Francisco Santos

Artistic background

I'm a professional artist. I was born in S. Jorge, and now live and work in the small medieval town of Porto de Mos, located in the centre of Portugal. I began my education at the Antonio Arroio school for the decorative arts, and finished it attending an art course (1982/85) at the National Society of Fine Arts.

In the past, my paintings were of, what I like to call, figurative expressionist nature. As time passed, the figurative elements began to dilute. Now, and looking forward, I focus mostly on pure abstraction, lightly touching upon abstraction expressionist.

The paintings of colored lines, wid or narrow, appear as a turning point in my most recent work. Contrasts, calm harmony, balance and tonal beauty characterise these 'lines paintings'. The bright palette ranges from strong, full colours tones, to soft watercolour values and finds its peak with an almost "black and white" intensity, applied in parallel on the canvas.

Solo Exhibitions:

2019 - Painting, Art Gallery, Peniche / Painting, Art Gallery, Leiria / 2018 - Painting, Art Gallery, Leiria / 2017 - Painting, Art gallery, Pombal / 2016 - Painting, Art Gallery, Leiria / Art Gallery Ourém / 2015 - Painting, Art Gallery, Leiria / Painting, Art Gallery, Batalha / 2013 - Painting, Art Gallery, Leiria / 2012 - Painting, Mouzinho de Albuquerque Art Gallery, Batalha / 2012 - Painting, Art Gallery, Leiria / 2011 - Painting, Art Gallery, Porto de Mós / 2010 - Painting, Art Gallery, Porto de Mós / 2008 - Painting, Art X Gallery, Porto de Mós / 2006 - Painting, Art Gallery, Aveiro / 2005 - Painting, Art Gallery, Porto de Mós / 2004 - Painting - Art Gallery, Vila do Conde / 2002 - Painting - Art Gallery, Porto de Mós / 2000 - Painting - Art Gallery, Peniche / 1999 - 1198 - Shows "Ocean" Tomar, Coimbra and Leiria (paintings) / 1997 - Painting, Santa Clara Gallery, Coimbra / 1996 - Painting, Art Gallery, Porto de Mós / 1994 - Painting, Art Gallery, Tomar / 1993 - Painting, Art Gallery, Torres Novas / 1991 - Painting, Art Gallery, Leiria / 1990 - Watercolor - Art Gallery, Leiria / 1988 - Watercolor, Art Gallery, Pombal / 1987 - Installation, Monastery of Batalha / 1985 - Painting, Art Gallery, Batalha / 1983 - Painting, Art Gallery, Lisboa / 1982 - Drawing, Art Gallery, Lisboa.

Private collections: Municipal Councils: Leiria, Porto de Mós, Batalha, Vila do Conde, Coimbra, Tomar, Torres Novas, Peniche and other cities and towns in Portugal.

art collectors: Portugal, Spain, France, Germany, Holland, Poland, Romania, Bulgaria, Belgium, Denmark, Sweden, United States, Canada, England and Japan.