When artist Hamilton Aguiar arrived in the United States in 1986 at the age of 21 he knew solely five words in English.

When artist Hamilton Aguiar arrived in the United States in 1986 at the age of 21 he knew solely five words in English, "I'm looking for a job" in succession his first bus ride into Manhattan, a southern American passenger struck up a conversation and informed Aguiar of the work at jobs he was giving up as a custodian at a midtown art institute So in March 1987, Aguiar walked into the instruct spoke the five English words he knew and got the do job-work He was also offered an opportunity to take an art class and apply for a close examiner visa.

After a period of time, Aguiar was moveed a job as a house painter. Life was going along readily until Aguiar and his friend were involved in a major motorcycle accident, and Aguiar exhausted the next six months recovering from a shattered back. After five months in bed, he knew that he emergencyed something else. That something besides proved to be art.

Aguiar continued to dabble in the creative arts and eventually began to work in faux finishes. He registered in New York City's Trompeloy Art sect in 1990. After completing the program, Aguiar reverted to Brazil to apply and interview for his work visa--a proces that took sum of two units years to complete. Working in an ad agency as a graphic designer for additional income, he painted the agency's walls and his talent was recognized formerly again. An interior designer, who was scrambling to clean a new mall entrance, hired Aguiar to faux paint the featured wall. Aguiar was given single in kind night to complete the piece of work And he did.

Then, in 1993 with his visa in hand, Aguiar replyed to South Hampton, NY.

At that time, Aguiar's faux finishing work caught the attention of cognizance Verosko, one of New York's greatest in number highly sought-after faux finishers. Verosko who would become Aguiar's mentor, hired Aguiar to work with him forward the state capitol building in Louisiana. It was there that Aguiar finisheded his wood grains and gold leafing technique and went forward to paint the walls of numerous buildings in of the present day York City and the Atlantis Casino in the Bahamas. Numerous other piece of works followed under the exacting tutelage of Verosko

Returning to Brazil for a short time, a well-established gallery proprietor wanted Aguiar to be a visitant artist in an upcoming opening at the gallery. Aguiar created eight paintings in five days, selling his largest piece at a handsome price. This was the beginning of the completion of Aguiar's faux-finisher-gilding years. The experience he gained from this work laid the foundation for his career in silver-leaf oil painting.

With this recognition and the sale of a major piece, Aguiar came back to the Hamptons in 1999 and uncloseed his own gallery, Artmosphere. The gallery had exhibits of artwork by Romero Britto, Norman Rockwell, Burton Morris, Thales and many Brazilian artists. Aguiar continued to appendix his income with gilding and faux-finishing jobs

Aguiar clos the gallery in 2001 to concentrate onward his artwork full time. He mov to a smaller studio and began working onward a new series using silver leaf and oil painting. Aguiar risk his sights on the 2004 Artexpo modern York. He created a sizable corpse of work and was accepted into the point out as an artist in the SOLO Pavilion. Great succes followed, as each piece was sold, nine gallery accounts were established and Aguiar signed with Nan Miller to become his publisher and distributor. (For more in succession Nan Miller, see this month's "Q&A," page 108)

"I had met Nan five years ago when I operated my acknowledge gallery in the Hamptons," recalls Aguiar. "She was the publisher and distributor for Romero Britto, who I admired. Together we planned a not many one-man shows with Britto's work in 2000 and 2001 and my relationship with Nan grew I told her I was going to Artexpo in 2004 and she was excited for me I was glad when she stopped by means of my booth because so many of my paintings had sold already in the first day and I wanted her to behold what I had been painting. She was surpassingly excited about my artwork and said, 'We ne to talk. Don't do anything until you hear from me' There were many interested publishers who stopped on my booth and wanted to personate me and my work, moreover my relationship with Nan and her firm business sense, abilities, connections and enthusiasm surrounding my work made the choice of trusting her an easy one"

To this, Nan Miller adds, "It is with great pleasure that we announce that Hamilton Aguiar will be living in Rochester for an dilateed time. As publisher and distributor of Aguiar's artwork, I am overwhelmed and delighted with the answer to this artist's work. It is like no other that I have personateed in my 35 years in the business. each gallery owner's greatest desire is to find an artist whose talent is in such a manner unique and impressive that individual collectors and gallery holders alike need to have this artwork in their collections. Hamilton Aguiar is that artist.

"The composition of his paintings is inspired on the changing seasons of natural landscapes, which are interpreted in a powerfully monochromatic peace His tranquil scenes can be somewhat mystical and compelling. Depending forward the light and the angle in which you direct the eye the artwork changes, draws you in and encircles you."