We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Nelson Host Santiago. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Nelson Host below.
Nelson Host, appreciate you joining us today. What’s been the most meaningful project you’ve worked on?
What’s meaningful to me is bringing awareness to the subject matter I’m painting. My focus now is the relationship between the United States and Puerto Rico.
Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.
The strange thing is I grew up in a household with 6 siblings and my parents. I grew up in the South Bronx which wasn’t safe. And my parents did the best they could under the circumstances. But with that said most times I felt alone and my family wasn’t really into art. But for me it was everything. I remember being 4 years old and drawing superheroes from comic books. Soon after my dad brought home a paint set he found at work and gave it to me. I was hooked from there on. Other than regular art classes in school I never took any art classes or went to an art school.
As I got older I started getting into hip-hop and hanging with graffiti writers. One of which we just recently lost, Tracy 168. That’s when I started to get my style of artwork. I loved painting letters and characters. Soon after I merged the two worlds. The supplies I use (Acrylics, Spray paint, Paint markers, etc) are what I use to paint today.
The relationship between Puerto Rico and the United States is what I’m most proud of. Most don’t know the history of whether it was 1898 when the US landed in Puerto Rico. The Jones Act, sterilizations of the women on the Island, the Ponce massacre, Law 53 the banning of the Puerto Rican flag, etc. But I’m not trying to change anyone’s mind. I paint what I paint and have my say but I let Joe public decide and if they want to do their own research on the subject, that’s great.
For you, what’s the most rewarding aspect of being a creative?
What’s most rewarding about being an artist is for years I was told it was a pipe dream. Give it up. You’re not going to make any money from being an artist. Focus on getting a real job, etc. For me, it never was about money or becoming famous. It was the love first and what it gave me. It was a gift God gave to me so who am I to waste it.
How can we best help foster a strong, supportive environment for artists and creatives?
I would say it doesn’t take much to support an artist. It really doesn’t. If you can’t buy an artist’s original work, just share their info with others. You can’t go to their art event? Just share it on your social media sites. And like their pics. It takes about 5 minutes to do that.
Contact Info:
- Website: nelsonhostsantiago.com
- Instagram: nelson_host_santiago
- Facebook: NelsonSantiago21
- Twitter: NelsonHOST