Worst band/video ever. In the history of ever !

AWFUL VIDEO ON ALL LEVELS POSSIBLE YET I CAN'T SEEM TO TURN OFF!!! 

Beautiful is boring. "Very good" is boring.

In a new world with too much stimulation, things that get noticed are the extremes.  Here is an example of "extremely bad". This is one of the worst song/videos I have ever witnessed...but I will not forget it anytime soon. 

Everyone has some form of A.D.D. clobbered with overloads of stimulation and information every hour. The only thing that holds our attention are things that are interesting or get a gut reaction. I understand too well the frustration of hard working unsung creative types taking weeks working on projects that gets little or no attention in contrast to someone else making something quick and inferior, but shocking and controversial. As a technical artist , It kills me to say this it but making beautiful, technical pretty things is boring. After a while our minds need other activity. Beautiful is uninteresting in the same way passionate newlyweds get bored when the fresh smell wears off when no other spices are added. What stays interesting are the fringes and oddities that get a reaction.

If we put our judgements down for a minute, there is a lesson to be learned from those we call "crap" wack" "bad" yet who are getting exposure. This is about standing out, not watering down your craft.

Making something so offensively bad has better odds of attention rather than "so good". Look at their video hit umbers. Their chance of getting a record deal are far greater than a talented singer/ songwriter who offends no one.

-Santiago-

And now the clip. 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-TH5ibABP4U&feature=related&f

Going back to your roots.

Back in the day artworks - "Die-O-Betes" (Dangaioh betes) -2006

TRUE CREATIVITY comes from holding completely unrelated thoughts togther in our minds long enough to form very unique ideas.

-Old school (1980's) Japanese Anime
-Puerto Rican sugar cane farm workers (Macheteros/Jibaros)

-layering some social political message behind it.
-modern futuristic abstracts with vintage realism

I will explain more later
Here is a video for context

vintage 1930s-40s footage

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y0_TvFgI-Qw

To put some visual perspective of the robot, here is footage of the "Dangaioh" from 1987. One of my all time favorites robot "Mecha" designs. Terrible story and dialog but the artwork was 20 years ahead of it's time.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mAYRlweacuE#t=0m50s

Back in the day artworks -"Fkd-up" -2005

-Reposted as a response from someone,s "dark and scary" comment.

The same human spirit has the largest capacity for greatness containing the loftiest exuberant ecstactic joys yet also housing the darkest tormented volcanically explosive fear filled realms. No one is free from it as we all have that same capacity. However others are a bit more blessed to be connected to such a land of suffering so that you, the viewer, may reap the benefits of their magical journey without leaving the comforts of your armchair. 

Thanks 

-Santiago-

Back in the day artworks -"Dior" -2001

This was created in 2001. It was a long 8 year "blue" period in my life where created such a small output of work. It sucked to feel trapped knowing there was a deep well of creativity inside, yet feeling stuck in an artistic ditch. And also didn't help to be obsessed with perfectionism and over planning, killing any motivation to start which is another form of fear. 

Or perhaps the timing wasn't right. Throughout history many look at young creative achievers like MIchelangelo who painted the entire Sistine Chapel in his early 20s and feel like such a loser in comparison. Others miserably observe celebrities' lives by contrasting themselves. DON'T DO IT. COMPARISON can be deadly to the creative soul. It's dooming to the potential careers of many undiscovered talented. It only inspires artistic career withdrawal and abandonment. 
Wow, I wasted so much freakin time I will never get back comparing myself to others and trying to make the "perfect art piece. It was such a deadly "all or nothing" attitude and most times I ended up choosing the nothing option. That must explain why I've been on a creative rampage lately. 

I have come to learn that things happen in their own timing. All are not meant to shine brightly at a young age. Similar to school late bloomers, some begin to catch their stride later in life. Look at what happens to some who get success too early,.Grown up former child stars are a mess. Athletic superstars miserably reflect on the good old days. Early success is not for everyone. Anyone can still have success, however you define that word, later in life. 

Paul Gauguin the famous painter, was a stockbroker and almost 40 when decided to quit his job, leave France and become one of art history's most important painters. 

Andrea Bocelli the singer, was a lawyer, who did not release his first album until he was 34. 

Grandma Moses painting career began in her seventies after abandoning a career in embroidery because of arthritis. 

Colonel Sanders (Kentucky Fried Chicken) began his franchise in his sixties and can also be deemed a late in life financial success 

Pin-Up star Bettie Page started modeling at the "old age" of 26. 

Charles Bukowski published his first novel at age 49 after a lengthy career working odd jobs and then at a post office. 

Actor Danny Aiello (Do the right thng) began his career late in life. 

Japanese dancer and choreographer Kazuo Ohno did not undertake formal dance lessons until his late twenties. He was 43 years old when he performed his first recital at Kanda Kyoritsu Hall in Tokyo in 1949. 

Fame and fortune are by-products of doing things you are deeply passionate about everyday. Even if you are "beyond the prime age". 
It is never EVER too late to start. 

-Santiago-

Back in the day artworks -"Greetings from Tokyo" - 2005

Here is an attempt to emulate vintage postcards from around the world showcasing pleasant attractions and scenery in each letter of the country or city used to lure tourists. The only difference here is that the scenery is fire, screams, death and stomping destruction caused by Godzilla.battling Gamera, Mothra, and terrorizing the masses in Tokyo. 

Since I am really into retro 1960's hotties, I tried to sexy it up a bit adding my "Santiago" version of the two tiny twins (the Shobijin) that sang to Mothra. The movie was released in 1966 so I wanted the old hair styles from back then only rendered in a newer organic flow style you see in my more recent "Vintage Futuristic" works. 


Although I love the art, I failed at graphically communicating what I aimed for. 
It was intended to be satirical, however it's difficult to see what is going on. The lettering should of filled the WHOLE image but is too thin to see what's taking place. 
The over all mood does not work as well. Bright sunny cheery colors emulating the old feeling of postcards should of been used. Not sure why the hell I chose blue. I lost the original file leaving me with a tiny jpeg. :( 

Through my stubborn arrogance, not wanting to look like anyone else, I thought I knew better. Sometimes you have to follow recipes and stay close to already established blueprints instead of reinventing the wheel ....if you want to be clearly understood by your target audience. 

Ah well, it was still fun to make. 

At times in our craft, we can lose are self in creation process, which is a beautiful thing, however don't expect everyone to understand where you are coming from. Everyone has different modes of communication, learning and understanding. This is the big problem I have with post modern conceptual art. I am all for the process of expression, but that rarely means i know what the hell you are talking about and be paid millions for it, unless you are only talking to yourself. If that is the case, then it's great therapy. But not all therapy sessions are enjoyable to witness. I don't care if you are an artist, writer, architect, programmer, or a teacher. KNOW YOUR AUDIENCE and the language they speak if you hope to get to them in the same way Mothra understood the singing twins. 

"MOSSULAAAAAA -YAAAAAA .... MOSSULAAAAAA" 
:) 

Back in the day artworks -Portrait 3 -1998

Another one of my portraits during my melancholic "dark ages" when this digital "painting" was new to me. My 3rd attempt at marrying my Anime roots with my traditional oil painting style. This technique attempted was to render everything with flat shapes, planes, and solid colors only. No gradients or shading allowed. Tools were a "hockey puck" mouse and "Lasso" tool in photoshop 3.0. 
People tend to think I'm some photoshop guru when all I use are 3 or 4 tools and paintbrushes. 95% of the program is never used and the newer versions are becoming bloat ware. 

I have been tinkering with Pixelmator lately. Like painting with Photoshop but with less fat.

Back in the day artworks - "La Conquistadora" - 2006

This was done weeks after the popular "Sol de Jayuya" pinup I created. There is a lot I can write about this piece but I have a busy day. Feel free to interpret the shattering ground beneath, the lifeless red invisible tree behind her, the geography of the striped block in relation to the rest of the land mass , her body paint, her role.

Back in the day artworks -"Womb" - 2002

Another emotionally cosmic painting excursion.

Back in the day artworks - "Heart River" original version- 2006

2006 was the year when I started really making consistent art. The decade prior I was lost, puttering around, no direction, no ambition, artistically confused. To have all this creative energy and not put it down on paper, canvas, computer sucked so bad. Sometimes was get stuck in a rut and seem to need some inspirational tow truck to pull us out. 

I was hired by a yoga/ spiritual teacher to create an illustration for his business. He wanted the artwork to look like the work of the great Alex Grey. This was my first intro to his work which now has a huge impact on the subject matter of art and what the role of an artist should be. 

I had to render the skeletons, organs nervous system, chakras and muscles each on different layers. It was an insane roller coaster of intertwining flesh, bone and energy. You will also notice this was a perfect playground to play with my abstract emotional energy art to enhance the overall mood. 

:)

Back in the day artworks - "Untitled" -2002

Are you ZONING OUT? 
During any creative process, be it dancing, writing, building, reading designing, painting, photography, and exercising, if you are doing it right you are zoning out....but in the best way possible! 

Zone like trance states are where new ideas and concepts magically pop into our heads. Unexpected results, rush in. Answers for problems suddenly solve themselves. The Muse makes a surprise appearance and you best dash to find pen and paper and take great recordings of her dictations through performance, word, song, sketch, or dance move. "She" won't visit you while sitting before a blank canvas or white sheet of paper. She just appears, many times without warning. 

For some, zoning or going into a trance like meditation is very light and almost undetectable. For others it is a very deep and conscious affair. All ancient tribes had their ceremonial rituals, dances, communal chanting and singing to go into a meditative realm to bring a tangible reaction from the invisible. This conjured up new songs, new culture, new art, and new ideas that are still applied today. 

I would dare say that almost every joyful ritual we do in life is unknowingly bringing us closer to this domain. (indicator of what your true role or secret passion is) 

Interviews of every great musician, actor, inventor, programmer, scientist, philosopher, engineer, or artist of the past will reveal that their best work just came to them. It appeared out of nowhere during one of their sessions. All they had to do was "show up". 

Huge egos react badly to this truth and It can be extremely frustrating for the student who wants "how to" instructions and clear recipes to follow. But the greatest, timeless, classic innovative art forms and inventions never work that way. When we show up and perform our zoning out ritual, the magic happens. Time seems to fly by. We are lost in another world. 

i know this may sound like some sort of hokey kung fu spiritual mystical phenomenon for some but I don't know any other way to explain what I do and how I do it. 

Here is one of my intensely emotional zoning trance pieces. I was lost in the process where it seemed to compose itself. All I did was sit in the front row eating popcorn watching the cosmic results on the screen while being surprised by the unexpected. The original title was "likjdfshlgskhfgpw". I typed random letters on the keybpard in mid trance since I don't name things in that mode. Like my other abstract work I was never planning on showing this. We will simply call it "Untitled" for now. 

Like much of my better work, it was that same trance like state where the art painted on it's own. I was the "paintbrush" being used by a something or someone else. and cannot claim full credit for the results. 

I just showed up. 

Derek Santiago 

"If you find yourself writing the story, as opposed to the story writing itself, it's time to stop for the day." 

- Ernest Hemingway

Back in the day artworks - "Lisa b" 2002

This technique is similar to my earlier "sculptural origami" style portraits, but began composing my images in a "watercolor wash" style with much translucency. I may be going back to this half oil- half watercolor style since it came so amazingly easy. 
Many times we are blessed with a gift or talent that comes so naturally, so effortless yet we, or...errrr.......... I take it for granted and not cherish the gift. As the saying goes: 

"We don't appreciate what comes easy to us in life." 

This applies to art, all talents, marriages, relationships, friends, and circumstances that seem to just fall on our laps. Is it the thrill of the chase? 

Because of my ingratitude, I am still paying a price in many areas of my life. 

Be thankful for what tasks comes easy to you. I don't care who you are, big or small, someone somewhere is amazed and perhaps jealous of something you take for granted. 

Santi-

Back in the day artworks -ALPHA FLIGHT COVER -1998

Another comic cover during my stint as a comic colorist in the mid to late 90s. This is the preproduction art before title lettering is place over the artwork. 
Again you can see my computer abstract origins in areas on upper right hand corner that are now in many of my abstract paintings. 

This was Alpha Flight #8. That is all the info I remember. Sorry. I don't know who penciled or inked it, but yes, that is Wolverine.

Back in the day artworks -"Portrait 1" -1999

My very first experimentation of "drawing" directly onto the computer without a scanned pencil sketch to use as a guide. 

It was done (as most of my work up to 2006) with a mouse in a sculptural origami anime style to shape the planes, angels and soft parts of the face while maintaining my Japanese Anime roots. It was really hard to achieve at the time.

Back in the day artworks -"Memoirs of an Urban Geisha"-Summer of 2006

Yes I'm a social dork. I never know what to say in bars and clubs when talking to people. Some people think I come across and a snob or too cool for the room, but the truth is I a really bad at small talk, and a bit nervous or just plain weird in those settings. I always have been. Too many art genetics were stolen from my soclal genes when I was made in the belly leaving me with missing pieces. So I end up staying quiet and observing. This image is PROOF! I was the only nerd bringing a laptop into a bar. I created this image at the bar during one of those awkward moments to help pass time. I also wanted to see a darker alternative to the typical pale powdered Giesha. Antisocial tendencies can payoff in other ways.

Back in the day artworks -John Romita Jr. Spider Man Cover artwork.

Here is a Spider-Man cover I did for Marvel back in 1997. This is the preproduction artwork before it is sent to the graphic designers who add the title at the top, text information and comic lettering. You will also notice the original official Marvel paper the artist used to draw on along with registration marks and technical specifications around and below the image. 

Im not sure which version of the Spiderman comic this was (there were quite a few) It says at bottom PP/Spider-man Issue 91. Pencils by the great John Romita Jr. 

The abstract formless areas such as the green portion on the upper right in pages and panels were fun little oases where I was free to play with shapes, styles and special affects which later evolved into my abstract work.

Back in the day artworks -"Untitled" 2002

I get many different reactions to this piece.

Back in the day artworks -"Dagger in My Smashed Heart" 2003

My heart smashed to bits in the corner with a sword of pain piercing through it on a diagonal slant. 

Yeah Yeah I'm a bit dramatic but it's what I felt at the moment in 2003.

Back in the day artworks -"Break Through" 2001

This showcases more of my abstract experimental emotional, offbeat, left of center work. It's an exercise of vomiting out raw emotions through digital art. It is quite refreshing to create images that have no restrictive literal accuracy based on the laws of gravity, realism or subject matter. Just pure feeling and spirit as one who dances for the sheer expression of it. The genesis was from frustrations of working as a graphic designer doing catalog work in Quark Express on an old busted computer. The annoyance of using that program and the technical precision one needed drove an organically creative type like me mad as hell. In response, I would take a break, open up Photoshop and "EXPLODE" with burning emotion. During the course of 1999 - 2004 I created almost 500 of these "emotional abstracts". They weren't really done as "ART" to be shown but created soley as a release of a wide gamut of intense feelings. That is why most of the titles are angry keyboard strokes like "ldkfhs;dfj;lsdjgslkfgjskl" or "dlskjfhalksdfals" 

Welcome to my inner rooms. Remember to take off your shoes.

Back in the day artworks -"Esco" -1997

This image was a pencil drawing on two stacked taped 8 1/2x11 sheets of paper scanned in sections and rendered in Photoshop 3.0. Here is probably the first time I started developing my "jagged, graffiti anime style" in the details. My damn sloppy signature :(