Carmona studied at the University of Fine Arts in Havana. Like many of his fellow artists, Carmona left Cuba to explore the artistic freedom available outside his homeland. Since 1991, he has lived and painted in Puerto Rico. While his early works were large and expressionistic, his more mature works have evolved into a new style; one Carmona has labeled "Tropical Realism." More intimate in size and subject, this new style is represented by tighter brush strokes and a specific iconography. In 1996, the artist was honored with a solo exhibition in his adopted homeland at the Museo de las Americas in San Juan, Puerto Rico. That same year, Carmona was also invited to participate in the Latin American masters group exhibition, Latin View Points, at the Nassau County Museum of Art, Long Island, New York. His most recent exhibitions include Salta pa'lante y no mires pa'tras at the Praxis Art International, New York and De cierta manera, yo at Brewster Arts Ltd., New York and the Museo de las Americas, Puerto Rico.

In this 2001 interview with curator Cynthia MacMullin the artist speaks of his interest in the history of art.