Re-Do Emyn Muil

Emyn Muil 4/26 Re-do toned from late last summer, very pleased with results.

Was never that happy with initial results, felt it lacked some definition and color tone was WAY off, but always liked the results of the texturing. I “re-stained” the piece with a thin coat of black and wiped away parts hoping to develop the shadow areas and bring out a little more detail. The “moon” was equally disappointing but redoing this section would mean repainting the entire piece, which to me is a “no can do”.

Close up and Happy Mistakes

After trying to rescue an older piece that was beyond a simple re-do, I cut it down and ripped off some of the canvas, ended up throwing away everything but a small piece of canvas. The inside (back) of the canvas is what you see here, the resulting texture is very pleasing…

Emyn Muil detail of the “Moon”, always interesting how one stumbles across Happy Accidents…

Out of Order 2026 – if interested you can bid on this piece at Maryland Art Place Section A #61 or message me

Some past works trying to satisfy my obsession with LOTR Middle Earth…

April 2, 2026April 20, 2026

Fly me to the Moon

Fly me to the moon
Let me play among the stars
Let me see what spring is like
On Jupiter and Mars – ver. Frank Sinatra

When the moon hits your eye
Like a big pizza pie, that’s amóre
When the world seems to shine
Like you’ve had too much wine, that’s amóre – ver. Dean Martin

re: the Moon

The Moon has been an important source of inspiration and knowledge in human history, having been crucial to cosmography, mythology, religion, art, time keeping, natural science and spaceflight. An overwhelming majority of my wall based pieces includes a celestial body, round shapes which could or could not be a moon. It functions both as the center point that keeps my pieces organized as well as a starting place for viewers to carry on ;

A few of my faves, will add as i run across my work…

Feel free to message Rick Santiago at 443-390-6599

March 13, 2026April 21, 2026

Love, Lust, Sex & the Artist

Favorite Quotes

“Everything in the world is about sex except sex. Sex is about power.” — Oscar Wilde
“Physics is like sex: sure, it may give some practical results, but that’s not why we do it.” — Richard P. Feynman
“Sex: the thing that takes up the least amount of time and causes the most amount of trouble.” — John Barrymore
“Sex without love is as hollow and ridiculous as love without sex.” — Hunter S. Thompson
“The function of muscle is to pull and not to push, except in the case of the genitals and the tongue.” — Leonardo da Vinci
“An intellectual is a person who’s found one thing that’s more interesting than sex.” – Aldous Huxley
“Love without Lust is just dessert.” – theunartist
“Sex and art are the same thing.” Picasso
“The difference between sex and love is that sex relieves tension and love causes it.” – Woody Allen
“Fighting for peace is like screwing for virginity.” – George Carlin
“A man who asks questions, explores, and adjusts is more attractive than a man who believes he knows everything. Curiosity demonstrates humility and makes her feel like an adventure rather than an obligation”. – unknown

Curiosity is the lust of the mind

“Your imagination is a powerful tool for sexual pleasure, allowing you to create your own stories and understand what turns you on.” — Gina Gutierrez

Here are a few pieces and the photographs are of complete strangers…

This That and the Other - Rick Santiago - 2006

Feel free to message Rick Santiago at 443-390-6599

October 27, 2025April 20, 2026

The Maze of Emyn Muil

Textured Mixed Media Art Work Rick Santiago — Emyn Muil, Art by Rick Santiago

A Different Technique

Mixed Media – Textured on Canvas, 26″ x 18″ Have not made a textured piece in years. Discovered yet another “shortcut” which is a relief. This one took “one take”, so I’m pretty happy with result. My fascination with the visuals you find in the LOTR is still so strong after all these years. You can find this one at the Mount Royal Tavern in Baltimore through the 1st week of November during their Halloween Show.

About

The Maze of Emyn Muil is a desolate, labyrinthine region of jagged hills and deep gullies in J.R.R. Tolkien’s Middle-earth, located between the Eastemnet of Rohan and the Dead Marshes. It is a treacherous and confusing area where Frodo and Sam become lost at the start of The Two Towers, and where they are eventually found and guided by Gollum. The name “Emyn Muil” translates to “Hills of the Mists,” which highlights its confusing and disorienting nature.

Feel free to message Rick Santiago at 443-390-6599