Gourd carver Bertha Aquino comes from Cochas Chico Huancayo, a small village high up in the Andes Mountains of Peru, where she and her people still practice the traditional Incan ways and speak the traditional Inca Language.

Bertha began carving gourds when she was only five years old. She learned from her father, the famed gourd carver Evaristo Medina. Gourd carving is an ancient art in Bertha's family, going back for more generations then Evarsto could ever remember and now, a new generation is carrying on the art. Evaristo taught his whole family Bertha Aquino Medina (wife), children Freddy (31), Percy (27), Pabel (25), Liz (23) and his grandchild Brian (9). Evaristo's work can be found at the International Folk Art Museum of Santa Fe, the Smithsonian Museum, and photographs of his work are featured in the bokk "Spirit of Folk Art", published by the International Folk Art Museum of Santa Fe.

The delicate imagery engraved in to each gourd is more than just carving: each gourd tells a story. As she carves she thinks of the daily lives of her family and neighbors, the history of the Incas, the village fiestas and the Celebrations of the Animals held each July 25th and August 1st to honor the animals that help them. Bertha brings to her work and spirituality that comes from her love of her people and their history, and her peoples love and respect for their land and for the animals that provide assistance to their daily lives. the llama, sheep, burro, bull and cow.

The gourds Bertha uses for her art are grown only on the coast of Peru. When Bertha and her family journey there to make their purchaces they look for gourds that resemble birds and animals, and they examine each carefully to make certain that it is of the finest quality, with no scratches or bruises to mar the delicate carving.

Here in the United States she has received many certificates and awards, plus there have been published articles in "The Santa Fe New Mexican", "The Santa Fe Region", and "The Santa Fe Reporter". Her art can be seen at The International Folk Art Museum in Santa Fe, New Mexico, The Maxwell Museum of Anthropology, and The Smithsonian Museum. The Medina family is also featured in many books such as "Hand carved and decorated gourds of Peru" be Elenor Menzie (1976).