Santos Bautista is an exceptional artist who lives in San Andres Cohamiata; the ancient Huichol ceremonial center located deep in the Sierra Madre mountains of Western Mexico. He is the oldest son of Jose Bautista, an elder Huichol shaman who has served his community in a number of capacities. Including the position of Governor, and is also widely recognized as a pioneer of bead art. Santos is not only an artist but is also involved in doing the ceremonies and rituals that truly make up what it means to be a Huichol.
Today there are over 15,000 Wixaritari (Huichol), just about every one will at one point try their hand at creating art. Most however, will never be able to create that distinct style that defines a true artist. It does not take an expert to see that most of the Huichol Bead Art being sold today just about all looks the same. Color, definition and symmetry are three ways we judge art, but the real mark of a true artist is that you can distinguish their own distinct style from others' work.
Santos trademark style includes a 'focal' point in all of his work that breaks up the general striation or rainbow of colors, combined with extraordinarily straight lines and vibrant color combinations. Santos Bautista's work can be found in Galeria Colectika in Puerto Vallarta or in Galeria Peyote People in Oaxaca.