Ferlander Arguedas

“I am writing a book of my life and I hope at some point it will become a movie. My life has been a story to share since its inception. Thanks to art, I have managed to help my brothers move forward. Art has taken me around the world and art has given me everything; there have been stories of overcoming, sadness, magic and a lot of love.” Ferlander Arguedas was born in 1978, a born artist, and to talk about him is to reveal a wonderful story. “My mom died when I was 9 years old. I didn't know my dad, so when she died, I took full responsibility for the care of my siblings. I started out painting on pens and selling them to tourists visiting Costa Rica. I remember that I did my first work with a little box of temperas that I had bought. Observing a sweet red chili, with all its roughness and the details that characterized it, I took a trellis and painted it on it.” His talent was innate; and as proof of that, at the age of 13 he held his first exhibition in Switzerland. “My work has been a process of evolution; it has always had movement and energy. I have gone through all artistic styles and I am capable of making any type of art, but what I am most proud of is having developed my own style, a style that characterizes me and that is very “Ferlander”. It is born from my experiences and from my own knowledge of who I am and what my purpose is.” Ferlander speaks several languages, including Spanish, English, German and Italian. “Currently I am still painting, but now we have adapted all my works to utilitarian products, such as masks, bags, clothes and even skateboards. My wife, Lin, is in charge of all this, and no one else knows exactly what I want to convey.” My art contributes socially in many aspects. We make these products with talented artisans from Monteverde, thus providing them with a decent job opportunity. We also support different sports groups--a cycling group, a triathlon group, a runner group and a marathoner group. We make donations to different businesses as a social contribution and we have made murals around the town to beautify it. None of this for profit or with external resources; everything comes out of our pocket as a social contribution.” Currently Ferlander and Lin, his wife, have an art gallery in Monteverde, where they exhibit their wonderful works of art as well as have a store where they sell products such as pillowcases, masks, bags. During his career, Ferlander has participated in many exhibitions, both national and international. His art has been presented in countries such as France, Switzerland, Italy, Denmark, Colombia, the Dominican Republic, Canada, the United States and India. “The support of the clients allows us to continue with the creativity that characterizes us artisans so much. We do everything possible to deliver a unique, quality product made with love.”