I had a great chat with Cuban American artist Cesar Santos in his studio in Miami. Cesar was first exposed to art through his uncle in Cuba who is an abstract painter. Migrating to America at the age of 12, Cesar embarked on a long training in art culminating in Florence where he studied with John Michael Angel. Cesar’s work combines classical and modern styles and is collected all around the world. He has great insights and distinctive perspectives on art that are influenced by his many interests including boxing!
Here is what we talk about:
- Why art exists,
- His most moving picture to create,
- Biggest challenge as an artist,
- Originality and authenticity,
- Art training,
- Art world and art villages,
- Street art,
- Ultimate goals,
- Branding,
- Art business,
- Boxing,
- Business mistakes,
- Sacred cows,
- Galleries,
- Acting training,
- Creative heroes,
To find out more about Cesar and his work
http://www.santocesar.com/
Cesar’s instructional video
http://streamlineartvideo.com/cesar-santos-secrets-of-portrait-painting/
Thanks for listening!
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Theme music by The Argyle Pimps. Thanks lads.
Excellent, charming and educative interview. I believe that one of the most significant qualities that makes this artist´s work so unique is his ability to reveal the inner feelings, the human soul, of the individuals he paints.
I am a big fan of Cesar Santos’s work, and have viewed his many paintings on Facebook, also I have his instructional video which has given me great advice and insight in my own work as an artist.
Listening to this podcast is just how Caesar sounds and his views as an artist are genuine and unrestricted which is a breath of fresh air. His work is masterful then he throws in a little humor in some works ….i.e. …. Pink Panther portrait which garnered great debates on Facebook. I think it is wonderful how he expresses himself without necessarily adhering to the norm, each piece of work takes you on a new journey. I love what he is doing now with his pencil drawings just as much as his beautiful oils ….
I look forward to many years of exquisite work done by Cesar Santos. His directional video is fabulous and is filled with terrific pointers and advise, he also takes you through the whole experience including his thoughts as he paints, something no other art video has done and it is so relateable to other artists as you follow the process. He even shows how he improves his own images as he works along.
Thank you for doing this interview with Cesar, his thought process and the questions he answered were very Ceasar and also mimic what true artists strive for. His communication, his wanting to give pleasure to others as they view his works, and how he loves to share his gift, also he is candid with his answers regarding art galleries and payment as well as how he started out, and exactly what it takes to be a good artist. Which is many, many, many hours of pure work and practise. There is no easy two step process to being a great artist …. Just hard work, a love for what you do and an enjoyment which translates into the canvas and then to the viewer.
I wish Cesar great opportunities and great success getting into the Galleries of his choice and becoming as well known as the masters he has so captured. Cesar is a brilliant artist with many great years ahead of him.
Thank you Brenda. I’m glad you enjoyed the podcast. I agree Cesar is brilliant!