Cesar Santos

I conceive pictures that represent my deepest and most irrational perceptions. Through this I aspire to show images that transmit the impression of paintings of the past, but are imbued with contemporary, fresh concepts as well as own my personal philosophy.
My artistic energy drives me to arrange elusive figures and objects in conceptual designs, yet rendering them in a believable and convincing way. I bring both worlds - theoretical and naturalistic - into communion: taking objects out of their natural context to create a new environment for them, a new reality or world for us.
My tools are imagination and technique; they are the essence and the basis of my work. Oils and linen are my favorite materials: they are malleable, translucent, durable and organic. Unconventional ideas and images reach a unified framework in complex compositions; the technique used to achieve this form is “neo-academic”, applying physical texture through thick paint, which is juxtaposed against smooth translucent areas. Timeless and linear techniques, current yet individual approaches to depict today’s fleeting images.
The most challenging aspect of my creation is to establish a dual system of communication, a dialog in which form and color are equal participants, united by the eye of the active viewer. In a suggestive and theatrical way I seek to raise questions, to entice one to probe the imagery that I present and attempt to decipher it’s meaning.

Cesar Santos,
April 2010

Born in Cuba in 1982, Cesar Santos immigrated to the United States in 1995 where he began to develop his artistic interests. Santos' studies in the visual arts began in Miami at the Design and Architecture Senior High. Later he studied at Miami Dade College followed by the New World School of the Arts where he received his Associates Degree in Fine Arts. Unsatisfied with the modernist approach of these schools, Santos left Miami and traveled to Italy in search of a sound training in the art of painting. Settling in Florence, Santos began training at the Angel Academy of Art under Michael John Angel, student of Pietro Annigoni. Here he was introduced to the techniques and methods of the Renaissance, 18th century, and the French ateliers of 19th century. He has completed numerous public commissions, including "The Camera" unveiled in January as the poster image for the Miami International Film Festival, and "Danza" the poster image for the Miami International Ballet Festival. Santos has also established himself as a successful portrait painter completing numerous commissions. His work is held in private and public collections in Europe, Latin America and North America. Recently Santos lived and worked in Stockholm, Sweden, where he actively taught and gave workshops in the traditional manner of drawing and painting at the The Swedish Academy for Realist Art an ARC Approved™ Atelier. Santos is part of the Living Masters’ Gallery at the Art Renewal Center in Glenham, NY. He is currently featured in the Arte Libre Museum in Madrid, Spain where he will show in November. In 2010 is the 100-year celebration of Pietro Annigoni's birth. Cesar Santos will show in The Villa Bardini, which contains three museums, including the Annigoni Museum. This is a very prestigious place in which to show, a living artist rarely gets the chance to show in a Florentine museum. Santos is represented by Greenhouse Gallery in San Antonio, Texas, Cavalier Gallery, in Greenwich, Conn./ Nantucket, Mass. and Cremata Gallery in Miami. Santos will continue to pursue a personal vision that he calls "idealized-realism," provoking thought and "giving people space to think and experience illusion."

2010 Arteaméricas, Miami Beach Convention Center, Miami Beach, FL - Cremata Gallery, Miami, FL
2010 New Impressions, Greenhouse Gallery, San Antonio, TX (solo)
2010 Art & Antique Show, Palm Beach FL - Cavalier Gallery, Greenwich, CT (solo)

2009 Abstractomicina, Cremata Gallery, Miami, FL
2009 Salon International 2009, Greenhouse Gallery of Fine Art, San Antonio, TX (solo)
2009 Arteaméricas, The Latin American Art Fair, Miami Beach Convention Center, Miami Beach, FL

2008 Arteaméricas, The Latin American Art Fair, Miami Beach Convention Center, Miami Beach, FL
2008 La Fabbrica Dei Sogni, Museum Casa del Mantegna, Mantova, Italy (solo)
2008 Farewell, Cernuda Arte, Coral Gables, FL (solo)

2007 International Caribbean Art Fair, Puck Building, New York, NY (solo)
2007 Images of Women in Cuban Art, Cernuda Arte, Coral Gables, FL
2007 ArtDC, Washington Convention Center, Washington, DC
2007 Circa, Puerto Rico Convention Center, San Juan, Puerto Rico
2007 Arteamericas, Miami Beach Convention Center, Miami Beach, FL
2007 Important Cuban Artworks, Cernuda Arte, Coral Gables, FL
2007 Art Miami, Miami Beach Convention Center, Miami Beach, FL
2007 Ballerina, Tower Theater, Miami, FL (solo)

2006 Art Off the Main, New York, NY (solo)
2006 La Barbacoa, Cernuda Arte, Coral Gables, FL
2006 Spring Show, Curated by Jered Woznicki, Galleria di San Niccolo, Florence, Italy
2006 Florencimiento, Organized by Lina Martinez, Uffizzi Center, Florence, Italy

2005 Annual Exhibition, curator Master Michael John Angel, Angel Academy of Art, Florence, Italy

2004 Raising Stars, New World School of the Arts, Miami, FL

Private Commissions

• Dr. Modesto A.Maidique—presidential portrait, Frost Art Museum, Miami, Fl. 2009
• "Film Festival". Poster for the Miami International Film Festival, sponsored by Miami Dade College, Miami, FL. 2008
• "El Lago de los Cisnes" Billboard and front cover for the Cuban Classical Ballet of Miami, Director Pedro P. Peña, Season 2008
• "Flying High". Painting for Eduardo Padron, President of the Miami Dade College, Miami, Fl. 2007
• "Danza Imposible". Poster for Miami International Ballet Festival, sponsored by Pedro P. Peña, Miami, FL. 2007
• "Maderamen" Logo for Maderamen.org sponsored by Teresa Maria Rojas, Miami, Fl. 2007
• "Annie". Portrait sponsored by Orlando Borges, Coral Gables, Fl. 2007
• "Nelcie". Portrait sponsored by Nelcie Parada, Miami, FL. 2007
• "Chinos cubanos". Portrait sponsored by Jorge R. Pupo, Miami, FL. 2007
• "Victoria and Isabel". Portrait sponsored by Dr. Emilio Suarez, Miami, FL. 2006

Bibliography

• Important Cuban Artworks, Volume six, by Cernuda Arte, 2008;
• Miami International Film Festival, Celebrating 25 Years, February28-March 9,2008;
• La Fabrica dei Sogni; Grandi Artisti alle Ceramiche San Giorgio di Albisola,Mantova, Casa del Mantegna, Jan 19 th - Feb 17th, 2008

Publications

• Fine Art Connoiseur, (April 2010),"Enchantress"-New Impressions.
• American Art Collector, (March 2010), "Partigiano Savonese"
• Lopez, Emilio J. (2007) Diario Las Americas, Miami, FL, January 7, 2007
• Connor, Olga (2007) Sorpresas en el XII Festival Internacional de Ballet de Miami. El Nuevo Herald, Miami, FL, August 30, 2007, Aplausos.
• Connor, Olga (2004) Rebambaramba: de fiesta la poesia. El Nuevo Herald, Miami, FL, Ap