Meet Cara Carmina: One of Our 30 Faces of YES

When Cara Carmina arrived in Montreal in 2009, she couldn’t have imagined how far her illustration dreams would take her. She came from Mexico with a vibrant creative voice but without French, industry contacts, or a clear path. She relied on her raw talent, determination, and her goal of building a career as a professional illustrator. Life in a new country felt overwhelming, yet everything changed when she discovered YES.

Cara joined one-on-one artist coaching and workshops that gave her structure, clarity, and industry insight. Her coaches helped her explore Montreal’s rich cultural landscape, sharpen her vision, and build the confidence she needed to move forward.

Today, Cara works as a celebrated children’s book author-illustrator with 21 published titles, including nine she wrote and illustrated. She has two more books on the way, and her work now reaches international audiences through the animated adaptation Hola Frida. She also serves as a cultural mediator and meets students across Quebec; last year, she led 200 workshops in elementary schools.

From her first Quebec book, Frida, c’est moi, to her return as a YES speaker, Cara keeps creating, teaching, and inspiring the next generation.

Interview with Cara Carmina

What brought you to YES, and what were you hoping to achieve at that time?

I had recently arrived to Montreal and I was trying to start my career as an illustrator. I didn’t speak French yet, so when I found YES it was a great opportunity to get some advice and guidance about starting my path in this new city as an artist. Plus, the fact that your services are in English helped me a lot.

Can you tell me about some of the challenges or goals you faced when you first connected with YES? Was there a particular moment or obstacle that felt especially significant?

I had all the challenges in the world!!! I did not speak the language, I did not know many people, I did not know how things worked in my industry, and I was over 30 years old. Everything seemed difficult, since being an artist is not a straightforward path and is very uncertain.

How did YES support you in overcoming those challenges or moving forward in your career, business, or artistic journey?

What YES helped me the most with was to understand that making it as an artist in Montreal was not as difficult as it seemed. I discovered that there are so many opportunities here, since it is such a culturally vibrant city. The one-on-one coaching sessions were what helped me the most, as they were personal and so specific to the path I saw for myself. These sessions gave me crucial information, self-confidence, and a clearer vision to start my quest as a professional illustrator.

Where are you now in your journey, and what achievements or milestones are you most proud of?

I am now a proudly publish children book author-illustrator, with 21 books published, and 2 more coming in the coming year, 9 of them written and illustrated by me. My work has been very successful to the point that it has been turned into an animated movie (HOLA FRIDA), which is probably one of the most incredible things of my career thus far.

However, what makes me the proudest is the fact that I am now also a cultural mediator, and for the past 7 years part of my path has been working with my books directly in schools, with the students themselves. Being able to inspire them directly and telling them my story is such an amazing and enriching experience as an artist. Just last year I gave 200 workshops in elementary schools in and outside of Montreal! The illustration dream I once had when I arrived in Montreal back in 2009 has grown so much bigger than I could have ever imagined.

Looking back, is there a particular moment or success that stands out as a turning point?

The first book I published in Quebec for sure, this moment changed my path. Getting published in the city I lived in by a great publisher and with such a significant book as was Frida, c’est moi, which tells the story of Frida Kahlo as a little girl, was by far the moment that forever changed my career.

Which YES services, workshops, or coaching did you participate in?

I had artist coaching sessions and attended several workshops. The one I remember the most is a talk with Anna Goodson who has her own Illustration and animation agency, her workshop inspired me deeply.

Do you have any full-circle moments to share—such as returning as a speaker, mentor, or volunteer?

I’ve participated already a couple of times as a panelist in your artist’s inspiring events, and talking to aspiring illustrators about my story is definitely a full-circle moment and it is an absolute pleasure for me to give back to YES, who has helped me so much.

Cara Carmina’s Full Artist Milestone Timeline

2009: Moved to Montreal, where her artist identity Cara Carmina was born

2010: Began selling her artwork at local markets and events

2011: Joined YES: Started taking on-on-one artist coaching sessions and workshops

2012: Her handmade dolls were sold at the boutique of the Musée national des beaux arts du Québec in Quebec City. She made a connection with renowned actress Sophie Faucher, who had recognized her dolls from the boutique, that transformed her career.

2014: Successfully launched her line of greeting cards nationally, giving her financial independence 

2015-2016: Collaborated with Sophie Faucher on a Frida Kahlo children’s book. Once published, it was selected as a finalist for the Prix des Libraires at that year’s Montreal Salon du Livre. 

2019: Started giving workshops in schools through the organization Communication Jeunesse. She now visits an average of 200 children’s classrooms each year! 

2020: Published her first book as both author and illustrator. Her Les Lapins Malins series now includes eight books, with the ninth scheduled for release in Spring 2026. 

2022: Presented her first solo children’s illustration exhibition, Cara Carmina et moi, at La Maison de la Culture de Côte-des-Neiges, which has since toured 5 other Maisons de la Culture in Montreal 

2022-2024: Her book Frida c’est moi was chosen to be adapted into an animated production. The TV series adaptation premiered across Quebec, and the movie adaptation premiered in cinemas worldwide.

2025: Hola Frida is premiering across Mexico, including in her hometown! Her 22nd book launched in Quebec at Librairie Le Port de tête on October 18.

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