Luminous; Mysterious Portraits By Artist Roseta Santiago

Artist Roseta Santiago with her Apache beaded bags. Photo by Bonnie J. Gordon/ladailypost.com

‘Journey of the Heart’ oil on linen painting created by Roseta Santiago. Courtesy photo

By BONNIE J. GORDON
Los Alamos Daily Post
bjgordon@ladailypost.com

Santa Fe oil painter Roseta Santiago is nothing if not dedicated.

“I get up at 5:30 in the morning and I paint,” Santiago said. “It’s all I ever wanted to do.”

Known for her light-filled portraits, mostly of Native Americans, Santiago’s work can be seen in prestigious juried shows like Prix de West at the Cowboy Hall of Fame and the Autry Museum Show in Los Angeles this year. Closer to home, Santiago shows at Parsons Gallery in Taos and is soon to be artist in residence at Sherwood’s Spirit of the West gallery at 128 W. Palace in Santa Fe.

Twenty years ago Santiago followed her dream of moving to Santa Fe to paint.

“I bought a little house and locked the door,” she said. “I taught myself to paint.”
Santiago had a successful career in design behind her when she came to Santa Fe, designing interiors of nightclubs and other public spaces in Miami and Atlanta, among other projects. One of her most memorable assignments was painting murals on the ceilings of 23 Bass Pro Shops. High on a scaffold, Santiago used gallons of paint in troughs to create giant scenes that amazed the employees as they watched the magic happen.

Raised in Washington, D.C., the daughter of a career navy man of Pilipino and Spanish origins and his red haired wife from Pennsylvania, Santiago grew up in a mix of strong discipline and crowds of mysterious visitors, many speaking languages she didn’t understand. Her father was Harry Truman’s personal chef, even crossing the country with him in a private car on the Santa Fe Railroad, and according to the President, causing him to gain five pounds.

Santiago was quiet and withdrawn until age 20, when she rebelled and left home for New York City. She took with her, both the ability to be disciplined and focused and a lifelong love of the mysterious.

Santiago has a relentless energy and a strong belief in herself and her goals. This is clear in the story she tells of being inspired to become a fine artist by viewing the famous Waterhouse painting “The Lady of Shalott” at the Tate Gallery.

“I said to myself, I can do that,” she remembered.

After spending hours in front of her easel, Santiago had an established reputation painting still lifes of Native American pottery and artifacts, when she announced to the astonished owners of a gallery showing her work that she was going to do a figurative show.

“I went from pots to pot makers,” Santiago said. “I never thought I could paint a person. Now I know I can.”

That’s quite an understatement. Her paintings of people have brought her devoted collectors and scores of admirers.

“It’s fascinating when someone lets you see them,” she said, “when they let you in.”

Her fascination with Native American culture was one of the things that drew Santiago to Santa Fe. She was a collector of artifacts and pottery before she began painting Native American models.

“The mysteries and magic of Native American culture intrigue me,” she said.

Santiago establishes relationships with her models that can last years. She views her models as professionals and pays them twice, once when they sit for her and once when the painting is sold.

What does she look for in a model?

“I look for pain,” she said.

Her deeply human portraits capture both the pain and joy of individual people navigating an ancient culture and a modern American life.

When she’s not painting, Santiago is supporting and mentoring other artists.

“If a complete stranger called me and wanted to talk about painting, I’d talk to them for hours,” she said.

Success allows Santiago to paint full time, but money is nowhere near the point.

“Painting is the journey,” she said.

Roseta Santiago can be reached through her current website at RosetaSantiago.com (a new website is in the works) and the galleries where she shows. She’s also on Instagram. You can even call her at 505.670.1525 and if you can lure her from her easel, she might talk to you about the mystery and magic of painting.

‘A Young Man’s Fancy’ oil on linen painting created by Roseta Santiago. Courtesy photo

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