Meet the artist

Santiago Perez is a contemporary painter & visual artist based in South Florida, United States, depicting the beauty, drama, and tragedy of life using primarily narrative figurative art. The human connection allows us all to reflect on our actions and behaviors with our fellow brothers and sisters, animals, and the environment. As a child of Cuban exiles, his perspective on life is attributed to the upbringing and strong work ethic of his parents. Using this as a base and a keen eye for detail, As figurative and portrait painter, Santiago strives to depict emotion and awareness using realism in different mediums. Above all else, his works aim to tell a story of inspiration and hope.  

The richness and translucency of colors achieved through multi-layered glazing techniques is what gives his works captivating and life-like qualities. Santiago first learned these techniques in airbrush mediums at the age of 18 when he first started airbrushing murals on cars, motorcycles, and corporate walls with a vast array of paint types. His artworks have been featured in magazines, books, and countless websites and have won awards in national competitions.

At middle age, Santiago had a paradigm shift after coming back from visiting the Prado museum in Madrid. He realized God had given him the gift of art and there was a reason for that. Since then Santiago has worked feverishly towards bringing forth his message of hope as a reflection of his innermost desire to be influential with his art and make a tangible impact.

Discover a vibrant world of expressive and colorful figurative artworks that transcend the boundaries of tradition. As a contemporary artist, I specialize in crafting narrative and symbolic pieces that serve as mirrors to provoke self-reflection, stir emotions, and inspire greatness. Through a unique blend of classical representational techniques and a contemporary art approach, I juxtapose the stark image context of the modern world with the warmth of a human narrative.

Engage with my art as a fusion of the material contemporary world and the spiritual realms within us. This immersive experience invites you to reflect on the depth of our shared humanity and experiences. The primary goal is to foster empathy, ignite compassion, and uplift your spirit, creating a powerful connection between the artwork and the viewer.

Looking towards the future, my mission is to leave a lasting legacy through a collection of publicly available artworks. Accessible to a mass audience across ages, these pieces are designed to encourage peace, love, and empathy. Each stroke of color and carefully crafted image provides a glimmer of hope for those in need of an emotional lift. As an artist, I aspire to be remembered as a servant of God, utilizing the gifts bestowed upon me for the purpose of spreading love and creating a timeless beacon of hope for all.

• Selected Exhibitions

2016 – 10th Biennial National Art Exhibition at Visual Arts Center, Punta Gorda, FL. Juried by Joseph McGurl

2015 – Exhibited at Boca Raton Museum Artist Guild group show

2015 – Represented by Linda White Gallery, Delray Beach, FL.

2014 – Exhibited at Boca Raton Museum Artist Guild group show

2014 - Honorable Mention in the Boca Raton Museum – Artist’s Guild April 2014 Exhibition

2013 – Inside/OUT Group show at ArtServe in Ft. Lauderdale, FL.

• Art Fairs and Festival

2014 – Boca Raton Art Festival

2014 – Coconut Grove Art Festival @ St. Stephen’s Art Show

2013 – Exhibited at Red Dot Art Fair Miami during Art Basel Miami week

• Other Works

2003 - 2009 Freelance commission work in several mediums

1990- 2006 Freelance Airbrush artist in the custom motorcycle and automotive industry

• Publications

2013 – Published in Art & Beyond Magazine’s Summer/Fall issue.

2013 – Published in Art & Beyond Magazine’s Sept/Oct Issue.

2005 – Extreme Motorcycle Art – Spencer Drate

• Education

2023 – Oil Painting Methods and Materials workshop at MIFA

2016 – Casey Baugh charcoal drawing workshop.

2015 – 2017 Enrolled in traditional drawing and painting academic studies at MIFA (Miami International Fine Arts), formerly known as Charoscuro Studio of Art, Miami

2015 – Cesar Santos portrait painting workshop

2015 – Jesus Villa Real portrait painting workshop

2012 – Steven Assael portrait painting workshop

2013 - David Gray portrait painting workshop

2009 - Artists as Entrepreneurs program from Artserve a Broward county culture division

• Memberships

Present – Plein Air Palm Beach

Past - Portrait Society of America

Past - Oil Painters of America