Events - From the Desk of Rick Santiago

This piece started out as something else altogether. Initially, I knew it was not a very well done piece but was strapped for time and needed to fill in a blank or 2. Since that show, it’s been hanging in my studio gathering dust as well as me loathing it each time I caught a glimpse.

Long After I'm Gone - - Rick Santiago — Long After I’m Gone – Mixed Media on Panel – Rick Santiago

Fast forward a few years and I’m stuck again to make something for a show I’d like to take part in. This was initially a layered piece that was not only glued together but mechanically fixed. I did not really want to submit an older piece for this show. I felt I needed something new I haven’t tried for a few years. I went ahead a “sacrificed” this piece and took it apart as carefully as I could. To my surprise and with a little effort, each layer came away relatively unscathed and reusable.

After some thought, I was able to blend in some of the “flawed” areas with a texturing compound. You can see in first image below. Results with the texturing went well and I was pretty pleased with results. A couple more steps are involved to prepare for painting but you already know that! Final painted piece is a B- on my scale happiness with the raw materials I started with. As most artist know, the right lighting is a must and this one will really shine.

You can see this one: October 1 – November 1, 2026 The Mount Royal Tavern Baltimore, MD

Mixed Media Textured Art by Rick Santiago

Mixed Media Tetured Art by Rick Santiago

About that fourth image. This was sold more than 15 years ago and living somewhere in Montgomery County. Recently fell off the wall and customer wanted to know if I can fix it. I was so happy so see this art piece in person. I have been longing to do this series again. Now that I have it in hand, can see the process, it’s the motivation I’ve been seeking. So maybe or may not, we will see. Enjoy the video below, thanks for visiting…

Feel free and safe to message or text me 443-390-6599 or theunartist@outlook.com

Love at the Sowebo Art and Music Festival

About “SoWeBo” – a blended name for Southwest Baltimore, a collection neighborhoods, including Hollins Market, Union Square, Pigtown, and Poppleton. Located just west of the Inner Harbor. Built for 19th-century workers, the area has a rich heritage defined by a bohemian arts scene, architectural preservation, and urban renewal.

Art, Music and Kid Friendly

Look no further, put it on your calendar, the Sowebo Art and Music Festival always falls on the Sunday before Memorial Day! You can find more info as a visitor or vendor on Facebook and Instagram

If you’ve ever been to Honfest in Hampden, Sowebofest covers about the same area. Not an overwhelming amount of food or beer vendors but just enough keep you happy along with a Food Truck or 2. Big bonus, there was a large area by the Market Stage complete with benches and picnic tables to enjoy your food, rest your legs complete with a playground for kids. I thought I visited all 3 music stages but just found out there were 4, need to get a map next time or less drink.

PARKING, a challenge almost anywhere in Baltimore. I took a Lyft to Sowebofest to avoid the potential “where to park” issue. From the looks of it, it is simply non-metered street parking where you can find it. For those non-city dwellers, practice your parallel parking or come in a 2 Dr Cooper, LOL. It’s not that bad but you’ll need to know the streets, maybe circle around a bit, but the parking is there.

Parade presented by Black Cherry Puppet Theatre during the Sowebo Art and Music Festival. I believe they are making a pot of carrot soup, dunno for sure…

Arts and Crafts

Here’s a weird thing, a friend, Adrian S and I had a studio space in Pigtown on West Ostend (Elemental Metals currently in space?) way way back when. It was a small foundry warehouse space located on a awkward corner, I think we were the first tenants by the looks of it. Cleaned it up and during football season had parties with easy drive in garage parking for friends. Only space I’ve had that I could weld in, I miss it! Anyway, I am almost sure I must’ve stopped by Umri Siki New Day Gallery because I ran into the store during Sowebofest with all the merchandise out on the sidewalk and I think it was the same way years and years ago. Won’t tell when but back then we partied like it was 1999! It’s a small world.

Back to the Arts and Crafts. Stopped by Sowebofest to specifically to support friend and fellow artist Adam Wilder with BmoreBware, super work buddy! Also a shout out to abstract paintings by Maggie Maed, fabric art by Moody Dear, stylistic paintings by Will Brown, t-shirts by Gnarly Artly and custom painted skateboard decks by Kannix. Good variety of arts and crafts throughout the festival, enough to satisfy your eye. I also love tent spots with Weirdoville and PUP444 Check them all out, all local and all talented!

Enjoy the photos, I’ve tried to include info and links on each…