Today we’d like to introduce you to Urban Castro.
Hi Urban, we’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
I was born and raised in Wisconsin in the early 80’s. I’ve always been super interested in the visual arts, music and music videos. I grew up with my eyes glued to MTV and just really loved hearing all of this cool new music and the imagery that went with it. I really wanted to be a music video director. Throughout elementary and junior high school I was often zoned out during class doodling in my notebooks. By the time I had graduated high school, I had always been encouraged to pursue the conventional path of post-high school education, start a career, have a family, etc.
In college, I briefly re-explored art and painting in particular. I started painting with acrylics and that began my journey as an artist, painting mostly as a hobby and creative outlet from my professional life. My career presented me with many opportunities and took me from Minneapolis to Chicago, and eventually to DFW in 2011.
By 2015 I was participating in and producing my own independent art shows in Dallas.
In 2022, in the midst of the pandemic, my 14-year professional career came to a crashing end. I spent the next 16 months doing some self-deconstruction and decided that I would use this second chance at a new beginning to focus more intentionally on my art.
Lately, I’ve been focusing on commissions. I’ve had great fortune to have some success with my O.P.P (Other People’s Pets) series. My dog, Jordy, is my best friend and is such a critical presence in my life. It brings me extreme pleasure to bring joy to people’s lives with unique portraits of their pets. I’ve also been partnering with other artists on projects and working on two new collections that I hope to premiere in 2023. Check out my Instagram @urbancastro or contact me at urbancastro@gmail.com.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way? Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
Being an independent artist definitely has its challenges. You need to have ways and means to accomplish your hopes and dreams. I am currently unable to fund my own art shows and so building a more diverse portfolio is something I’m constantly working on in an effort to more effectively market myself to gallery curators.
I consider myself to be an alternative artist as well. The aesthetic and the subject matter of my art tends to not always align with the general vibe or style of other artists I do group events with. I am inspired by the human experience subject matter that is universally understood, but perhaps never discussed in a meaningful way with the people we love. I was raised Catholic in a somewhat conservative environment, so I paint about my upbringing, religion, politics, social commentary and mental health.
I also don’t produce prints which isn’t always the best approach for showing work in non-gallery settings so I rely on sales of original works on canvas.
That being said, all of these factors motivate me to keep working and strengthening my craft. I’ve learned that I have to be my biggest advocate and to go with my intuition a bit more instead of enabling external factors to influence my decisions. On my journey, I’ve also had the great fortune of meeting so many other talented artists and musicians in my community that inspire me.
As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about what you do?
I am an acrylic painter. I’m known for my distinct aesthetic, use of bold colors and subject matter. I do very well with commissioned pet portraits under my O.P.P (Other People’s Pet’s) series.
I am most proud of the feedback I receive directly from the public. It is so amazing how art can reach and touch people in ways that I as the artist never thought about or intended. It is like speaking a special language in that way.
I would say that my alternative approach to subject matter and style are what set me apart from my contemporaries.
What was your favorite childhood memory?
I consider this one of my biggest childhood memories, not necessarily my favorite but it always comes to mind when I think about significant childhood moments. When I was six or seven, my mother was driving my older brother and I to tae-kwon-do class. I can remember staring out the window at the wheels of the semi-truck next to us getting closer and closer. After spinning several times, I can recall the car being upright and looking out the window seeing my brother laying in the middle of the highway with a man directing traffic around him. I looked out the front and my mom was lying unconscious on the side of the highway with a crowd of adults forming around her. Then I heard a knock on my window and unlocked the child-locked door and unbuckled my seatbelt. A woman dressed in all white pulled me out of the car and picked me up and held me until ambulances arrived. I remember her presence being very gentle and comforting. I wondered if she was an angel. I assume she was a medical professional on her way home from work. My brother and mother both survived and are alive and well. It may seem morbid on the surface but her warm presence and energy in that moment was something that has always stuck with me in a positive way.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/urbancastro/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/UrbanCastro/
