We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Jennie Santos. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with jennie below.

Jennie, thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. Let’s jump back to the first dollar you earned as a creative? What can you share with us about how it happened?

When I was 14 years old, I had already been taking drawing and painting classes.
I started sitting at the balcony at home to paint because the oils are toxic. The thing is that the parking lot was right next and everyone that lived at that building saw me paint.
A cool lady from another building said to me when I was half done: “that’s mine”, and kept walking.
I laughed and kept at my hobby.
Next week again…she walked by and told me that I should figure out the price because she’s “buying it.”
As a young teenager was a source of pride and it made me feel confident in developing my art, made me want to show off my paintings, gave me an understanding of the value of work from another point of view different to what I was used to. At that time I was used to working for good grades, or working to develop a skill, not work for money.

I sold it for $400 pesos (1985’s dominican peso value) 😂

The client’s name: Yvonne Resek.
My art teacher then: Migdalia Chávez.

Jennie Santos
@artmangoart

Great, appreciate you sharing that with us. Before we ask you to share more of your insights, can you take a moment to introduce yourself and how you got to where you are today to our readers.

The main reason why I decided to open my own business was motherhood. I was there for my daughter, and now that she’s an adult, I would not have any problem working on site doing graphic design or assisting at a museum, like I did before.

I work doing painting parties, illustrating, I get commissions to paint portraits, and always freelance doing graphic design.
In my social interactions with others, I’m always thinking of solutions, brainstorming.

My last freelance was the re-design of a logo that was created from a stock image,

I have mixed feelings about business owners not hiring a good designer when creating a brand as they open their business. it’s a big mistake that a lot of smart small business owners make.
It is a smart solution that saves money at the moment, but a problem when you do well with your business. I end up getting a good dose of those challenging logo re-design projects because I can take on all the aspects of the project without the need of hiring an illustrator, nor a photographer,

One can say Jennie is: a 360 artist, because of her knowledge.

A young alumni from my alma matter was afraid of throwing painting parties, because he didn’t want to be casted as “that type of artist”.
I get it.
One thing that I confessed to him is that I realized, after being in the industry for a while, that one gets more commissions.
By showing off your art skills to so many people who have a genuine interest and appreciation for art. They’ll remember you and call you back for other art related things.
I’ve also met great people from all walks of life. Inspiring, or famous, or influential, full of opportunity to keep you doing what you love, making a living that way.
I am open to do anything as long as the end result has something to do with art.
Right now I join casts in film. I try getting into that industry looking to showcase the artist. I want to be casted playing an artist, or go to a morning TV show doing my paintings.

What can society do to ensure an environment that’s helpful to artists and creatives?

• Buy art at galleries and directly from artists.

• Stop the free exhibits, people should be paying a basic fee. Gallerists and artists (like museums) need to feed themselves.
Yes, I believe that to enter a gallery to see an exhibit is a rewarding experience, just like it is to go watch a film at a movie theater. A concert charges an entrance.

Are there any resources you wish you knew about earlier in your creative journey?

Studio/living spaces and grants… I’m looking into it.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.artmangoart.com/
• Instagram: @artmangoart
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/share/18vV56X6GY/?mibextid=wwXIfr
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jennie-santos-gregory-b452321a?utm_source=share&utm_campaign=share_via&utm_content=profile&utm_medium=ios_app
• Youtube: https://youtube.com/@artmango5776?si=Mu-5Uz5WS_Se9z9o
• Yelp: https://yelp.to/oup466EB5J
• Other: Some graphic design work:
  https://jenniesantos.wixsite.com/capicua

Image Credits

Arnaldo Vargas