Artist: Draupadi Santiago
Artist, Draupadi Santiago
Meet Draupadi Santiago, a watercolor artist and designer. Currently living in Montevideo, Uruguay, Draupadi was born in Mexico, and has lived in five different countries. With such a diverse life one can easily see the beautiful impact in her own art and home decor.
Draupadi fell in love with art as a little girl, being surrounded by the full palette of color and artistic influence in Mexico City. She is a master at watercolor art. However she doesn’t limit herself as she also creates with different textures, mixed media, interior and wallpaper design and teaches workshops.
Three words that describe Draupadi Santiago’s art:
contemplative, nature oriented, timeless
“It’s difficult to not fall instantly in love with Draupadi and her home the moment you walk in her front door. Draupadi has mastered a calming color scheme, the perfect use of artistic wallpaper and her flawless attention to all the details make you want to explore every part of her home. Plants thrive among her artwork, various tokens of her life and memories are carefully placed on shelves. As someone who is currently living in a home with all embassy provided furniture, I caught myself slightly drooling over everything. Thankfully it wasn’t too hard to convince Draupadi to let me capture her beautiful soul, art and home with my camera. I am so excited to share the final photos, and more importantly this in-depth interview where you can get to know Draupadi and her art a bit more! ENJOY!!” - Miranda
Behind the scenes of photographer Miranda Boller and artist, Draupadi Santiago
Draupadi, where did you grow up, and do you feel like this has affected your art?
I grew up in the metropolitan zone of Mexico City, in the heart of a bicultural family. My mom was Nepalese and my dad is Mexican. Our house was located near a nice lake, surrounded by eucalyptus trees and chirping birds. Growing up there, gave me the possibility to have a place of retreat and experience nature and silence, but at the same time, I could drive to the city and have the full palette of interesting museums, art exhibitions, theater and Mexican arts and crafts on street markets..
Draupadi in a traditional dress from Oaxaca, Mexico. Throughout her home are many memories and tokens from her Nepalese upbringing.
Explain your background in art:
Although I graduated from International business with a Master in Science degree in Supply Chain and Ops, my connection with art started as a little girl. I remember losing sense of time and space while sitting somewhere and painting, drawing different forms and figures. I enrolled in several art courses through high school and university. It wasn’t until 2014, when I decided to take a sabbatical to experience all the artistic things that I had set aside for my work life. During this sabbatical I re-found my passion for art and started taking intensive courses on watercolor techniques in Chile. Lorena Fröhlich who is a well known watercolor artist in Chile has taught me how to paint animals in detail with watercolor.
I also took classes on graphic design at the University of Chile because I wanted to create my own patterns and wallpapers. I learned calligraphy in Germany. I took a class of collage work with a Mexican artist that taught me how to play with different textures and reliefs. Ever since, I have attended several workshops that have enriched my techniques and style of painting.
Draupadi with her wallpaper designs at her home in Montevideo, Uruguay. You can purchase her wallpaper here
Who are your biggest artistic influences?
I am not sure, if I really have big artistic influences, but I think I have been impacted by a mixture of impressions and ideas my whole life. But, if I had to mention an artistic influence. I think I would say Mexican murals. Mexico is a country with a history of murals, from the ancient Olmecas, the Mayas in Bonampak and the movement of the 1920´s following the Mexican revolution. These large format paintings have always captured my attention. In my case, my paintings are not loaded with social or political intentions but rather with nature and places that allow the viewer to reach a contemplative state of mind.
Tell me about your favorite medium to use:
Watercolor. I feel comfortable with the flow of water and the sensations of the brush over the cotton paper. I also like mixed media like acrylics, oil crayons and pastel.
Artist, Draupadi Santiago painting watercolor in her studio
Do you focus on one type of medium or different kinds?
I keep experimenting with different mediums like alcohol inks, acrylics on canvas, create my own collages with watercolor pieces of art. I have done murals, and lately I have been painting on porcelain.
Draupadi painting on porcelain in her studio and detail photos
How long does an average piece of your art take to create?
It really depends on each project. It is very difficult to come up with an average amount of time for each project. I would say I do sit on a project for at least a day, processing my thoughts. You have to take into consideration the final setting, the investigation and planning you have to do in advance. In my case I paint a lot of landscapes and plants. I have to look into my books and study the forms of the plants, define color palettes, and I often make a composition before painting.
Artist, Draupadi Santiago at home with her paintings and detail photos
Tell me 3 interesting facts about you:
I lived in 5 different countries (Mexico, Germany, Switzerland, Chile and Uruguay)
I have a 7 year old boy and a german husband
I love kundalini yoga.
Where do you find inspiration?
In nature, in my trips, I keep record of my trips. It can be a beautiful landscape, or the colors in the sky or even an exuberant plant, I keep photos the things that inspire me.
Artist, Draupadi Santiago at her home in Montevideo, Uruguay
What's your favorite piece of art you have created and why?
I like the artwork I do, but I don’t truly get attached to it. I feel great when each piece of art finds their perfect home. I think the first watercolor artworks I did, are now my favorites, although at the beginning I felt they were not enough.
Describe your dream project:
One of the projects I have in mind is to paint a large scale paint or a mural on a public space like a library, a cafe, a plaza.
Do you have any advice for those interested in becoming an artist in your same medium?
Every process of learning requires patience, love and perseverance. Showing up everyday, connecting with your true desires will help you unfold and open up with much ease.
Where can people purchase your art?
At the moment you can purchase some of my artwork at Impresionarte The Artshop, on Society6, on my instagram @draupadisantiago. You can also write me an email: drausantiago@gmail.com or call me or text me to +598 93 900 444.
Artist, Draupadi Santiago
Just for fun, what is your favorite quote?
“God grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change, Courage to change the things I can, and Wisdom to know the difference.” by Reinhold Neibuhr
Anything else you want me to know?
I want to thank you for making this interview, because you made me reflect. I think what you are doing here is an amazing idea in show casing all those artist and diving a little more in depth into their work and background and inspiration. Wish you lots of luck and fun!
AWWW DRAUPADI! Thank you for the kind words. I truly LOVED capturing your home and art and beautiful soul. We had so much fun together and Draupadi was so kind to gift me this gorgeous watercolor painting of Chile. I have it now sitting on my hard drives on my desk in my office to add some color to my white walls and because it makes me smile every time I look at it. That is what art should do - bring out an emotion to the viewer and if you are lucky inspire you in many different ways. I am forever grateful for this experience and time with Draupadi and am so excited to now have her in my life as a friend. I hope you all enjoyed the interview and getting to know and fall in love with Draupadi and her art!
Artist, Draupadi Santiago with her watercolor of Chile and photographer, Miranda Boller