"Today I serve as the principle furnituremaker at Peru's Presidential Palace, and also teach others the craft that I began to learn when I was 22 years old."

Fidel Barrientos Bustos is featured in Keepers of the Arts, a beautiful hardcover book available through Novica.

"I learned the art of woodcarving thanks to my relatives, who are also artisans. Today I serve as the principle furnituremaker at Peru's Presidential Palace, and also teach others the craft that I began to learn when I was 22 years old.

"In the photograph below you will see one of my recent projects, a collection of chairs carefully carved and adorned with ornately hand-tooled leather, sitting in the salon of the presidential palace.

"My work possesses a colonial style; my principal desire is to express the creativity and ingenuity of the Peruvian artisan and the traditions of our culture, so rich in style and design.

"With perseverance and hard work, my style of artistry has now captured the imagination of many people – and I have even earned a number of awards for my work."