Carlos Gamez de Francisco is a Cuban-born artist whose work blends classical technique with imaginative storytelling to create vibrant, contemporary portraiture. Born in post-revolutionary Cuba in 1987, Carlos grew up immersed in the traditions of the Russian Academy, where discipline and rigor shaped his approach to art. By the age of fifteen, he was painting eight hours a day, honing the skill and dedication that continue to define his practice. “I feel very blessed to do what I love,” he says, a reflection of both his perseverance and passion.At twenty-one, Carlos emigrated to the United States with $650, investing nearly all of it in art supplies. Through relentless work, he built a career that now includes international recognition and prestigious awards, such as honors from the International Color Awards in Beverly Hills, the Tokyo International Photo Awards, and the Evansville Museum Guild Purchase Award. His work has been exhibited widely, including solo shows at 21c Museum, the Muhammad Ali Museum, and the Colonial Museum of Fine Arts in Havana.Carlos’s paintings often merge the grandeur of Renaissance portraiture with contemporary symbols, questioning who belongs within cultural narratives of power and beauty. Insects appear frequently as metaphors—flying to represent freedom, falling as chaos, and resting as balance. Over-decorated furniture, inspired by memories of childhood in Cuba, contrasts with surrealist imagery, while hybrid figures of animals and humans reveal his fascination with history, identity, and imagination.For Carlos, painting is not just a way of depicting history, but of reshaping it. “I am fascinated by altering history rather than depicting it accurately,” he explains. This perspective infuses his art with a sense of freedom, resilience, and wonder—an invitation for viewers to see the world anew.Read more about the artist in Carlos Gamez de Francisco’s Beautiful Resistance. Hear Carlos share his extraordinary journey—in his own words—on Radio Maine.