He was born in Bayamón, Puerto Rico in 1980; he was raised and currently resides in the city of
Dorado. His interest in carving emerged at the early age of eleven when he began working with leather.
Simultaneously to his development as an artisan, Francisco showed interest in music and he became a
member of the Vega Alta Municipality String Band where he played the Puerto Rican Cuatro. This
instrument is recognized as the National Musical Instrument of Puerto Rico, being an integral
“foundation” of the Puerto Rican culture.
In 1997 he began to develop the technique of wooden saint carving following the advice, orientation,
and help of master craftsmen Jorge González, José Rosado, and Luis González. In 1998 he graduated
from a Magnet Music High School in Hato Rey, Puerto Rico.
Francisco has been woodcarving for nine years and has participated in artisan fairs throughout the
island, such as
- the Puerto Rico Tourism Company Artisan Fair,
San Juan;
- the Artisan Fair of Plaza Las Américas;
- the Artisan Fair of Plaza Río Hondo;
- the National Artisan Fair of Barranquitas;
- the Festival of Acabe del Café, Maricao;
- San Sebastian Street Festival, San Juan;
- National Encounter of Saint Wood Carvers, Orocovis
- the Bacardí Artisan Fair, Cataño, among others.
- He has also participated in Puerto Rican Festivals in Fort Lauderdale, Fl. and Chicago, Ill.
Francisco has carefully and diligently developed a unique style and technique yielding superior detail in
his wood carving art. Francisco Hernández has been certified as an artisan by Puerto Rico's Industrial
Development Company, Puerto Rican Culture Institute, and Puerto Rico's Tourism Department.
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