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Artist Statement
"Growing up in the Bronx, New York, from birth to about 12 years old, I've seen a lot of graffiti art that adorned buildings and subways. I have always admired and enjoyed these artists who have created such beautiful puzzling typography. Because of my influential visual experiences, I always create vibrant, loud, and colorful images...
I love applying oil and using enamel to my paintings. I also enjoy using acrylic, which I recently discovered in my art career. Aside from watching Bob Ross on TV as a 5 year old child, I am completely self-taught who simply loves to create art. I breathe, see, touch, feel, and wear art. Art is my oxygen."
Biography
Pete Castro who goes by his brand name "CastroART" was born in a Manhattan hospital in New York City and raised in the Bronx from ages 0 - 12. At age 12 his parents moved him and his family from gritty New York to sunny beachside San Diego, California. It was a huge culture shock for Pete from east coast to west coast life. But art was there to ease the transition. Pete sketched all of the time. And when it came time to meet new people. As he put it "Art made it easy for me to connect with people." Pete was this shy kid from New York when he entered San Diego's middle school. One day Pete sat in class and drew Bart Simpson and Vanilla Ice. Immediately, kids surrounded his desk praising his drawing skills. From that day on Pete was a popular kid.
Before moving to San Diego, back when Pete lived in the Bronx, art influence was everywhere. He saw graffiti art adorning New York's brick buildings and subway trains. Pete grew up admiring these graffiti artists that created such vibrant puzzling typography. As a child Pete, admired Bob Ross who he watched on TV instead of watching cartoons. Sketching for most of life, one day Pete decided to try oil painting in his late 20's. Immediately he became a natural. With no fomral art school or training, Pete painted every day. By his late thirties, Pete began posting his paintings on social media. The response just blew up. He immediately began receiving price requests and followers grew to the thousands.
Today Pete lives in Las Vegas Nevada and creates art full time. His paintings can be found adorning the walls of CastroART fans across the United States including Puerto Rico. On his off time, Pete enjoys giving back to the Las Vegas community. He has donated a lot of his time and artwork for worthy causes. Goodie Two Shoes in Las Vegas which outfits 10,000 underprivileged children each year, Fox5 SOS drive which provides school supplies to disadvantaged children, and many other worthy causes that CastroART has put his talent and heart into. It is his convictions for the love of art that makes him paint daily. "Art is my oxygen" declares Pete.
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