Mario Fernandez was born in 1946 in Havana, Cuba. By the age of sixteen he was sent to jail for political dissent. By 1965 Fernandez decided to over to the United States of America. It was here where he began to develop into an artist. "Over the past few years I have been fortunate to have created a number of paintings and sculptures featuring the American Bald Eagle. These paintings were not only faithful portrayals of this magnificent bird, but an expression of my deep respect and admiration for the nation that it represents. They are an expression of my personal gratitude for the Freedom that our national symbol has come to characterize both throughout the world and in my own life."