Ramón Santiago was born September 4, 1943 in Rochester, New York. He began painting in 1961 while attending Mt. San Antonio College in California. Two years later he returned to Rochester to study art at Rochester Institute of Technology. He served with the United States Marine Corps from 1965-68. After his discharge from the service, Santiago’s professional art career began.

Santiago was a private man who shied away from attention. An artist for over thirty years, he is characterized as a “painter’s painter.” His mastery of pen, pencil, pastel and brush exploded with exciting new images. His style is fresh and original with dramatic fantasy. Santiago created elegant images of beautiful women and odd human-like creatures masterfully. Through his color, line and form he delivers fascinating and enigmatic visions.

Like a magician creates illusions, Santiago created his own magical vision through his art. Both the artist and the magician found true inspiration in their imagination where reality and dream unite to create a world both familiar and exotic.

Audiences have been drawn to Santiago’s unmistakable vision, a figurative style with dramatic fantasy. Elegant portrayals of beautiful women, odd human-like creatures, symbolism, color and recurrent themes create his haunting and enigmatic images. Influenced by Chagall, Dali, Picasso, Pascin and Modigliani, Santiago worked in mixed media and oil on canvas.