the world of visual arts. Initially she worked with graphite pencils until she discovered colour pencils which fuelled a newfound passion and spurred Carla to explore her artistic talents further. Thus, Carla's Creations was born, a side business that not only allowed her to pursue her passion but also supported her in acquiring art materials. Over time, Carla expanded her repertoire, from portraits to capturing the beauty of wild animals, birds, and beloved pets. Her willingness to take on commissions further fuelled the growth of her art business. A devout Christian, Carla views her artistic talent as a divine gift. She strives to use this gift to glorify God and often incorporates meaningful Bible verses into her original artworks. Carla has already received two prestigious awards in her relatively short art career. The certificate of merit from the Luxembourg Art Prize and the premier award at the Estuary Arts Centre Members Merit Awards, which are just the beginning of what promises to be an exciting and fruitful artistic journey.