"It was through my grandparents that I acquired the love for music and the arts. My mother noticed my interest in drawing at a young age and encouraged me to pursue art. As an adult I pursued an education in academic realism with techniques based on old masters. Since retiring I have been able to pursue my passion for art full time. I prefer tradition oils but I also enjoy the challenges of pencil/charcoal for portrait and figure pieces. I am either painting in my studio, attending painting/sketch groups or enjoying the challenge of creating the many beautiful sights of Long Island."

Santiago is a realist oil painter with an Impressionistic flare. His art education started in High School with strong academic training at the School of Industrial Arts. As an adult he studied drawing and painting in the 'old master' tradition under Cesare Borgia and Lou DeLuca at The Reilly League of Artists, Inc. His recognitions include: Artist of the Month, LI Museum in Stony Brook; Hispanic Heritage Month Honoree, Islip Town Hall; Landscape Painting in the Stony Brook University Medical Center’s Permanent Collection; Portrait sketch of Mr. Jesse Jackson in the collection of Rainbow Coalition, Washington, D.C. and numerous works in Private Collections throughout the United States.Oscar’s other art affiliations include the Long Island Art Museum, Suburban Art League and Setauket Artists. He is accredited with a long list of Group and Juried Exhibitions and awards.​