Today we’d like to introduce you to Francisco Hernandez.
Hi Francisco, so excited to have you on the platform. So before we get into questions about your work-life, maybe you can bring our readers up to speed on your story and how you got to where you are today?
I was born in Maracaibo, Venezuela in 1962. As a teenager, I started doing landscape paintings on canvas and learning some basic artwork techniques. During those early years, I managed to sell some paintings to friends and family and kept some of them at my mother’s house.
I graduated from Universidad del Zulia with a Bachelor’s in Industrial Engineer in 1989 and immediately found a job in a major Engineering Consultancy Company. I worked as an Engineer in my hometown for about 18 years. During that time, I became a husband and father. Since I was very busy at work and raising a family, I had very limited time to focus on my art and so my work as an artist took a long pause.
I was working for a major Oil and Gas Corporation, but given the difficulties that our country was facing I decided it was best to seek an opportunity to work overseas, which led to a position in New Orleans, USA in 2007.
During my assignment in New Orleans, I started attending numerous art shows, music festivals, and immersing myself in the rich culture of Louisiana, this brought back the inspiration to start painting again. Initially, I began working on some abstract compositions but gradually began developing my skills into Kinetic art compositions, full of geometric shapes and bold colors. This is where I believe I find himself more comfortable and where my work as an artist has been rapidly evolving for the past 4 years.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
It has not been a smooth road; specially since the moment, you realize you want your artwork to reach more people and start facing the challenges associated with promoting your work.
For a person my age with some advance computer skills and more or less familiarized with social media, I thought that it was going to be easier. However, figuring out what audience you want to reach and which platforms to use so you can expand your network can be challenging at times.
Nevertheless, it has been an exciting and amazing journey. If anything, it’s been a great opportunity to challenge myself not only to be more creative. Specifically, how to better understand what people seek, what moves them, what impact a visual image can have on someone, and how I wish to bring happiness and joy to someone’s life through my work.
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
I see myself as an artist that has been sidetracked as an engineer. However, I believe that the engineering mindset and my experience of more than 30 years as such has had a huge impact over what I paint and over my creative process.
That creative process is all about square and rectangular shapes, lines and angles that tend to match and bold and brilliant colors that stand out. I fetch for the intensity of the composition, that place where different shades of color create a two-dimensional, or three-dimensional, subtle yet perceivable motion. Color is the best vehicle for my feelings to be expressed and connect with people.
I specialize on abstract, geometric paintings, modern and contemporary artwork; I’m passionate about kinetic artwork. I’m proud of what I have accomplished as a professional, as a father, husband, and recently I’m not only proud, but also grateful that I’m doing something that brings me so much joy and pueshes me to the next level. For me, it’s been incredible how my life has changed since I started working as an artist again.
I cannot think of what special thing sets me apart from others, I believe there is great talent out there, and since we are all unique, everyone has its own interpretation of the world, likes, dislikes, and values. Now more than ever, we have realized that we live in diverse world and that we should give everyone the opportunity to shine and give the best of themselves. We must be inclusive, respect each other, embrace different cultures, personal beliefs, and preferences.
I hope that art brings us together, keeps us together, create joy in our life, and encourage everyone to follow their dreams.
What do you like and dislike about the city?
What I like the most about my city is that we live in a great and diverse family-oriented community. I have been able to connect and have a great relationship with my neighbors and with several people in my community. We support and look after each other.
I love the vibe of the city, the wide variety of thing to do, the culinary spectrum is amazing, and the cultural environment is quite distinctive. There are a few things I do not like, one of which is the traffic, but it makes sense having to deal with it when you live in one of the largest cities in the US.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.chescofineart.com
- Instagram: @paintingsbychesco
Image Credits
Francisco Hernandez
