Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Linda P. Santiago. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.
Linda, appreciate you joining us today. Has your work ever been misunderstood or mischaracterized?
As I became working on my style which was probably more around 2021, I remember creating about 20-30 Paintings, sketches… That also helped me work on my style. I noticed a pattern on my wok. Noticing that it was very expressive I didn’t had fear of expressing my mind, those demons. And throughout those year i started getting noticed in my school making murals, big paintings, commissions. But something that I got a lot was comments like “You should make happy art”, “Why are doing creepy art, that’s not good”. My goal was mainly to express myself, express dreams and nightmares, my personal struggles. I had a lot of downs to the point of contemplating my life multiple times.
Something that I learned along this years is that if don’t start making the change, putting more discipline on you, not working on putting your work out there and making collaboration, nothing is going to change not only that but “Staying Silent”. Voicing and advocating for yourself is the key. “Staying silent” was what made me misunderstood, and also what ended up consuming me. Yes! My work and I had been misunderstood.
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.
My name is Linda P. Santiago. I am a multidisciplinary Hispanic artist based in Milwaukee, deeply committed to exploring the complexities of emotion, identity, and personal experience through my work. My art serves as a visual and emotional narrative—a place where I express my dreams, nightmares, and inner thoughts while challenging the stigma surrounding mental health.
I work across multiple mediums, including sculpture, painting, writing, and mixed media, allowing me to convey layered stories and reach viewers in different ways. Each piece I create is rooted in authenticity and emotional truth, often drawing from moments of vulnerability and resilience.
Resilience is a recurring theme in both my life and my art. It is what drives me to move beyond my comfort zone and continue evolving creatively. I strive to collaborate closely with clients to bring their visions to life, blending their ideas with my own expressive style to create something meaningful and impactful.
One metaphor I often reflect on is: *“I am like a goldfish in a tank.”* At first glance, this may seem limiting—but it represents how I’ve learned to think beyond boundaries. The tank symbolizes constraints, yet my creativity has grown wings, allowing me to transcend those walls and imagine new possibilities. My work invites others to do the same: to find beauty and strength even in confinement, and to dream beyond their circumstances.
Ultimately, my goal is not only to create art but to build connection—through storytelling, emotion, and the courageous act of being seen.
What do you find most rewarding about being a creative?
The most rewarding aspect of being an artist is witnessing how my work resonates with others—when someone sees a piece and feels understood, as if it’s speaking directly for them. I often say, “my work speaks more than I do,” because art allows me to express what words sometimes cannot. I find deep fulfillment in inspiring others, creating spaces for connection, reflection, and emotional release through my creative practice.
Is there mission driving your creative journey?
my goal is not only to create art but to build connection—through storytelling, emotion, and the courageous act of being seen.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/linda_p_santiago/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/p/Linda-P-Santiago-100016543099136/
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@lindapsantiago
