Agustin Gonzalez

About the Artist

I was born in Cardenas Matanzas, Cuba 1963. I came from a family of five brothers, and two sisters. Things were not easy while growing-up in Cuba, but mom and dad always tried their best to provide for the family. My dad was a fisherman and my mom took care of the kids.

When I was about 5 years old, my brother that is 2 years older than I both attended the best art school in Cardenas for about four years. I learned how to draw, sketch, & sculpture. As years passed, I learned how to paint with oil on canvas as well as pastels on paper.

As I got into my teen years, I found the need to help provide for my family and I sought out ways to make money, which only led to trouble. When I was 16 years old, I got the opportunity of a lifetime and that was to come to the United States of America.

When I got to the U.S. , I was adopted by a Cuban and Chilean couple who sent me to high school. At Sleepy Hollow High School in New York, I continued my passion for art while studying to graduate. I graduated in 1984 and received my diploma with an opportunity to pursue my artistic career, but my mind was not in the right place.

I began working in the restaurant business where I met my lovely wife and later had two beautiful children. Knowing how much I loved nature and vibrant colors, I occasionally would pick-up a brush and start painting, but never pursued it further.

In 1998, I decided to bring my favorite brother that I grew up with to the U.S.
In Cuba, he had learned and mastered oil painting, so I decided to bring him to the U.S. to see if he could inspire me once again. Unfortunately, I was wrong. I spent money buying him everything he needed to get started and he did one painting, but after that he stopped and decided this was not for him to paint here in the U.S.

As a result, my wife told me I should just do it myself since the investment had already been made and she had always told me for years that I should put my God given talent to work. Well, I decided to listen to her and I began painting on canvas and making would crafts which I love to do.

I sold my restaurant and I am now a full-time artist. I’ve been married for 20 years and I never lost my love for art, I just wasn’t ready. My paintings and artwork reflect what I’ve always had a love for; and that is nature and colors.

Agustin Gonzales Cuban artist and wife Shirley

Copyright © 2006 - 2007 Art by Agustin Gonzalez "Shillibob"
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