FRANCISCO "PACO" FERRO

"THE LUTE PLAYER"

OIL ON CANVAS, SIGNED ON VERSO

CALIFORNIA, C.1960

50 X 36 INCHES

Francisco "Paco" Ferro

1909-1982

Francisco F. Ferro was born in Granada, Spain and began his painting career at five by daubing big, fat red roses on the walls of his home.

As an adult he moved to America and eventually he settled in Carmel, California. He was known to his intimates as "Paco" and had a direct and charming style. He was quoted as saying, "I was born to paint. You know a painter is born to paint. You can't do anything but paint."  

After studying law, Ferro spent three years in Paris to study with Fernand Leger, after those years he never pursued a career in law.

Ferro worked in a dilapidated studio above Cannery Row and was very active in the mid-century Carmel art scene and well known for his Picasso inspired style of painting. "I am fascinated by birds. How they drift from one place to another in order to survive. Since the time of Egyptians, they have been symbolic."

In a profile from an exhibition of Carmel artists he talked about his life in Paris, in Montparnasse, the cafes, La Coupole, La Dome, the Rotonde, with his comrades, other artists and intellectuals.

Ferro had successes in Europe, one man shows in public squares, in Montparnasse, Ramblas in Barcelona, Madrid’s Rastro, and then New York’s Washington Square.

Ferro lived in Carmel and was a member of the Carmel Art Association until his death in 1982.