ARTIST

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Fernando Coellar was born in Cuenca, Ecuador on October 17, 1962.  He came to the United States 10 years ago and lives in the Los Angeles area, working as artistic designer of Merv Griffin Productions.  As a young boy, Fernando was fascinated with fairy tale books and illustrations from cartoons.  Mostly self-taught as an artist, Fernando attended universities in Ecuador to become an art teacher for children.  He did so as director and professor of the educational department at the School of Modern Art in Cuenca.  He also became a puppeteer, magician and mask-maker.  Fernando founded and directed a theatrical group in Cuenca and describes his paintings as "very theatrical."  He says he loves "volume" so many of the people in his paintings are "kind of fat."  He takes his inspiration from Latin artists such as Diego Rivera.  His own style mixes North and South American people and motifs, and he uses a lot of glazes to make his paintings look older than they are.  "I see life as a play.  That's why most of my paintings are little stages."