We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Kris Castilon a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.

Kris, appreciate you joining us today. Has your work ever been misunderstood or mischaracterized?

Years ago, I felt very misunderstood by a lot of people in my life. Specific people who I considered close friends, in their defense I think maybe I didn’t understand myself either? I was only nineteen then and now I’m twenty-three, the feeling I grasped that day has yet to leave my side, it grows more quiet by the seasons, I’ve always had a huge heart for undeniable connections. Losing them in particular, people I spent time with almost everyday for over a year, to nothing. It was a lesson that lead me, to treating those I cherish like treasure and letting go of anything that causes chaos. Feeling this emotion of loss and loneliness would have been more torturing, if it wasn’t for making art in my free time. Creating collages, composites, and taking photographs that gave me purpose again, that make me feel something, that would maybe someday make someone else feel something too.

Kris, love having you share your insights with us. Before we ask you more questions, maybe you can take a moment to introduce yourself to our readers who might have missed our earlier conversations?

My name is Kristen Castilon and I am alive because of expression through mediums of the arts. One medium that has helped the most in particular, is storytelling through photography. In-which I composite,( compositing is stitching different photographs together onto one canvas.) Making the impossible, possible. Proving that there are no limits to a vision, the only limit is yourself. I just graduated with my bachelors in commercial photography from Nossi College Of Arts in August and this is the first month I can say, I proudly made enough income off of my art to pay my bills. For the first time in my entire life and it is truly unbelievable, but that’s the thing, you just have to keep believing. Take care of whatever keeps you alive, whatever keeps you going, whatever helps you through your day. I offer commission work and also sell prints of pieces I’ve created as well as creative photoshoots, I’ll always create, it’s just a part of me and who I am. I’m so thankful I have enough courage to be vulnerable enough to share, because art is deep and it isn’t for everyone.

In your view, what can society to do to best support artists, creatives and a thriving creative ecosystem?

Believe in them before their name is well-known, support artists who metaphorically touch you.

We’d love to hear a story of resilience from your journey.

Losing my father in January of 2021 and living everyday since then, has built an unbelievable resilience in my art. After his death I became disconnected from reality, my life stood still and all I had was sadness to sink into. Until he started visiting me in my dreams and that was my escape, how I could still hold onto someone who wasn’t there anymore. Grief takes surrendering and laying yourself down to rest and adapt to change of loss.

Contact Info:

• Instagram: dreaaambabykrisartoutlet

Image Credits
copyright: Kristen Castilon