Antônio Carlos Germano Santos, known simply as GERMANO, a 79-year-old Brazilian artist, has embarked on a remarkable journey of self-expression through painting and photography that invites us to see the beauty in the often-overlooked aspects of our environment. GERMANO’s life story is a testament to the enduring power of artistic passion. From a young age, he nurtured a love for art, painting, and photography, but the demands of life led him down a different path, spending five decades in the financial market. However, GERMANO’s heart never strayed far from the world of art, and his journey would eventually come full circle.
GERMANO’s life story is a testament to the enduring power of artistic passion. Born in Brazil, he nurtured a love for art, painting, and photography from a young age. Unfortunately, the demands of life led him down a different path, as he spent five decades in the financial market, leaving his artistic ambitions simmering in the background. However, GERMANO’s heart never strayed far from the world of art, and his journey would eventually come full circle.
What sets GERMANO apart is not just his artistic skills but also the wealth of knowledge he accumulated through encounters with great masters of art, such as Di Cavalcante and Kasuo Wakabayashi. These encounters, though brief, left an indelible mark on his artistic sensibilities, and their influence can be seen in his work today. These early experiences sowed the seeds of creativity that would later flourish in his retirement.
GERMANO’s transition from the financial market to the world of art began at the age of 70, when he decided to pursue his lifelong passion with unbridled dedication. This decision marked a significant turning point in his life, as he finally had the time and freedom to explore the artistic realms he had longed to delve into.
In the realm of painting, GERMANO has chosen abstractionism as his primary mode of expression. Using acrylic on canvas, he delves into the world of abstract forms and colors, allowing his imagination to flow freely onto the canvas. His abstract works are a testament to his ability to translate complex emotions and ideas into vibrant visual compositions.
While painting provides GERMANO with a medium for exploring the depths of his imagination, his photography project, “NUANCES OF NATURE,” offers viewers a window into the subtleties and intricacies of the natural world. This project is a manifestation of his profound connection to nature and his desire to reveal its hidden treasures.
“NUANCES OF NATURE” is a series of photographs that captures the often-overlooked details of the natural world. GERMANO’s keen eye spots the extraordinary in the ordinary, revealing the beauty in the scars on a tree’s bark, the resilience of a fungus on a trunk, the delicate intricacies of a flower’s interior, and the weathered texture of a stone. These images remind us that beauty is not just found in the grand and picturesque but also in the quiet and overlooked moments of the natural world.
One of GERMANO’s poignant photographs from this project is of a tree bearing the scars of a large branch that was once cut. The passage of time has transformed this scar into a significant feature, but it often goes unnoticed by passersby. The tree stands, providing shade, despite the harm it endured. This image encapsulates GERMANO’s intention with “NUANCES OF NATURE” – to shed light on the details that nature generates, even those born from adversity.
GERMANO’s photography project challenges us to slow down and observe the world around us with a more discerning eye. In our fast-paced lives, we often rush past the intricate details that surround us, consumed by the hustle and bustle of daily existence. Through his lens, GERMANO reminds us that beauty is all around us, waiting to be discovered in the most unexpected places.
Each photograph in “NUANCES OF NATURE” tells a story, not just of the natural world but also of the artist’s profound connection to it. GERMANO’s passion for these small wonders is evident in every image he captures. His work encourages us to cultivate a deeper appreciation for the world we inhabit and to find solace and inspiration in the often-overlooked details of our environment.
As an artist who came to his craft later in life, GERMANO’s journey serves as an inspiring example of the enduring power of artistic expression. His story reminds us that it is never too late to pursue our passions, to explore our creative impulses, and to share our unique perspectives with the world. Through his paintings and photographs, Antônio Carlos Germano Santos invites us to see the world through his eyes, to embrace the beauty of nature’s nuances, and to find joy in the art of discovery.
