Today we’d like to introduce you to Chuave Fernandez.
Hi Chuave , can you start by introducing yourself? We’d love to learn more about how you got to where you are today?
My name is Francisco Fernandez, although most people know me as Chuave or Chuavevo. I’m originally from Córdoba, Argentina, and I’m 31 years old. I started painting graffiti when I was around 13 or 14 years old in my hometown. I got deeply involved in the culture through skateboarding, but even as a child I was always fascinated by breakdancing, skate culture, and extreme sports. Through skateboarding, I began noticing the graffiti and murals around my city, and since I come from a family of artists, I felt naturally connected to this form of expression. That’s when I started painting under the name “Answer.”
For a long period of time, from around 2012 until November 2019, I stopped painting. During those years, I worked selling cars at a dealership because I needed to help support my family financially, especially my mother and my brother, since we were going through difficult economic times. Even though I wasn’t painting, that artistic side of me never disappeared.
In 2019, I decided to return to art with a completely different mindset. I came back with the intention of creating large-scale murals and expressing everything that had built up inside me during those years away from painting. From there, I developed a large part of my artistic career in Córdoba, participating in murals, community projects, and exhibitions.
In 2022, I came to Miami for the first time. After returning briefly to Argentina, I came back to the United States to pursue an Extraordinary Ability Artist Visa, which I was fortunate to obtain. That opportunity allowed me to begin developing my career in Miami and across the United States, collaborating with brands, organizations, galleries, and continuing to grow as an artist while staying true to my roots and message.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
I can honestly say it has not been an easy road. Being an independent artist requires a lot of courage, discipline, and especially the right attitude. Beyond creating art, you also have to learn how to manage your time, finances, contracts, legal processes, logistics, and many other responsibilities that people often don’t see behind the scenes. There are many economic ups and downs, and one of the biggest challenges is learning not to give up.
For someone like me, whose goal has always been to expand my art internationally, the journey has involved an enormous amount of work and persistence. One of the biggest milestones was obtaining my Extraordinary Ability Artist Visa, which opened the door for me to continue developing my career in the United States.
Since then, I’ve had the opportunity to participate in major international events such as Formula 1 activations, collaborate with brands like Levi’s and ERGO NEXT for Inter Miami CF, take part in events at the Miami Beach Convention Center such as Seatrade Cruise Global, and teach educational art classes at the Wynwood Walls Museum for major companies including Mastercard and others. I’ve also had the chance to work closely with organizations connected to the growth of Miami’s cultural scene.
All of those opportunities came with years of sacrifice, uncertainty, and constant work, but they also confirmed to me that consistency and passion can truly open doors.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
My specialty as an artist is being a visual artist. I originally started through graffiti, and over time my work evolved into large-scale murals, gallery exhibitions, educational workshops, and live painting performances.
I enjoy working in different formats because each one allows me to connect with people in a different way. Murals give me the opportunity to interact directly with public spaces and communities, while gallery work allows for a more intimate and emotional experience. Live painting is another important part of what I do because I love the energy of creating in front of an audience and turning the artistic process itself into an experience.
I’m also very passionate about community and social impact projects. For almost six years, I’ve been involved with a community soup kitchen in Argentina that provides food for around 100 people. Through my art, I’ve always tried to contribute to causes bigger than myself. Here in the United States, I’ve donated artwork and participated in charitable initiatives with organizations such as Legal Services of Greater Miami through “The Art of Giving” campaign, Elevate Foundation, and Family Resource Center South Florida. I’ve also created and donated murals for schools such as G-Star School of the Arts in West Palm Beach, participated in educational talks at schools such as Santa Clara Elementary School, and taken part in charity events like Art from the Heart organized by Family Resource Center South Florida to help raise funds for important causes.
We’d be interested to hear your thoughts on luck and what role, if any, you feel it’s played for you?
I strongly believe that luck is a friend of action. Because of that, I can’t say that my journey has been based purely on good luck, but rather on attitude, persistence, and optimism.
Of course, there are moments in life where being in the right place at the right time can open doors, but I believe those opportunities only become meaningful when you are prepared to take them. Many of the opportunities I’ve had — from obtaining my Extraordinary Ability Artist Visa to participating in international events and collaborations — came after years of constant work, sacrifice, and believing in my vision even during uncertain moments.
I also think that difficult moments can sometimes become hidden blessings. Some of the hardest periods of my life pushed me to reconnect with art in a deeper and more honest way. So in the end, I see luck more as the result of movement, consistency, and being willing to keep going even when things are not easy.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://Www.chuavevo.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/chuavevo
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/share/18qAdLRBZn/
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/francisco-fernandez-1b0928394
- Youtube: https://youtube.com/@chuavevo?si=NTeEkMy4ZcRIAdPe
