About the artist

Carlos Manuel Clemente — known artistically as Cerone or Cerone84 — is a Puerto Rican visual artist born in the South Bronx and currently based in Orange County, New York. A self-taught creator, Carlos began painting in 2017. An idea became a hobby — and it quickly became his life’s obsession.

His artistic roots stretch back to childhood, sketching characters like “Winky” and “Tippy” from old art school contests (see photos). In the 1980s, growing up in the South Bronx, he was part of graffiti crews, breakdancing, and absorbing the language of street art that still echoes in his style today.

Cerone works primarily in acrylics, but his practice spans woodwork, polymer clay, digital illustration, glass, and fabric. His current style blends cubism with graphic art, grounded in themes of Puerto Rican identity, Taino heritage, and the beauty of the island and its people.

He draws from a broad spectrum of influences — from Caravaggio and Bernini to Monet and Van Gogh — and from movements such as expressionism, realism, and surrealism. His work aims to uplift culture, preserve history, and create a visual identity that reflects pride and resilience.

A veteran of the United States Air Force, Carlos served during Operations Desert Shield and Desert Storm and is a proud disabled veteran. He now devotes himself fully to his art, taking commissions and selling original works. Through it all, his mission remains: to create work that speaks to his roots, honors his story, and contributes meaningfully to Puerto Rican culture.