PORTFOLIO | Castanette Fine Art

youth

Art flows through both sides of Andrea’s family, and from an early age, she was encouraged to cultivate her natural artistic abilities. Growing up immersed in painting and drawing, Andrea’s talent was further nurtured during high school under the mentorship of Judy Vogland, a renowned Oregon artist. Judy’s teaching style provided students with a wealth of hands-on experiences and valuable exposure to a range of artistic media, expanding Andrea’s understanding of the art world. As a teenager, Andrea began traveling internationally, which deepened her passion for art. Her time spent in Paris was especially formative, where she explored iconic museums and observed the work of masters like Picasso, the Impressionists, and Rodin, which left a lasting impact on her artistic journey.

switzerland

After graduating high school, Andrea moved to Geneva, Switzerland, where she lived for two years, working as a nanny while traveling across Europe. During this time, she attended language and art classes in the evenings, producing the life drawing series featured here. This series is regarded as a cornerstone of her artistic foundation -- showcasing her classical skills in figure drawing and reflecting her dedication to mastering the human form.

college years

Andrea studied Fine Art at Portland State University, alongside French and Spanish Language and Literature. During her studies, she began working as a professional artist, creating murals and drawing portraits for private clients. Her academic journey also included a year in Spain, where she immersed herself in the works of artists like Goya, Dalí, and Miró. Additionally, Andrea spent summers in Mexico, where she studied the Mexican Muralist movement. Throughout her college years, Andrea faced significant personal challenges, including a period of depression. Her darker works from this time serve as a powerful reminder of what she has overcome. These experiences have profoundly shaped her as an artist and as a person, instilling in her a deep empathy and the ability to recognize and support others who are struggling.

goddesses

The Feminine Divine has been a central theme in Andrea’s work since her early 20s. She strives to capture the strength and depth of the feminine spirit through her depictions of Goddesses. In her recent work, she explores the duality of femininity—its portrayal as both a source of power and purity, yet often perceived as evil. Through these pieces, she encourages viewers to question and challenge societal perceptions of gender.

abstract explorations

In her recent work, Andrea adopts an art therapy approach, aiming to create art that is healing, meditative, and free from ego. Her abstract pieces are created with a sense of playful freedom, as she embraces the idea of setting aside rules and expectations, allowing her to "play like a child." This approach is collaborative, often involving friends in the creation of pieces, resulting in a rich variety of techniques and styles. Some of her abstract works are so striking in their initial form that she chooses not to alter them, while others evolve into playful explorations of shape and form, akin to looking at clouds and discovering new shapes. Her pieces range from completely abstract to more representational and illustrative, demonstrating her versatility and willingness to experiment with different artistic expressions.

CFA

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