
Carlos Gamez de Francisco
Born: 1987
Hometown: Fort Myers
Based in: Fort Myers
Born: 1987
Hometown: Fort Myers
Based in: Fort Myers
Carlos Gamez de Francisco (b.1987, Holguin, Cuba) lives and works in Fort Myers, FL. He has received numerous awards including the Fine Art Photographer of the Year at Moscow International Photo Awards, the Honorable Mention at International Color Awards and Tokio International Photo Awards; the Museum Guild Purchase Award at Evansville Museum; the SAIC Distinguished Scholarship at The Art Institute of Chicago; the Key to the City of Louisville by Mayor Greg Fischer; and the “Dreammakers” Artist in Residence at Muhammad Ali Center. He has had solo shows at 21c Museum, Bentonville, AR; Kenise Barnes Fine Art, Larchmont, NY, Hardcore Art Contemporary Space, Miami, FL; Muhammad Ali Museum, Louisville, KY; and the Colonial Museum of Fine Arts, Havana. Gamez de Francisco is represented in the collections of the 21c Museum, Louisville, KY; the Fashion Resource Center at The Art Institute of Chicago, Chicago, IL; the Cubaocho Museum & Performing Arts Center, Miami, FL; and the Louisville Metro Hall, Louisville, KY.
What inspires you?
Life
Describe your creative process.
I love to work on series of thirty to fifty pieces. All the pieces have a theme and technique in common. I begin using the inspiration I gain through audiobooks I listen to while I paint. While listening to everything from How to Talk to Anyone to The Little Prince, I paint the grisaille first before adding layers of vibrant colors. I work through the details at the end.
What are 3 words that best describe your work?
Figurative Contemporary Art
Who are some artists that have influenced your work?
Picasso, Velazquez, Cosme Proenza, Takashi Murakami
What is the most important tool when creating your work?
Passion
What is the best piece of advice you have been given?
I heard a quote by Picasso that changed my life at a young age. He said “Inspiration exists, but it has to find you working.” I work six days a week, often times working 15 hours a day.
Where do you go for inspiration?
My preferences in the field of art are very broad, ranging from the Renaissance painters and Russian classics to Japanese prints, expressionism (especially the German in the early twentieth century), and graphic art in general, Toulouse-Lautrec and the aesthetics of the trade magazines.
Awards
The Best in Show, Chauvet Art, Nashville, TN
2024
1st Prize Winner, Fine Art Photography Awards
2023
Fischer Award, Louisville Visual Art, Louisville, KY
2021
Gold Award, 2020 Moscow International Photo Awards
2020
Fine Art Photographer of the Year
2020
Museum Guild Purchase Award, Evansville Museum
2017
SAIC Distinguished Scholarship, Art Institute of Chicago
2015
Key to the City of Louisville by Mayor Greg Fischer
2012
“Dreammakers” Artist in Residence. Muhammad Ali Center
2009
Exhibitions
Flora & Fauna, Miller Gallery, Cincinnati, OH
United States of America, 2023
Forbidden Garden, The Grogan Gallery, Houston, TX
United States of America, 2022
Femme Fuerte, Monica Graham Fine Art, Carmel, CA
United States of America, 2022
Figurative Finery, CV Art and Frame, Zionsville, IN
United States of America, 2022
Gilded Age Fashion, Karen Anderer Fine Art, Lancaster, PA
United States of America, 2022
New Works, Portland Art Gallery, Portland, ME
United States of America, 2022