Maria Fernanda Valecillos

Biography

I was born in Mérida, Venezuela, in the Andes—a vibrant university town surrounded by nature. Growing up, weekends meant exploring the mountains, climbing trees, and picking blackberries while my father cooked and read by the fire. My mother, a musician with many creative passions, filled our home with music that inspired my own artistic spirit.

I began my studies in Graphic Design in Venezuela and later completed my B.A. at the Academy of Art University in San Francisco. Years later, I deepened my connection to sound through the Sound, Music, and Voice as Healing program at the California Institute of Integral Studies and continued my training at Vox Mundi School, studying vocal meditation and Dhrupad—the classical music of India.

While studying design, I discovered expressive calligraphy through my mentor, Monica Dengo, who opened the door to abstract mark-making as an art form. This practice shifted my focus from digital design to painting and hands-on creation. I’ve since continued studying with Monica in Italy and San Francisco, developing a personal style that merges gesture, rhythm, and sound.

Now based in San Francisco, I work as an expressive calligrapher, painter, musician, and sound practitioner—integrating movement, voice, and form into my creative process.