For someone who grew up in a culture where Santos inhabited our homes it was such a thrill to be able to transform a blank one from the collection of Sandra Evertson.  Santos were brought to us from the colonization from Spain. Churches were few and far between, but Santos placed on home altars could help keep the spirit of God alive between missionaries visits.  My Great Grandmother kept a room full of them on the biggest altar I ever saw.  But it was her private place and sadly nobody can say whether any of her Saints survived.  To this date you can find Santeros (artisans that carve Santos) working and there's a big festival celebrated in the center of the island every winter, where they gather to sell.  They are mostly carved from local woods and then painted to suit.  There are many collectors in the island and since some of the more prominent Santeros are in high demand the prices are very steep.

  I think the expression on this sweet face is sublime and the amount of detail the wings and crown carries is outstanding.  It feels like your touching an actual Relic.  So whatever you decide to create with your Santos I can assure you your work is cut out for you.  For mine I did a very light dab of Distress Oxide ink in tea dye, I used a waterproof pen for some of the face details and I used Dina Wakley watercolor scribble sticks to accent the features.  The shrine is by Joggles, the mini sunburst was the perfect size to hold it, I also used one of their ATC sized stencils as it had the perfect scale for my altar.  I can't wait to see your take on this sweet one!