Chris Cornell of Soundgarden. We lost the singer back in 2017. Hard to believe it’s been that long.
Dave SantiaIf you've ever seen speed painter Dave Santia do his live paintings, you know it's something unbelievable. I thought I'd ask Dave to swing by the station and ask him how this all started and how he learned to take on this difficult art.
He said it started about 15 years ago after he saw a video online. He talks about his first picture which was, let's say, not very "speedy". It took him a while to get to the point he's at today.
He tells me about all the cruises he's been on, including the Trailer Trash Tammy cruise that's coming up this year. He's done celebrity paintings as well, from Kid Rock to Bob Seger. In the interview, he recalls a few of them, including one with a legendary baseball/football player.
He gets into the process of painting starting with the canvas upside down. He said people always asked about that part of the show. He talks about how the music is always attached to the subject he's painting. In case you haven't seen him do this, he paints the entire picture in the span of one song. So, he could do a picture in five minutes or less.
We talked about any pictures that came easy or harder. He also talks about why he uses such a big canvas as well. If you were wondering, he uses a canvas that is 4 X 5 feet, and there's a reason for that too. He talks about why that size is the perfect size for what he does.
If you want to see speed painter Dave Santia in person, he has an event coming up on February 3rd. It's at the Rochester Hills Banquet Center for the 3rd annual Golden Gala Masquerade Ball. He'll be painting three pictures there that night.
A huge Thank You to Dave for coming by the station and sharing his talents and story. Check out more on Dave by watching the interview below, looking at his pictures, and of course punching up his website, here.
Dave SantiaGene Simmons of KISS. Great detail with the makeup and all.
Dave SantiaHere's one Dave did of the late Kurt Cobain. The Nirvana singer has been gone for almost 30 years.
Dave SantiaThere's no denying who Dave is painting. The legendary Alice Cooper.
Dave SantiaHere's a new one of the Detroit Lions' Aiden Hutchinson. Just in time for game number 2 of the playoffs.
Dave SantiaI love this one of the legendary Hulk Hogan....Brother!
Dave SantiaJust a classic picture and classic pose. Chevy Chase from Christmas Vacation.
Dave SantiaAnother Christmas classic! Ralphie in the bunny PJs from A Christmas Story.
Dave SantiaDave has painted many pictures of the late, great, Eddie Van Halen. Each one is as good as the other.
Dave SantiaDee Snider of Twisted Sister fame. I love the detail on this one too.
Dave SantiaDave mentioned painting Hendrix in our conversation. Here's one he did of Jimi.
Dave SantiaDave has painted at Twiztid's Astronomicon. Here's Monoxide and Madrox from the band.
Dave SantiaI couldn't resist....the Captain, Steve Yzerman hoisting the Stanley Cup!
Dave SantiaWe talked about NASCAR sharing a painting he did of Dale Earnhardt. Here's one of them.
Dave SantiaWhen it comes to Detroit icons, there aren't many bigger than Eminem. This is a painting by Speed Painter Dave Santia.
Dave SantiaLet's throw in a couple more Detroit legends. Kid Rock makes the cut.
Dave SantiaOne more....Mr. Bob Seger.
Dave SantiaI've played a few of this guys' songs on the radio. Slash from Guns N' Roses.
Dave SantiaThe late, great Dimebag Darrell. It'll be 20 years this December that we lost him.
