Artist Biography:

Jessie Castillo- Kastle Artwork

kastleart@gmail.com

At the age of fourteen, during my youth and teenage years living in Venice and Santa Monica, CA; I always seen graffiti art and murals. Once I seen it, I knew it was something I definitely wanted to do. Graffiti art became an addiction for me though. For over five years, I painted graffiti on walls, buses, freeways, and trains. It was a lot of risk and a lot of fun until I got older and had a job and focused more on my goals I realized that I cannot risk being arrested and my life anymore for my art.

At the age of sixteen, my little sister and I were placed in the foster care system. I was placed multiple times in my life. When I painted my name on the wall, developing my skills, graffiti helped me to escape from the dysfunction that I had to live in. Graffiti helped me be free, and helped me figure out where I am in life. It was my therapy. At the age of eighteen, I emancipated from the foster care system and started to live on my own. I realized that I had talent as an artist and I also realized that I cannot be going out at night and putting all this effort into my art work, and I'm not getting the right recognition for it. That’s when I started painting on canvases. Within a year of painting on canvas I got into my first group art show and saw art in a different perspective, and had more appreciation for other types of art. I have not yet attended an art school and do not plan on going to school for art. I have created my own style and I feel that is what being an artist is all about. Now that I have stopped painting illegally I can still do what I love and show my work to more people, and even do murals, network and see where my art takes me. It is such an amazing positive impact art has made for me. To see how I progressed into a real artist!

I used to do graffiti art, that is where it all started for me, but as I got older and became an adult I realized that I have a talent and that art is my passion and something I will never stop doing. I needed to make a change and start doing my art work in a more positive way. I don't ever want to have a record or get busted for graffiti, because the best weapon people can use against these so called people that are suppose to protect and serve is by not having a record. Now I just focus on canvas developing different styles and techniques in my art; describing my feelings and life into my paintings. It is a beautiful feeling to sell my art to people who really enjoy it. My perspective and thought in my art is that I want it to be liked and appreciated by everyone not just other graffiti artist; also I want to stand out amongst other artist. So far that has been happening for me. Thank you God for giving me this gift!

Thank you very much for reading this and if you would like to speak to me please feel free, take care.