Fernando Martín Diez-Cabeza was born in Canary Islands, Spain
Spanish-portrait artist, Fernando Martín Diez Cabeza, became a sensation at the age of 14 when a portrait of his mother caught the eye of a newspaper that printed it, naming him a child prodigy.
Soon after he received calls requesting portrait commissions, making him at age 14 a professional portrait artist.
At 16 he was awarded a national drawing contest award impressing a T.V. producer in Madrid who flew him there to appear on his TV show. He then graduated with honors receiving a Fine Arts degree.
Soon he earned a grant to study in Rome where the fashion icon, Valentino, saw his work and invited him to illustrate his collections.
He then arrived in New York and started illustrating collections for other fashion stars, like Calvin Klein and Ralph Lauren.
After a big parenthesis without painting, in 2002 he returned to painting and started producing portraits of friends in New York City.
Fernando at the age of 14.
Influenced by the fashion industry, he paid strong attention to the actual styling on the subjects.
We had the opportunity to interview Fernando as he prepares to unveil his latest portrait in NYC on Nov 4th.
Q&A WITH FERNANDO MARTÍN DIEZ CABEZA:
You were already doing portraits at the age of 14, how did you learn the technique?
I learned the technique by practicing, painting movie stars and icons.
Because you were immersed in painting in such a young age, how did you do in school? What kids your age thought about your paintings? And how you juggled homework with this hobby?
I was a good student and I was able to combine painting with school very well, because I saw painting as an enjoyment. Painting gave me structure and helped me with procrastination. I knew that as soon as I was done with homework I could start painting. Other kids were not really aware of my art. Especially when I started doing portrait and getting paid it became more of an adult activity.
Portrait of Father Michael Suvak The only portrait in public display, which you’ll be able to see at the Russian Orthodox Cathedral in New York
What 3 tips would you give parents that have a child with creative inclinations?
They should celebrate it.
They should support it.
They should encourage it.
Would you like to meet Fernando in person?
If you will be in NYC on November 4th you can! He will host the exclusive unveiling of his new piece called ‘The Giant of Macao,” the portrait of Alessandro Borsone, an Italian actor who lives and works in Milan and is a member of the Macao movement. The cost is FREE and you can see more details and RSVP HERE.
Would you like to learn more about child prodigies? Check out this great presentation by James Ware:
Anllelic Lozada “Angie” is a proud P.A.N.K (professional aunt with no kids), a Personal Marketing Strategist in NYC and Los Tweens & Teens “Tia-in-Charge,” based in New York City. Anllelic wants you to best your best life so you can positively influence your tween and teen. Subscribe to her weekly e-newsletter in Spanish in marketingparatucarrera.com/Vendete, where she shares personal marketing strategies to help you “Comunicar lo genial que eres.”