Fernando de Jesus Oliveira (known as Ferjo) was born in Bahia, Brazil in 1946. A master of perspective, Ferjo is one of the most dynamic and exciting artists on the international stage. His surreal and transcendental way with a brush has earned him accolades such as the distinguished Crescent Scholarship at the Pennsylvania Academy of Fine Arts and the New York Council for the Arts Award of Excellence in Portraiture and Interiors. Ferjo's signature style continues to captivate the imagination. He studied at the prestigious Pennsylvania Academy of Fine Arts from 1974 to 1979, focusing on landscape and portraiture. During this time, Ferjo began experimenting with Cubist-style landscapes before moving into realist portraiture. One standout piece from this period is a mock group portrait of the faculty at the Academy (1978–1979), inspired by Da Vinci’s “Last Supper.” Recognized with awards from the Academy in both 1978 and 1979, Ferjo’s mastery of realist techniques became widely known. After leaving the Academy, he explored a broad range of styles from Realism to Surrealism. Ferjo’s compositions are a fusion of classical and contemporary, blending the old masters with new, dreamlike elements. His works often include personal symbols—bubbles, pencils, strawberries, fish, and eggshells—floating in surreal, colorful landscapes. His paintings pay homage to artists like Bosch, Vermeer, Van Gogh, Renoir, Picasso, Dali, Monet, Matisse, and more, all while reinventing perspective, space, and time in his own imaginative way. Whimsical, vibrant, and technically refined, Ferjo's work combines Cubism, Abstract Expressionism, Realism, and Surrealism. His pieces are collected globally, and he is praised for creating imaginative contradictions—a dream meeting reality. “A teacher at my school told me I had something that nobody had—this ability to paint portraits and landscapes,” Ferjo shares. “That’s why I paint ‘dream and reality.’ There’s almost a classical theme, and at the same time, it’s a dream when you look at it.”Raised in São Paulo, Brazil, Ferjo's talent was recognized early. In 1974, he was invited to attend the Pennsylvania Academy of Fine Arts after being commissioned to paint a portrait of an American family. While he values his education, Ferjo believes artistic talent is innate: “No school can make a musician or an artist… I have a gift given by God.” After graduation, Ferjo toured Europe and solidified his unique style in the 1980s. He also developed a fascination with Mona Lisa, painting her in over 130 variations ranging from swimsuit-clad modern interpretations to traditional Brazilian portraits, all imbued with emotion and his vivid Surrealist-Realist style. After a stint producing portraits for the Brazilian Board of Tourism, Ferjo moved permanently to the U.S., collaborating with publisher Katherina Perry in 1994. Though portraiture is a strength, he resisted being boxed in. His portfolio spans cars, wildlife, vintage objects, and interiors—each infused with imagination. Influenced by Dali, Picasso, and other masters, Ferjo often places their works on the walls within his own paintings, merging homage with innovation. “Those are the artists that inspire me, and I pay tribute to them,” he says. “I put their paint in my paint.”His creative process starts with pencil sketches, followed by acrylics and finishing touches in oil. “Acrylic is easy to adjust,” Ferjo notes. “Oil takes time, but it adds richness.” In addition to canvas, Ferjo has explored painting on wine bottles and mannequins, turning discarded items into art. Publisher Katherina Perry praises his talent: “There’s a touch of magic. The way he blends color brings life and joy.”Ferjo paints first for himself: “When I do the painting, I don’t think about anybody else; I think about myself and give it the best I can.” But the public’s positive reaction only fuels his passion. Despite market fluctuations, he remains prolific, recently exhibiting at three shows in one month, with plans for Shanghai on the horizon. Now a father of three, Ferjo was also featured in a publication celebrating influential Brazilians. “I never stopped painting,” he says. “There is no such thing as a time to finish. My paint is as unique as falling footsteps. People tell me I have a magic touch.”