Marcel Santos shared their story and experiences with us recently and you can find our conversation below.
Marcel, we’re thrilled to have you with us today. Before we jump into your intro and the heart of the interview, let’s start with a bit of an ice breaker: Who are you learning from right now?
Currently, I am focused on learning from my past experiences. I reflect on the mistakes I’ve made and the actions I should have taken or maybe avoided. The Fine Art business can be very cut-throat at times, and it is natural to encounter setbacks along the way. I believe that one of the most valuable teachers in the creative industry is our past selves. By analyzing my previous decisions and identifying areas for improvement, I am gaining insights that will help me navigate my career more effectively. With that in mind, I’m confident that this “reflective approach” will enable me to reach the next level in my professional journey.
Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
My name is Marcel Santos, and I’m a visual artist who works primarily with oils. I’m best known for my vibrant, whimsical style and for creating artwork that people genuinely connect with. I often hear things like, “This reminds me of my friend,” or “I’ve lived through that exact moment,” and to me, that’s the most rewarding part of what I do. I’m inspired by real-life scenes, personalities, and interactions—and translating those into something visual that resonates with others is what keeps me excited to step into the studio every day.
Collectors often tell me they quickly sense that every piece I create has a story behind it. I draw inspiration from what I observe—people’s fashion choices, their mannerisms, and those quiet, unspoken moments that often go unnoticed. These subtle details, especially from the vibrant nightlife around Los Angeles, often find their way onto my canvas as characters or scenes. Over the years, my work has been described as alluring, emotionally charged, fun, and simply “cool”—descriptions that still genuinely surprise and delight me every time I hear them.
One of my signature series is “Welcome to the Crossroads Show” — a collection of edgy, music-infused paintings that dive into the pivotal decisions we all face in life. The concept came to me as I was reflecting on how even in our most joyful moments—while singing, dancing, or just living it up—we’re often standing at a crossroads, whether we realize it or not. Each painting in the series captures that tension between celebration and contemplation, fun and vulnerability. It was an incredibly rewarding collection of paintings to work on, not only because it let me play with bold, expressive visuals, but because I was personally going through a whirlwind of emotions during the process. The result was a body of work that feels raw, honest, and full of energy—and I think that’s why it’s resonated so strongly with people.
As the characters from my “Welcome to the Crossroads Show” collection have grown in popularity, I’ve had more and more collectors tell me how cool it would be to see them on something they could wear. That enthusiasm really stuck with me—and it sparked the idea to launch an apparel line inspired by the artwork. It’s been an exciting way to take the stories beyond the canvas and into everyday life, blending bold visuals with personal style. You can check out the collection and more through my website.
Appreciate your sharing that. Let’s talk about your life, growing up and some of topics and learnings around that. Who saw you clearly before you could see yourself?
The people who saw me clearly—before I could fully see myself—were my parents. From an early age, they recognized something in me and never hesitated to support and encourage my creativity. I can proudly say that I’ve always had parents who not only believed in my talent but actively pushed me to pursue it. Life, of course, is never perfect, and the path of an artist comes with its own set of challenges. But having that steady foundation of support made the journey a little easier—and gave me the confidence to keep moving forward, even when things felt uncertain.
Was there ever a time you almost gave up?
Absolutely, I’d be lying if I said I never thought about giving up. That feeling is real, and it’s completely valid. The fine art world is incredibly competitive, and it can take a serious toll on you—not just mentally, but physically and even spiritually. There are moments of doubt, frustration, and exhaustion that every artist faces. But I’ve learned that those emotions are part of the process, not a sign to quit. What’s helped me push through is the reminder that the artists we admire—the ones who’ve “made it”—got there because they kept going, even when it was hard. So, feel what you need to feel, but don’t stay stuck in it. Keep moving forward. Looking back now, I’m deeply grateful I never gave up—and I owe a lot to the version of myself who kept showing up, even on the tough days.
Alright, so if you are open to it, let’s explore some philosophical questions that touch on your values and worldview. What would your closest friends say really matters to you?
My closest friends would probably say that what matters most to me is authenticity—staying true to who you are, both in life and in your work. They’ve seen firsthand how much I value real connection, and how I believe that in any part of the art or entertainment world, the only way to genuinely reach people is by showing up as your true self. I’ve learned that authenticity isn’t just a personal value—it’s an artistic tool. Collectors often connect with my paintings because, on some level, they’re connecting with me. We share similar interests, emotions, or experiences, and sometimes they find themselves drawn to something simply because they saw it through my eyes. That kind of connection can’t be manufactured, it has to be honest. At the end of the day, I believe people are drawn to what’s real. So whether it’s in my art or in how I show up in the world, I try to always lead with authenticity.
Okay, so before we go, let’s tackle one more area. If you knew you had 10 years left, what would you stop doing immediately?
Oh wow, that’s an intense question, it definitely caught me off guard haha. Let me think… If I had just 10 years left, I’d absolutely still be painting. Creating art is such a core part of who I am, I can’t imagine stepping away from it. But if we’re talking about what I’d stop doing, that’s a little trickier. I think instead of focusing on what to cut out, I’d shift my focus toward what truly matters. I’d make it a priority to spend more time with the people I care about most. I’d carve out more space for joy, for simple moments, for things that make me feel alive. Life moves so fast—blink, and whole years go by. As I get older, I’m realizing more and more that the real value isn’t in how much we do, but in how connected and fulfilled we feel while doing it. So I’d try to be more present, less rushed, and more intentional with how I use my time.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.marcelsantos.com
- Instagram: @marcelartstudio
- Facebook: https://facebook.com/marcelartstudio
Image Credits
©Marcel Art Studio.
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