by Rae Chavez
Roseta Santiago, a celebrated artist based in Santa Fe, has spent over two decades capturing the spirit of the Southwest through her evocative paintings. Her work goes beyond mere representation, delving into the essence of her subjects, whether they are people, objects, or the vibrant landscapes that define the region. Santiago's journey as an artist is deeply intertwined with her surroundings and the stories of those she encounters. In this behind-the-scenes look, we explore her unique creative process, how she creates her inspiration from photos and transforms them with her paintbrush. And from the serendipitous connections that inspire her to the rituals and routines that shape her art. Through her words, we gain insight into the world that fuels her artistry and the evolving themes that continue to drive her passion for painting.
Your work often captures the essence of your subjects, their surroundings, and their lives. How do you go about forming these deep connections, and how does that influence your art?
Well, I moved to Santa Fe because I was searching for what people thought or talked about the magic here and the enchantment. So, I find that I'm out a lot. I'm out and about. I run into a lot of people, and I kind of have an instinct about who's interesting. It's not always visual, but it's some sort of feeling I have. It might be the way they're walking, the way they're dressed, just their body language, or maybe overhearing a conversation.
As an artist who has been working in Santa Fe since 2000, how has the local Southwestern art scene influenced your work and your development as an artist?
Well, when I moved here in 2000, I fell in love with the pottery first, and I taught myself to paint by using the pottery as my subject matter. So when I mastered that, I actually, started challenging myself to paint people. And when I moved here, my senses went crazy because it was so different from the East coast where I'm from. I lived in New York, I lived in Atlanta. And, Washington, D.C., where I was born. So, coming out here, everything was different. The visuals, the desert, the people, the patterns. And then I learned about the history of the patterns and the colors. And everything is so organic here. And I loved all of that.
How did you make your connection at Rio Bravo Trading Company, and do you always use their props for all of your portraits?
I walked into Rio Bravo Trading Company because they had every single source I could need. And when I went in there, I bought my first pitch covered water basket. And, Randy, the proprietor asked me, what are you going to do with that? I said, I'm going to paint it. He said, oh, really? Thinking, okay, you and 15,000 other people painting here, and we've just laughed about that ever since then. But I do paint every day, and I borrow as many props as possible. He has a lot of cowboy props. So, yes, I use a lot of his props, but I also go many shows and I meet people who have other props and clothing and, all the paraphernalia that you can imagine. And I own a lot of it. It's still part of my growing collection.
Your ability to capture both the character and significance of a person or object has been praised. How do you prepare for a new painting, and do you have any rituals or processes you follow to ensure this depth of representation?
Well, when I meet a person, I kind of register a profile. I guess I could say I profile people, but I try to understand what the attraction is to them, and it isn't ever because they're beautiful in that sense. But they might be beautiful inside. And for some reason I resonate with that. And that's important to me. they could be contemporary or traditional, but there's something special about everybody I paint, and as I paint them, I continue to paint them because I learn more about them, and that develops into stories and goes on from there.
Finally, what future projects or themes are you excited to explore next, and how do you see your work evolving in the coming years?
Well, in this current show, I would say I took a deep dive into how I feel and what I'm painting, and how I incorporate the props and the people into my work. So in one painting, I tried to capture the process of including those kinds of things. and so I'm always challenging myself. I like to reflect on my first paintings, which were still-life paintings and my insecurity about painting people, and kind of review what it was from the very beginning that fascinated me about everything; the props, the people, the Southwest. And so that's what I'm going to continue to do, along with some traveling and maybe exploring other cultures.
As Roseta Santiago continues to push the boundaries of her work, her dedication to exploring the depth of her subjects remains unwavering. Whether drawing inspiration from the rich tapestry of the Southwest or looking ahead to new cultural influences, Santiago's paintings will undoubtedly continue to resonate with a profound sense of place and purpose. Her commitment to capturing the unseen beauty in people and objects is a testament to her artistic vision and the deep connections she forms with her surroundings. We eagerly anticipate the future projects that will emerge from this ever-evolving artist, knowing that each new piece will be imbued with the same passion and reverence that has defined her career.
