Today we’d like to introduce you to Sarahi M. Caballero.
Hi Sarahi, can you start by introducing yourself? We’d love to learn more about how you got to where you are today?
I started this because I wanted to create a life that allowed me to spend meaningful time with my family while building something of my own.
I’ve always been a creative person and as a visual artist, I’ve worked in photography and sculpture, exploring ideas through images, objects, and storytelling. That same creative spirit eventually led me to create Horno de la Montaña.
We started small. Some friends helped me build the first wood-fired oven, and the first things I baked were calzone style empanadas. Looking back, they were far from perfect, but they were the start of everything. I loved the place where I live and wanted to share it with others, even though I had very little to offer at the time. Little by little, as the project grew, I reinvested everything back into the space, improving it step by step.
Today, after years of balancing both my art and Horno de la Montaña, things are evolving. I realize that what connects everything I do is a love for creating meaningful experiences. Whether that is through art, food, or building spaces where people can simply gather and connect.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
It’s been an interesting road. Every stage brought different challenges, and each one taught me something I needed to learn.
Starting without capital was tough, but it forced me to use creativity as a tool. If we couldn’t afford something, I built it. Most of what you see in the space today came from solving problems creatively rather than throwing money at them. As an artist, you’re used to things not going as planned. You learn to adapt, improvise, and just trust the process. That exact mindset is what kept the business alive.
But the hardest part was probably the self-doubt. This project was meant to be small, just a backyard thing for family and friends. Turning it into a public space was intimidating. I was terrified the food wouldn’t meet expectations or that the experience wouldn’t translate to strangers. I care so much about making people feel welcome and happy here that the pressure was immense, especially when running the entire operation with just two people.
To be completely honest, I almost gave up. Last year, things got really heavy in my personal life, and I came very close to closing down. I’m so glad I stayed. It taught me that growth usually comes right after the toughest seasons.
If there’s one thing I’ve learned, it’s that you don’t need to have everything figured out to start. If I had waited for the perfect moment or the perfect budget, Horno de la Montaña wouldn’t even exist.
As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about what you do?
I’m a visual artist. Photography was my first language, but over the years, I fell in love with sculpture and working directly with raw materials.
My work is deeply rooted in where I live, symbolism, and the idea of transformation, how environments and experiences shape who we are.
What I’m most proud of, it’s my son. So much of what I’ve built, both in art and business, started because I wanted a life where I could actually be present for him. But strictly in my artistic practice, one of my proudest creations is a relief sculpture inspired by a local petroglyph known as Piedra Hembra. It features a vulva-like form illuminated from within. I love that piece because it connects directly to the energy of this territory and the deep bond between women and the land.
I don’t really draw a line between art and life. Whether I’m behind a camera, shaping a sculpture, or running Horno de la Montaña, I’m essentially doing the same thing: creating a physical experience and sharing something meaningful.
More than a specific achievement, I’m just proud that I’ve kept creating, experimenting, and just following my own path.
What was your favorite childhood memory?
I remember making breakfast for my dad on Sunday mornings when I was a kid.
For a while, I used to wake up early just to make him “huevos rancheros” before he even got out of bed. I’d fry the tortillas, cook the eggs, and make a simple tomato salsa. Nothing fancy, but I remember being excited about it.
My dad worked hard, so I loved surprising him with a warm plate of food when he woke up. It’s something that has stayed with me all these years.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://hornodelamontana.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/hornodelamontana_
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/hornodelamontana
- Other: www.sarahimcaballero.art https://www.instagram.com/sarahimcaballero
