Caleb

Fernandez

C. Jes Caleb Fernandez on Roof. @jesqb on Instagram

Caleb Fernandez is a multimedia artist whose practice is inspired by the idea that creation is the ultimate act of love and life. From Flatbush, Brooklyn, Fernandez emphasizes the importance of community in their art, and especially hopes to expose communities suffering through economic disparity who may not have the privilege of viewing art on a regular basis.

They has exhibited work at the Brooklyn Children’s Museum and had art auctioned off at the Museum of Contemporary African Diasporan Art in Brooklyn New York. They were awarded with the St. Gaudens Medal in 2024 from the School Art League at the Metropolitan Museum of Art the Mt. Gretna School of Art scholarship provided by FIT. Their practice also takes inspiration from their love of things like musical theater and animation, admiring the way they are able to convey deeper messages and ideas in a whimsical, vibrant nature.

Outside of fine art, Fernandez plays bass in their band ‘Marinette’, another artistic outlet that they’ve already begun to use to help serve their community by playing at benefit shows to raise money for causes they believe in. Currently working towards their BFA at the Fashion Institute of Technology, Fernandez has been able to build upon their painting and drawing skills, and had the opportunity to Complete the Mt. Gretna School of Art residency. Their love for humanity takes a forefront in everything they do, and they hope to continue using their artistic skill to build their community. 

Statement

I enjoy creating large scale oil paintings and drawings about my life. I often paint loved ones or abstract environments based on energy and color. However, I also incorporate plein air painting and live model drawing within my practice as much as I can to help inform my work and keep my skills sharp.
I begin my work by compiling large amounts of reference, such as images of other artists' works, my own digital collages, a physical setup for first-hand observation. I primarily work oil on canvas, or graphite on paper, but I also use printmaking and wood/metal working in my artistic practice. 
I create art mostly to document the world around me in a way that feels natural and whimsical. I am inspired by the vibrant nature of cartoons and I like to paint the world as if I were looking through the eyes of my childhood self. My work evokes feelings of love, pain and everything human.