Born in La Havana, Cuba on October 10th 1966. Carlos started to show interest in the visual arts by drawing lines and wiggles on the pages of his father’s book collection at an early age. As he grew up, he would continue drawing on school notebooks or any piece of paper he would find
At the age of 14, Cotera found himself in San Jose, Costa Rica. At 16 he discovered porcelain and ceramics. Here for the first time Carlos picked up a brush and learned to use paint. He experimented quite a bit with this newfound treasure, eventually teaching others the many techniques. It was here in Costa Rica where he also experimented with oil paints for the first time. Carlos became an admirer of Salvador Dali’s work and decided to do a replica of one of his master paintings as the first project, and his first work on canvas.
Cotera arrived in Miami, Florida in 1985 and became involved in the jewelry business, graduating as a Jewelry Designer from the Gemological Institute of America.
In 2001 Carlos joined ArtSouth, a community of artists in Homestead, FL, where he finally pursued his lifelong dream of being a fulltime artist. While at ArtSouth he truly flourished and earned the respect and admiration of his peers and collectors. Carlos became involved in teaching classes in ceramics and drawing and has continued teaching throughout his professional career, adding watercolors and Acrylic/Oil to his curriculum. Cotera has influenced people of all ages, ethnicities and backgrounds, and has worked with socially troubled children and children of social minority groups; helping them to achieve artistic goals and pursue their creative development.
Cotera left ArtSouth in 2004 and opened a commercial gallery, studio and a fine custom framing business.
Although Carlos was strongly influenced by surrealism, he has not limited himself exclusively to this genre. This has allowed him to create an array of different styles and compositions in the marvelous world of art.
Cotera currently lives in North Carolina and he is very excited to continue his journey and creating new works, each one better than the one before. Carlos feels he’s been blessed to be able to be what he was meant to be, and is grateful to life for its gifts and the possibilities ahead.
Cotera has exhibited extensively throughout Florida, North Carolina and South Carolina, where his artwork has received many awards. His work is in many public and private collections, and his work can be seen at The Gallery on Greene in Key West, Florida, The Hawkins ST. Gallery in Charlotte, North Carolina, and The Easel Gallery in North Wilkesboro, North Carolina where he is represented.
Carlos is currently involved in Mint Hill Arts, fine arts and craft center in Mint Hill, NC as the First Vice President and is proud to help in its growth and development
You may contact Cotera at:
704-804-4004
