I started drawing cartoons when I was 10 years old in
Bogota, Colombia, my hometown. My parents
considered that I had inherited my grandfather’s painting
skills.
When I was 16, I enrolled in formal drawing classes
(artistic and architectural) for five years at Escuela de
Bellas Artes at Universidad Nacional in Bogota. About
that time, I also started taking English classes with a
private teacher. I traveled to the U.S. and married my
wife, Alicia Pinilla in Dade County, FL. We had four
children and have seven grandchildren. Years later, I
got my bachelor’s and master’s degrees in Business
Administration and two years of specialization in Auditing
Automated Systems.
Two years ago, my youngest daughter, the Rev. Lizette,
gave me my first set of painting supplies with her
suggestion to restart my drawing. Right away, I started
doing oil painting classes with renowned Colombian
artist Mario Mutis, in St. Lucie County.
A United Nations retiree and the president of Hispanics
In Action, Inc. a non-profit organization, I am a pro bono
bilingual language teacher, cultural entertainer and
promoter and a freelance writer. I am a member of the
Treasure Coast Community Singers Choir, St. Lucie
County Cultural Affairs, Art in Public Places Program, St.
Lucie County Historical Society, bilingual Lector of the
Word at Holy Family Catholic Church and Master
Gardener.
I teach English to Mariner Sands employees and
Spanish to residents.
This is my first art display.
Bogota, Colombia, my hometown. My parents
considered that I had inherited my grandfather’s painting
skills.
When I was 16, I enrolled in formal drawing classes
(artistic and architectural) for five years at Escuela de
Bellas Artes at Universidad Nacional in Bogota. About
that time, I also started taking English classes with a
private teacher. I traveled to the U.S. and married my
wife, Alicia Pinilla in Dade County, FL. We had four
children and have seven grandchildren. Years later, I
got my bachelor’s and master’s degrees in Business
Administration and two years of specialization in Auditing
Automated Systems.
Two years ago, my youngest daughter, the Rev. Lizette,
gave me my first set of painting supplies with her
suggestion to restart my drawing. Right away, I started
doing oil painting classes with renowned Colombian
artist Mario Mutis, in St. Lucie County.
A United Nations retiree and the president of Hispanics
In Action, Inc. a non-profit organization, I am a pro bono
bilingual language teacher, cultural entertainer and
promoter and a freelance writer. I am a member of the
Treasure Coast Community Singers Choir, St. Lucie
County Cultural Affairs, Art in Public Places Program, St.
Lucie County Historical Society, bilingual Lector of the
Word at Holy Family Catholic Church and Master
Gardener.
I teach English to Mariner Sands employees and
Spanish to residents.
This is my first art display.
| OIL PAINTINGS BY NELSON MERCHAN-CELY |
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