A Biographical
Sketch of
Mario
Fernandez
Think of everyday, every challenge, every triumph,
and indeed -every defeat... as feathers on your wings.
Then, one day, the sum of all your wisdom will let you fly...
Where only eagles dare!
T
he works and images of Mario Fernandez continue to fascinate the very large number of collectors that follow his inspiring and passionate creations. Fernandez aspires to elevate the spirit of those who come in contact with his works, and he succeeds. There is a unique quality, a blend of realism and magic, a touch of spiritualism and inspiration in every Fernandez.
Fernandez has published close to 200 limited editions of his paintings, sculptures and collectible works of art. Although his best known work is in realistic images of nature, Mario’s mastery continues to experiment with other subjects and techniques. The realistic, surrealistic, and nature art forms developed by Fernandez have achieved international prominence. Originals are in the collections of His Holiness Pope John Paul II, Her Royal Highness The Princess Anne of Great Britain, His Majesty, King Juan Carlos of Spain, and other notables such as Wayne Newton, Gloria Estefan, Janet Jackson, Roger Whitacker, Laurance Spelman Rockefeller*, Sigfried and Roy, Burt Reynolds, to name a few.
On June 3, 1990, Fernandez presented an original work, "The Spirit of the Summit" to President and Mrs. Gorbachev of the USSR, as a tribute to "a man that has changed the world!" At the conclusion of the Desert Storm conflict, he presented works to United States Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, General Colin Powell, General H. Norman Schwarzkopf and His Royal Highness Prince Khalid bin Sultan Abdul Azis of Saudi Arabia.
Through participation in exhibitions at the Leigh Yawkey Woodson Art Museum, his work has traveled to great museums including Beijing, China. Some of these are:
• Denver Museum of Natural History, Denver, Colorado.
• Houston Museum of Natural Science, Houston, Texas.
• San Bernadino County Museum, Redlands, California.
• California Academy of Sciences, San Francisco, California.
• University of Alaska Museum, Fairbanks.
• Anchorage Historical and Fine Arts Museum, Anchorage, Alaska.
• Alaska State Museum, Juneau, Alaska.
• Rochester Museum and Science Center, Rochester, New York.
• Missouri Botanical Garden, St.Louis, Missouri.
• Springfield Science Museum, Springfield, Massachusetts.
• Frye Art Museum, Seattle, Washington.
• Santa Barbara Museum of Natural History, Santa Barbara, California.
• Bernice Pauahi Bishop Museum, Honolulu, Hawaii.
• Beijing Natural History Museum, Beijing, China.
Mario's reputation is often illustrated through his representation of eagles. "The Courtship Flight" for example, was "Painting of the Year" in 1987. Mario states:
"Over the past few years I have been fortunate to have created a number of paintings and sculptures featuring the American Bald Eagle. These paintings were not only faithful portrayals of this magnificent bird, but an expression of my deep respect and admiration for the nation that it represents. They are an expression of my personal gratitude for the Freedom that our national symbol has come to characterize both throughout the world and in my own life."
Mario's masterful eagle works communicate undeniable commitment and passion. His love for eagles led to his service as Chairman of the Board for The Raptor Research and Rehabilitation Center at the University of Minnesota, a world renown institution. Some of his other accomplishments include monumental bronze sculptures and a little book entitled "If I Could Only Fly." A full size sculpture of his “Courtship Flight” painting greets visitors at an office tower in Cleveland, Ohio, and another monumental sculpture titled "The Guardian" is a majestic larger than life eagle stands watch at the Minnesota State Bank in South Saint Paul, Minnesota. The book, written and illustrated by Mario combines magnificent nature portraits with compelling verse that comes straight from the heart.
Mario desires to share the beauty and wonder of what he sees and experiences with all of us. Mario states:
"In everything we do and through every step we take, we are reminded of how intertwined our existence is with nature." His powerful art is intended to inspire and becomes a symbolof hope for a better world.
Mario has contributed, through his multi-dimensional talents, to causes that further educational, environmental, sports and other philanthropic endeavors. Such efforts are responsible for his design of many major awards including the latest PGA Player of the Year presented to Tiger Woods for the year 2000 championship, and the US Hockey Hall of Fame, Wayne Gretzky Award, presented to Mr. Gretzky in 1999, and to Gordie Howe in 2000. The United States Sport’s Academy conferred a prestigious Doctorate in Humanities Honoris Causa to Mario for countless personal works and presentations which lift the human spirit and exalt the human condition.
Mario continues to unselfishly dedicate his talent, time and resources to causes in the quest for excellence.
Mario was born in Havana, Cuba on February 25, 1946 and was imprisoned - for political dissent- by the Castro regime at the age of sixteen. In 1965 Mario found new freedom in the United States of America and started to develop his successful career. The work of Fernandez is destined to become a true American classic. Mario’s mind does not stop creating. His only regret is that there is not enough time to create all the things we would like to create. One day he hopes that his children may have the opportunity of taking some of the ideas and seeds he has planted and turn them into reality.
His early life in the United States revolved around architecture and product design. While working as an engineer for an electronics company (Mason Electric) in California, Mario had the exciting challenge of working on the design of a very demanding and difficult mechanism and shape for the lunar landing module controlstick (for the general contractor of the project, General Electric).
Many other projects kept his mind fully engaged. One of these was what became known as the Acoustic Chair designed through the design firm of Tony Carsello in Los Angeles. Hundreds of products followed and even as his art career received the bulk of his time and interest, the fascination with how things work and how we can improve life, never leaves him. He literally gets up in the middle of the night to write an idea down before he might forget it the next morning.
Another very unique development was the first non-pulsating heart and heart pump. Eventually the device was purchased from the original manufacturer (BioMedicus) by 3M and is now utilized for surgical interventions which will require in excess of 8 hours of on the table time. 3M has told Mario in many occasions that his device has saved thousands of people and that certainly is not a small achievement.
Mario’s works continue to appreciate in value and in the hearts of those who have made this unique and gentle man a part of their lives.
Not too long ago, Gladys and I had the privilege to visit Mr. H. Ross Perot at his office. We were there because he had asked us to bring one of my large eagles for him to see. We wanted to meet him anyway. At the end of the visit, the eagle stayed with him. He is an incredible individual, a great American Patriot and tremendous businessman.
As the years accumulate, little aches changed into bigger ones and health begins to deteriorate, However, I have been blessed with an incredible wife and children and every day that I am granted is a day to enjoy with my loved ones and the benevolent God who has given me so very much.
Thank you everyone, for giving me the opportunity to show you a little bit of what I treasure and believe in.
Thank you for your support,
