Dave Santia - Speed Painting

Recently I was introduced to a local artist that happens to be a friend of a guy who plays baseball with my boyfriend. He’s 6’5" and looks like any normal guy you would meet off the street. Although pretty normal on the outside, this guy is brilliant on the inside. I was told over and over to watch his videos on youtube, but of course I never listened. The other night, Dave had a performance. He is a speed painter, and I never understood what speed painting was all about, and how amazing it is until I saw it for myself.

The idea behind speed painting is to paint a picture of an artist by the time two of their songs are done playing in the background. Sounds easy enough? Well, try painting these people upside down in less than 7 minutes. When it was explained to me, I considered it to be damn near impossible. Then I started thinking it may be possible but would probably turn out to be a sloppy mess I could barely recognize.

As I watched Dave in action I was amazed. My favorite part about speed painting is the music involved. The entire time Dave paints, his love for music shines through his paintings. The music is what keeps him going, it keeps him focused. When the painting is done and the music is still playing, it’s easy to see Dave’s energy. His talent is unlike any other I have ever witnessed. 

 Dave put on a show, doing five paintings for the crowd at the Detroit Pub. It took him six to seven minutes to do each painting, and each one was sold before it was even created. When I heard this I knew the man I was watching was a serious artist. People were lined up to purchase $500 paintings that didn’t even exist yet. Dave spoke to the crowd about his love for art and his love for music, and how they go together hand in hand. Dave loves doing 3 or 4 week paintings, working on them night and day, slowly making them perfect, but as he started doing speed paintings in bars, selling them, he realized that was where he needed to focus his energy.

I watched him paint and I was in awe. It was the most amazing experience to watch him in action. Attached are a couple videos of Dave at work. If you get a chance to make it out and watch him perform, it will be the best artistic experience you may ever have.

I come from a family of artists, and I have seen amazing work. Although I have a lot of love for art and music, this experience made me have a deeper appreciation for musicians and artists. The work they do is insane, and music and art go together like peas and carrots. Come see this guy...it will change your life.

ENJOY!

http://youtu.be/_qYlf5NRHog 

http://youtu.be/7dSpNgtZxuQ