SUNSET
This piece represents three different generations of African women from the Maasai tribe clapping to the sunset.
The viewer, while listening to the music, can witness the movement ofthe women clapping their hands.
Suggested Soundtrack: Clara Nunes - Canto das Tres Racas (Chant ofthe Three Races)
Acrylic on canvas, 60”x72”, Samba series
As the viewers sway their eyes in a counter-clockwise motion, they experience the movement of the women, plants and fish within a surreal underwater environment.
Suggested Soundtrack: Samba or Trance music
Acrylic on canvas, 48”x72” inches, Samba series
Poente da Vida represents mother Earth as a Native woman carrying our planet in her belly. The continents can be seen as marks on her body. She prays for clarity and shows the path that humans need to take. The golden key is provided on the path for us to unlock our future. The lightbulbs in the sky suggest light, energy and good ideas coming from the Universe.
Suggested Soundtrack: Cesaria Ever - Mae Velha (Old Mother)
Acrylic on canvas,84”x 60”, Samba series
The scissors represent the carving and pruning we have to do on our own selves to allow our flowers bloom again.
Suggested Soundtrack: Moby.
Acrylic on canvas, 72”x48” , Sumba series
The lyrics of Vai Passar by Chico Buarque inspired the creation of this piece. The painting illustrates Carnaval, the biggest art festival in Brazil.While the citizens are distracted by the beauty of the festivities, the powerful steal their “bicycles.” The public is portrayed as penguins blind to injustices.
Suggested soundtrack: Chico Buarque - Vai Pasar Acrylic on canvas, 48”x60”, Samba series
Dancer
This painting was inspired by Isadora Duncan (1877-1927), who revolutionized the art of dance at the turn of the twentieth century. Being the pioneer of modern dance, she created controversy by ignoring the techniques of classical ballet and improvising modern dance movements inspired by natural phenomena such as plants, animals, wind, rain, and so on. Lightweight clothing, loose hair and bare feet were part of her style as a professional dancer who, unlike her contemporaries, chose to perform to Chopin.
Isadora was killed while riding in a Bugatti 35, the first-ever-made convertible, when her scarf was caught in one of the wheels and she was strangled. In the painting “Dancer,” her spirit can be vividly seen dancing to the rhythm of Chopin’s The Nocturnes, Op. 9. Optical illusion of a third dimension as well as movement and poetry are created through repetition, color, and uncommon use of the principles of perspective.
Suggested soundtrack: Chopin - The Nocturnes, Op. 9
Acrylic on Canvas, 48”x72”, Soul Series
This painting portrays Saint George charging against the dragon with a simple leaf of the Espada de Sao Jorge (St. George’s sword). The dragon, characterized by the geometric shapes, is a representation of our negative self, while Saint George himself represents our positive side. Although Saint George is in the desert with no weapons, the power of his faith gives him the strength to kill the dragon with just a leaf. This symbolizes our own individual fights against our own demons, who will eventually lose.
Suggested Soundtrack: Clara Nunes - Canto das Tres Racas (Chant ofthe Three Races)
Acrylic on Canvas, 44’x66” , Soul Series
“This painting was inspired by Arlington West, a temporary memorial on the sand in Santa Monica set up every Sunday by Veterans for Peace. Crosses are placed on the sand to commemorate US soldiers killed in the Iraq war & quotas a way to acknowledge the costs and consequences of the addiction to war as an instrument of international policy & quot; (quote from Veterans for Peace).
The artwork is a poem about hope and carries a strong message for peace. It illustrates a young woman named Esperança (Hope), who lost her fiance in the war and is looking for his cross to leave him a rose. The heart on her necklace represents her lost love. Because of the pain she has suffered, in her eyes the beauty of the ocean is as dry as a desert.
However, she simultaneously leaves the rose and her sorrow behind. Despite the tears in her eyes, one can also see a glimpse of hope and happiness. Optimism is further suggested by the saxophones, the balloon as well as the vibrant colors. Esperança is meant to represent all of us by literally changing before our eyes from a white into a Black and then an Asian woman, depending on the amount of light the painting is exposed to. When listening to the suggested song, one can observe her walk among the crosses.
*Part of the proceeds of this original painting will go towards various international peace movements
Suggested Soundtrack: Moby - Extreme Ways Acrylic on Canvas, 48”x72”, Soul Series
“Paz”
Rio de Janeiro is a marvelous city that is known for more than its extraordinary beauty and exuberant pop culture. Urban violence is a problem that is recognized and spoken of worldwide. This painting illustrates the Sambistas (Samba dancers) releasing white doves in synchronicity. Cristo Redentor (Christ the Redeemer) is seen emanating peace signs through his hands, to the entire universe.
Suggested Soundtrack: Francisco Alves and Dalva De Oliveira - Brasil
Acrylic on Canvas, 48”x72”, Soul Series
.
Acrylic on canvas, 60 x 36 inches
Watercolor Mixed, 30 x 18 inches
Mixed Media, 20 x 26 inches
Watercolor Mixed 30 x 23 inches
Mixed Media, 30 x 40 inches
Mixed Media, 30 x 40 inches
Watercolor Mixed, 30 x 23 inches
Mixed Media, 24 x 17 inches
Mixed Media, 10 x 13 inches
Watercolor, 22 x 30 inches
Watercolor 22 x 30 inches
Watercolor 22 x 30 inches
Watercolor 22 x 30 inches
Watercolor 22 x 30 inches
Watercolor 22 x 30 inches
Daniel and the Lions is more than just a painting, it is a new way to experience art. It is painted and built in a way that depending on the light, the image can be completely different. From a beautiful skecth-style black and white with Daniel and the Lions and all the spiritual meaning of the original story to an alive circus of rich colors, changing completely the way you can experience it.
It was built to get natural light from behind the canvas, so the owner can have the full experience throughout the day and make a statement about having a rich experience without the need of digital technoly.
The black and white version of this artwork evokes the desperation and agony that Daniel goes through while being thrown into the den of lions. But at the same time he is receiving from God, through the spirals on the left, the power necessary to avoid becoming lions’ prey. That power proceeds to blind the king of the pride and the lionesses. The spiral that Daniel is standing on alludes to California’s earthquakes, signifying the concept that there’s always something that we need to watch out for. Downtown Los Angeles can be seen as a crown above the lion’s head and Thornton Tower in Venice on the left. As the amount of light that the painting is exposed to changes, the color, entertainment and beauty of a circus appear. Three elephants and three women that accompany them are now apparent. They illustrate the power and importance of a woman, symbolized by the physical power of the elephants over the lions. The clown on the unicycle represents that one person we all know who is funny, but whose tricks (such as his current juggling of the three spheres) can be confusing at times. The arm through which Daniel initially received his power from God can now be seen releasing the three white peace doves in an act of reciprocity. The overall meaning of the piece is that one has to give in order to receive.
Suggested Soundtrack: Vivaldi - The Four Seasons. Acrylic and pencil on canvas, 72”x60”, illuminessence series
The simplicity of this piece gives the viewer time and space to take a deep breath. It strives to merge Venice and Rio de Janeiro by placing the pattern of Copacabana besides the Brothers Hills and against the Malibu horizon. As the direction of the light hitting the canvas changes, a vivid, three-dimensional eye appears in the center of the piece. It breaks through the elegance and the minimalism of the black and white version of the canvas to create an experience that has previously been featured on Star Trek.
Suggested Soundtrack: Psyfactor - Realiens
Acrylic on canvas, 70”x46”, illuminessence series
The predominant shape throughout this piece is a triangle. The three corners stand for intelligence, technology and environment, which are the cornerstones to the key provided for us by Mother Earth. We are urged to connect the dots between the corners in order to avoid our current apocalyptic predicament. That gloomy version of our future is illustrated by the grayness of the image when viewed during night time, emphasized by the red fire on the mountain. However, during the day that same image becomes full of color, and it portrays a beautiful, healthy, colorful and happy world, with an ocean full of fish, green grass, blue sky and sun shining. This optimistic version is still possible.
Suggested Soundtrack: Psyfactor - Realiens
Acrylic on canvas, 60”x36”, illuminessence series
The predominant shape throughout this piece is a triangle. The three corners stand for intelligence, technology and environment, which are the cornerstones to the key provided for us by Mother Earth. We are urged to connect the dots between the corners in order to avoid our current apocalyptic predicament. That gloomy version of our future is illustrated by the grayness of the image when viewed during night time, emphasized by the red fire on the mountain. However, during the day that same image becomes full of color, and it portrays a beautiful, healthy, colorful and happy world, with an ocean full of fish, green grass, blue sky and sun shining. This optimistic version is still possible.
Suggested Soundtrack: Psyfactor - Realiens
Acrylic on canvas, 60”x36”, illuminessence series
This piece represents the connection between humans, animals, plants and angels. The image on the canvas changes from a black and white pencil drawing that lacks vibrancy to a colorful, idyllic farmland where the angel provides food for all. In the background is portrayed DCastro’s grandmother’s house, where his father was born. The inspiration for this artwork was the song Saudade da Minha Terra (I Miss My Homeland), by famous Brazilian composer Goia, who was born in DCastro’s hometown of Coromandel.
Suggested Soundtrack: Goia - Saudade da Minha Terra. Acrylic and pencil on canvas, 60”x48”, illuminessence series
The art experience of this piece starts off with a black and white image depicting eleven persons sitting around a table that holds an oversized goblet overflowing with water. The people at the table have a surprisingly similar look, which depicts just one person, suggesting our unity. The head of the table is occupied by a large iris that represents our spirituality as a third eye. The piece is more than a painting, it stands as a spiritual poem centered around the spiral above, which represents the egg of Virgin Mary. Overall, the pencil drawing looks unfinished and illustrates the world Before Christ.
As the amount of light that the black and white drawing is exposed to changes, the piece comes alive with color and light. The sperm of God, represented by the shooting star, penetrates Virgin Mary’s egg and consequently Christ appears at the head of the table. The piece becomes complete, illustrating the abundance of life After Christ. The viewer witnesses the water transforming into wine and overflowing out of the holy grail, as well as the fish multiplying. One of the persons at the table is giving away his fish, leaving his plate empty. Another one accepts the fish, because he needs it more. We have to give to receive.
The scene takes place underneath the olive trees, where Christ was betrayed. But this piece holds no judgement, because we are all one, and if we didn’t betray someone else, we might betray ourselves. In the sky we can see the twelve constellations of the zodiac. We are all the same, what makes us different is not the color of our skin, but the day that we were born.
The two persons in the foreground are looking into each other’s eyes, as if they are in love, but we need to be aware, as it can also be our ego, selfishness or narcissism represented by the beautiful, enticing apple in the snake’s mouth. The apple might masquerade as Christ’s heart, which is pure love. The crucifixion is depicted on the left hill, while the white dove flying from Christ’s heart represents his resurrection.
The ultimate immersive experience takes place when the viewers take a seat about two feet away from the artwork. It is from this location that they participate in the supper and the number of persons at the table finally reaches the prophesied number of thirteen.
Suggested Soundtrack: Beethoven - Silence
Acrylic and pencil on Canvas, 76”x64”, illuminessence series
This painting portrays Thornton Tower, a historical Venice landmark that was built in 1910. It illustrates snippets of Venice history that took place between then and now, from Abbot Kinney’s time starting in 1905 with the camels and the trains, to the times that both Charlie Chaplin and Isadora Duncan spent in Venice, to its annexation by the city of Los Angeles in 1925 and the subsequent oil wells that can be spotted on the horizon.
This piece changes from black and white to color depending on how much light it is exposed to. When viewed in black and white, the gradation on the windows suggests piano keys in motion, which start to move when Bach’s Cello starts playing in the background. On the other hand, when viewed in color, the palette is reminiscent of early 1900s colorized postcards.
Suggested Soundtrack: Bach - Cello
Acrylic on Canvas, 60”x48”, illuminessence Series
Acrylic on canvas 41”x53”
Acrilic on canvas 41”x53”.
The Renaissance masters’ efforts to illustrate luminosity in their masterpieces is perfected and surpassed by DCastro in this piece (as well as the other pieces in the illuminessence series) through an original, unconventional, and organic use of natural sunlight. When the sun rises in the morning, the color of the palm trees changes from white to black, the sky shifts from red to blue, and the colorless air balloons shimmer. The artwork depicts the deep, red hues with the golden accents and the contrast, as well as the fluidity of movement, so sought after by the masters.
The view offered by the balcony of the Getty Center encompasses thequintessential movement of the Los Angeles palm trees, the golden ocean and snow-capped mountains, as well as the unmistakable contour of Downtown and Century City. In the distance, one is encouraged to mistake Catalina island for Mont Fuji.
Suggested Soundtrack: Bjork - Come to Me
Acrylic on canvas, 51”x39”