Erminio Teles

Erminio Telles was born and raised in New Mexico and currently resides in Wilson, NC.  He is a U.S. Navy veteran and worked for over 50 years as a career Foreign Service officer and government contractor.  During that time, he specialized in telecommunications and intelligence collection operations. He retired from government contracting and moved to Wilson in November 2019. 

Telles has lived and worked in 11 foreign countries, mostly in Latin America and speaks English, Spanish and Portuguese.  

Telles has three daughters and five grandchildren. He married fellow WAAA artist, Elizabeth (Ely) Cotrina, in June 2023.  Initially, he only accompanied Ely to support her with her WAAA membership and with her artistic journey, but did not join the WAAA at that time. “I have always had artistic talents; however, I never had the time nor the desire to pursue art as something more than just a hobby,” says Telles.  He finally decided to join WAAA in December 2024 and states, “Ely and I love the comradery and friendships we have made thus far as members of WAAA.”

Telles mostly works in pencil, doing sketch portraits although he also enjoys working in watercolor, acrylic and oil. His other works consist of landscapes or animals in addition to enjoying woodworking projects where he makes unique, decorative night lamps.  

Contact: etelles66@hotmail.com