© 2007 David Castro, Mindscape #5, mixed media on canvas (52â€� x 36â€�)
David Castro is committed to endowing others with the same skill and enthusiasm that helped him develop by working as both a teaching and studio assistant. Diagnosed with bipolar disorder at age 19, he began creating artwork while hospitalized and, when he returned home, used art supplies left over from his childhood to continue creating. Although Castro focuses mainly on highly texturized and organic paintings, he has explored many techniques and media, from digital video to metalsmithing. He achieved the texture of his Mindscape series by layering oil paint onto a base of latex paint with various natural objects, such as earth and cotton fiber. For Castro, each of his works of art serves as a snapshot of one particular moment of his journey: “Art keeps me grounded and balanced. It gives me a place to release energy and emotions in a constructive manner.” Castro studied at the College of the Sequoias in Visalia, California, and is completing a dual degree in fine art and history at the University of California, Santa Cruz.
