Francisco is a multi-artist and an educator, who was born in Arari (MA). He spent his childhood in Pindaré Mirim and has been living now for more than two decades n Alto Alegre do Pindaré, in Maranhão, where he works as a theater and literature teacher. Graduated in arts and humanities, he also explores painting, ceramics, poetry and music and has a special interest in regionalism and indigenous iconography.

Despite all his artistic experience, he had never ventured to work with graphite. Therefore, Aprendizagem (Apprenticeship), the title he chose for his panel shown here synthesizes the experience he gained while working in the urban art workshops. Using brush and spray techniques, he found his own way of portraying biodiversity and indigenous elements. The animal in the center of the panel symbolizes a recent movement for preserving the natural environment in the region and is, at the same time, a symbol of his learning experience.