Nick Santaniello

Artist’s bio

As an artist, I’ve been influenced by the impressionist masters like Monet, Renoir, and Degas. Growing up, my mother, a successful artist herself, nurtured my creative spirit, serving as the engine that drove my artistic journey. Her guidance and legacy have significantly shaped my style. Meanwhile, my father's business acumen and people skills played a pivotal role in the success of my family’s artistic endeavors, including the family tile business in California where I worked. I was fortunate to be part of such a strong and creative family and to collaborate on high profile commissions because of the combined efforts of my parents.

After studying fine arts in Santa Barbara, I applied my creativity in various fields. I worked in the family tile business, creating hand-painted tiles, before transitioning to a career as an executive chef. Throughout my life, music has also been a constant source of inspiration, with songwriting being a lifelong passion. Despite the different paths I’ve taken, the thread of creativity has remained a constant, guiding me through each endeavor.

My artwork often features seascapes, landscapes, birdscapes, and occasionally, figures and portraits, are infused with a sense of the radiant light I search for in nature. The soft, ethereal quality of the pastel medium brings me closer to capturing that luminosity than other mediums, so pastels have become my passion.

My art is not just about the finished piece but about the journey of creation itself. This approach, combined with my life’s experiences, my unique techniques, and my sought-out beginner’s mindset, is what, I believe, gives aliveness to my art. By embracing my creative spirit, I’ve found a sense of home and purpose in my art.

Now based in Myrtle Beach, I find inspiration in the simple joys of life. I enjoy spending time with my girlfriend, Tanya, being at the beach, watching birds, and immersing myself in nature. Most of all I love being at home, lost in the world of art. My connections to nature, the spirit of the universe, the ones I love, my inner child and the freedom I feel from being lost in all of it are the driving forces behind my pastels and charcoal pieces.