MY STORY–
I was born and raised in Elmhurst, IL and never left. After graduating York High School I attended the American Academy of Art in Chicago earning a degree in graphic design. Working in advertising for 5 years I realized I hated it. So I put down the keyboard and picked up a paintbrush.
After my first child was born I was fortunate to be able to stay at home to raise my two wonderful and talented children. This also gave me the opportunity to work on my own art and develop into the artist I am today. I create in a wide range of mediums but my true love is creating pieces from found objects that I rescue from estate sales and thrift stores. I incorporate these once-loved treasures into my paintings, sculptures, jewelry and clothing.
EXHIBITIONS
COLLECTION
National Portrait Gallery, Outwin 2022
Donna Castellanos creates artworks using found objects that have been appreciated, things with history. Bertha, I’d like to know where you got the notion is a portrait of her grandmother, who was born in a small town in Missouri in 1917. When Bertha was young, she worked at a sewing factory installing zippers. The love of textiles and needlecraft has passed down through the generations, to the artist’s mother and aunts, and to Castellanos, who collectively stitched this homage.
Made entirely with zippers, pins, threads, buttons, knitting needles, and other “sewing notions” that the artist fastened onto fabric, this portrait plays with the idea of a coquette elderly woman who possesses her own notions or inclinations. While portrayed in a home interior, Bertha is anything but domesticated or passive. With silver swirling curls, breasts made of pin cushions, and a lit cigarette resting in an ashtray, she stands assertively, accompanied by her cat.
Fabric, zippers, pin cushions, snaps, paper packaging, knitting needles, and other sewing notions, 2020
Collection of the artist
Vintage dictionary, encyclopedia, anatomy book covers and light switches.
24” x 45” x 3"
NFS
Photo Credit: The Adomkovi
