L'Officiel speaks to Isabel Santos on her daily life, creative process, and finding her footing in a long lockdown.&nbsp;

Artist Isabel Santos has been creating art pretty much her whole life. As with many, life, routines&mdash;everything slowed down for her during the pandemic. Yet for Isabel, who comes from a family of artists, creating is something that comes naturally no matter how gentle or extreme the process is. We see the fruit of this process in her latest work, an exhibit titled&nbsp;What Is Left,&nbsp;showing at Pablo Gallery in BGC.&nbsp;
Here, Isabel shares with L'Officiel her day-to-day creating art, and how she'd like the viewer to perceive it.&nbsp;

You come from a family of artists. What was it like growing up?
The environment was, well, creative? My lolo and parents had studios so art materials were readily available when I want to try something new. Family vacations consisted of multiple museums and gallery hoppings. Even in Manila, we were constantly in galleries, attending openings. My siblings and I were exposed to a lot of art since birth but we were never pressured to take it up. It was just there to freely explore with.
&nbsp;Were you expected to take up art right away? What other interests did you explore alongside it?&nbsp;
There was a time in elementary when people (teachers and students) knew my grandfather was a well known painter so people kept assuming I was good in art. All projects art related was always given to me. By the time a college course was needed to be decided, I had enough of art or the assumption that that was the only thing I was good at. I chose a totally random course which was European Studies in Ateneo de Manila. I thought I wanted to be a diplomat not knowing what really goes into becoming one. By my sophomore year, I knew I didnt want that but graduating late was not an option for me. I continued until I graduated, took a year off and travelled with my family to Europe, when I started to genuinely be interested in making my own works.

What was your early art like?
I had works as early as when I was seven but as a professional, I started late 2013. I dont know how to describe it but maybe cartoon-like? Starting from nothing was intimidating, so I started with pen and paper. I experimented with collage and paint. Now, since I don't have a background in art, i'm still experimenting with different mediums. I guess now, it's still cartoon-like but more specific to comics and a certain era.
What stories do you love to tell with your work?
I dont really put a lot of meaning in my art. That sounds so bad! They do have meaning and I do have write-ups but I don't like over-explaining what my works mean. I'd love the viewer to arrive at the "meaning" on its own then they can take a look at the write up after.
&nbsp;How has your craft evolved since day 1? Are you deliberate with changes in your work or do you surprise yourself and suddenly notice how it shifts?
It evolves because I evolve. I've gotten older and have experienced different things since I've started. Things that were important to me then are not so important to me now or vice versa. I've also been exposed to more art and more ways of doing art.

"I don't like over-explaining what my works mean. I'd love the viewer to arrive at the "meaning" on its own then they can take a look at the write up after."

What is your process like? How would you describe a day (or week, even) in your life?
It's a slow start. If I get up at 9AM, I have my coffee and muni-muni until I have to feed my dogs Noah and Benny at 12NN. I'd like to workout maybe 2 hrs, 3 times a week. On a good week, I'd like it to be everyday. I either do pilates, tennis, or have a run. When I finally convince myself to work, usually after dinner, I work until 4AM, but good luck at waking up at 9 the next day. If it doesnt rain, I take the dogs for a walk at 5PM.

You're pretty fond of fashion and beauty too&mdash;how would you describe your style? Any icons in particular?
There was a time I was like, should I hide this part of me? I was afraid people wont take me serious as an artist if I kept posting selfies. Haha! Then I suddenly didnt care. I have simple and basic things in my wardrobe. On the opposite end, I have very bold, big ruffled things. I have very sexy and skin showing pieces and I have ultra boxy, hides-all-my-shape pieces. It depends on my mood or my weight or if I feel sexy haha! With inspirations, Im not super sure but the looks I love are Issey Miyake's Pleats Please, Cecilie Bahnsen, Jacquemus, Maimoun Ny, Maison Cleo, Molly Goddard, Musier Paris, Martin Bautista, Gabbie Sarenas, Rod Malanao and Hamu. I dont look at big fashion houses yet because I know I cant buy it. Haha!

"I just want to produce good work. I want things I put out there, be good."

How has your routine changed during this (very long) lockdown? How has it affected your work?
During the first ECQ, my worst weeks, I woke up at around 4/5 PM. I was unmotivated. Galleries were lumped into the category of museums so it was last priority to open. Everything was moved or if things did open, only a few would see shows. My solo shows were constantly being postponed, I didn't get to go to MoMa NY for the UTGP celebration and everyday there was bad news reported. It took a while to get a routine that was healthy for me.
Cliche I know, but what and who inspires your work?
I used to say "the deadline!". I actually found that funny. Now, I just want to produce good work. I want things I put out there, be good.

Catch the last few days of Isabel's latest exhibit titled <a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/CUTq_T7he-U/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link" target="_blank" rel="noopener">What is Left, at Pablo Gallery, 11th Ave., BGC.&nbsp;</a>

What is Left: Isabel Santos on Creating Art in a Pandemic

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