Born and reared in the Washington, DC, area, the self-taught Roseta Santiago began her artistic career as a graphics and exhibit designer. Now living and working in Santa Fe, Santiago’s passion is oil painting, and her work is influenced by portrait and still life artists such as Hovsep Pushman, John Singer Sargent, and Emil Carlsen. Asian and Western artifacts have frequently been the focus of her compositions, but now she often portrays the Native peoples of New Mexico. Initially hesitant to transition into figural work, Santiago says, “I never thought I could paint a person. Now I know I can.” Santiago’s respect for and fascination with Native American cultures was one of the motivators for her move to Santa Fe.

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