Edward Santos [U.S Army SGT. (RET)] The Arts Have Had an Impact on my life
Photo by Edward Allen Santos
My Name is Edward Allen Santos, NYC
native, born and raised in the Bronx.
I’m
a father of 3 grown children, two boys and one girl, girl being the oldest and
who has given me my first grandchild. Having been raised in the Bronx wasn’t
easy be any means. My dad who passed away when I was seven and my mother forced
to raise four boys on her own made it difficult for any of us to get a lot of
things we wanted growing up.
After
having my daughter at the age of 18 I worked odd jobs throughout NY. I worked
retail, construction, delivery until a friend landed me a job as an
electricians apprentice. I finally had a decent job in which I could see a
promising future. Working hard and working my way up to junior mechanic I
finally felt like I was achieving something in life, unlike many of my
childhood friends who unfortunately where ending up dead or in jail for either
selling or abusing drugs.
By
the time I had my third child I was feeling that although I held a fairly
decent job I wasn’t where I needed to be in life. Unfortunately, then 911
happened. I was still working as an electrician in Manhattan the day of and
witnessed the World Trade Center tragedy as I stood six blocks north of the
towers watching in horror as the 1st tower came crumbling to the
disappearing cloud of white smoke and dust.
I
knew then as did many Americans that I wanted to do more and February of 2003 I
raised my right hand and joined the Army. In 2006 serving with Connecticut’s
1-102nd INF 29th INF DIV I deployed to Afghanistan.
During the tail end of that first deployment I was injured, Flown to Germany
and back to Fort Bragg to recover. After my recovery I went back to Connecticut
where I continued to serve with the 102nd INF and became a
Correction Officer at Osborn C.I.
In
November of 2008 Co C 1-102nd INF which was now part of The 86th
MTN BCT redeployed back to Afghanistan and I volunteered to redeploy with them
for my 2nd tour. Unfortunately for me the injuries my body suffered
from constant wear and tear became so debilitating that I was flown out of
Afghanistan and sent to Germany and then for a year long recovery at Fort Drum
warrior transition unit and from there to West Point where I was medically
retired from the army in 2012.
In
2013 After Medical Retirement and not being able to return to work as a
Correction Officer I became isolated and found myself attending ptsd groups and
counseling at the Newington VA. While attending group I learned of a Vietnam Veteran
teaching newly returned soldiers how to paint like Bob Ross…Bob Ross was a t.v
host who taught viewers how to paint beautiful landscapes. Having been a fan of
Bob Ross I always wanted to learn how to paint happy clouds and happy trees. I
joined the weekly classes and discovered a hidden talent I never knew I had.
Today
with the help of my family as my care givers I continue to paint but have
heavily transitioned over More to Photography. Photography has opened a new
world for me, allowing me to come out of my isolation…The more I want to
create, The more I have to be outside capturing the photographs I need to
create my work. The Arts has become my passion and my saving grace. It has
allowed me an outlet far better than any drug or counseling that the VA could
have ever achieved. Today I continue to struggle with ptsd, anger and physical
pain from injuries, but with the loving support of my family, close friends and my art I am able to cope
with my issues a lot easier.
Since
beginning my art journey I have been blessed with quite a bit of success and
recognition both here in the states and overseas, having my photography
exhibited in places like the center for fine art photography in Colorado and
winning best in show at Galleria Lancellotti in Rome Italy. My work has also
been published in magazines such as OnlyMobile Art, The Pass in Review,
CTLatino Magazine.
Because
of this success and having personally experience the incredible benefits of
art/art therapy I’ve turned my attention into trying to help fellow veterans seek
the Arts as their own form of therapy by hosting Veterans Art Shows both with
eSantosStudios and with The Veterans Art Foundation which is a 501c3 Foundation
in Connecticut dedicated to helping veterans find their own passions within the
arts.
Best
Edward
Santos
U.S
Army SGT. (RET)
O.E.F
06-07 / 09-10
V.P
of the board Veterans Art Foundation
401-601-7773
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