Cris Santos | Freediver | Underwater Educator | Ocean Artist & Designer | Portugal
Cris dedicates her creative energy to authentic aquatic stories that inspire people to care and feel the ocean and its transforming potential.
Founder of Ocyano, a creative studio aiming to communicate the ocean through art and design, Cris spends half of her time in the ocean freediving and another half in the studio.
That combination reflects in her professional results, as she goes to the source to bring inspiration and awareness to her work, believing in the power of creative thinking to find better communication solutions that take care of the planet, connect people with the ocean, and contribute to its regeneration.
She loves to embrace partnerships to strengthen collaboration for impact generation and dive deep into ideas and projects that build up new poetic narratives based on the deepest ecological understanding of our living systems, crossing art, science, and spirituality with nature’s wisdom, our greatest teacher.
Cris Santos
Along with her creative work, she is an underwater educator and producer at Programa Atlantis, promoting ocean literacy through freediving.
Image by Janna Guichet
What are the fondest memories from your upbringing that you feel impacted your life choices and lifestyle today?
The sea was my first master. I was born and raised on the beach, and the intertidal areas were my favourite playground, for as long as I can remember.
My passion and devotion to the sea were born with me and remain until today. As a master freediver, underwater educator, designer, and artist, I dedicate my creative energy to authentic aquatic stories that inspire us to care for and feel the ocean and its transforming potential.
What are you doing in or around the ocean?
Ocean Artist & Designer
Freediver
Underwater Educator
Image credit: Girls on board
What/who currently inspires you?
The ocean is my biggest inspiration.
What path did you choose after leaving school?
I became a graphic designer, producer, and underwater educator focused on ocean-minded projects.
Underwater image captured by Janna Guichet
What do you value most in life?
Freedom and love, for people and nature.
What would you most like to change in the world/environment today?
If the human vision/perspective of nature changed, and we realised that we are part of nature, we would change behaviours and awaken love and care for the planet. I think that's the root of the problem.
What brings you the most joy?
Being in the ocean.
What advice would you give to anyone looking to follow their dreams?
Connect with your heart and go.
