Puerto Rican artist Jose Santiago is an abstract painter. He uses his medium as an expression of, his individual freedom leaving behind bold brushstrokes of atmospheric and earthy tones. Creating a symbolic gesture that encompasses the human experience.

Here he talks about mental health, his inspiration and how his ideas evolve.

SAH: You grew up in Puerto Rico — how did you end up in Switzerland?

JS: I ended up in Switzerland because of Love. After living in New York, Spain, and Puerto Rico - I met my ex-wife (Who was travelling for work at the time) in a cosy little bar in Old San Juan, Puerto Rico. I fell in love and moved to Lausanne, where I've been living for 13 years.

SAH: Where do you get your inspiration from? Can you talk about your ideas and how they evolve?

JS: I'm a big fan of Art Brut. I discovered the Museum of Art Brut in Lausanne, which encompasses artwork by people living on the fringe of society. People with mental health issues like myself (In my case Bipolarism). The raw, uneducated power of their works made me gain confidence in myself. I've always doodled and painted since I was young. But discovering the beauty and power of Art Brut made me confident in my uneducated skills.

Jose Santiago. Eye Stream.

SAH: Is it possible for you to separate your work from your life?

JS: Right now. Where I stand in life, it's not possible. I've always leaned toward the arts, first as a poet, second as an accomplished Singer-Songwriter who played in venues from Puerto Rico, New York and Spain. With age, my artistic muse has changed, and painting is now my main form of expression.

Artwork by Jose Santiago.

SAH: What kind of impact do you hope that your work has?

JS: I hope my art inspires people who are not too sure of themselves. Souls who do the artwork because it makes them stronger. Because they want to express themselves. Because it helps them with the daily mundanity of life. So much can be expressed with a brush. And so many "accidents" express what is truly hidden within ourselves. Also, I want to express love. Love for everything and everyone.

Artwork by Jose Santiago.

SAH: What does freedom mean when it comes to art?

JS: Do what comes to you naturally. Do not care what others think, but care about those you care about what you think....those who love you...those who wish you happiness and wellbeing.  Experiment, buy tools and paints and canvases that get you inspired and go for it. If you want to improve by following an expert, then go for it. If you want to throw everything against the wall and see what happens, then go for it too. Don't apologize, try not to create enemies, unburden yourself and move on.

 SAH: Do you remember the earliest memory of when you wanted to do what you do today?

JS: Since the day I was born. I remember wanting to do art and wanting to drink chocolate milk.

Artwork by Jose Santiago.

SAH: What is your main mode for selling original work now?

JS: Friends and friends of friends. And also online. I just got started.

SAH: What are you watching, listening to or following that you would recommend?

JS: I'm at that age where everything is a memory. So I'm always listening to RadioHead, Fleet Foxes, The National, good old fashioned Salsa like Hector Lavoe and La Fania, and muis my wonderful Puertorican trios like Los Panchos. Also, every art documentary available  (Please watch Cutie and the Boxer). Plus Horror. Sci-Fi, super melodramatic films.

SAH: What advice would you give somebody who has just started their artistic career?

JS: Paint. Draw. Doodle. Sculpt. And don't be afraid to share your work. Take the good advice and apply it. Take the negative and unhelpful and try to understand the unhappiness of those who try to bring you down. You are better than that. You are growing every single second - doesn't matter what anyone says.