This painting by Roseta Santiago is entitled, “Water Blessing“.  It is an oil on canvas.  Roseta said about this painting:

“To me, this painting contains an important story of the connection between life, water, and culture.  To left is Gomeo, who is telling the story of the water journey.  There are the water bearers, bringing water in their clay vessels to the Pueblo people.  Both literally and symbolically, this an activity that spans centuries and generations.  The lines I painted across the surface are the “timelines”, the embodiment of this living history.  Carrying the water in the clay vessels is not just tradition but sacred. To the lower right is an iconic Acoma Pueblo water jar. The jar has eagles, sun, and plant designs, drawing from the past and yet designs seen today.”

Roseta Santiago is known for her dynamic realistic paintings.  History reverberates in each of her paintings.  Roseta Says of her art:

“The things that inspire me are the historical artifacts, historical people.  My models are people with whom I spend time and who have something to reveal. It’s always about inner beauty. It’s mainly the interior of a person or thing. I can almost experience a pot being made when I paint it. I just see what the potter went through.” 

She is best known for her luminous still life and figurative paintings of Native peoples and artifacts portrayed with dramatic lighting, Santiago is a master at chiaroscuro.  She uses mostly living models, although a few historic people taken from photographs weave their way into her art.  She says one of her goals is to honor Native American culture through her portrayals in her art.