Carlos Castrejon Solis
Born 1971, Veracruz, Mexico
Visual artist
Drawing, painting, sculpting, mixed media and site installation.
I find in my life daily opportunities to learn and absorb the many inspirations life gives me. I see art in almost any circumstance, place, person, and the surroundings seem to be full of them.
I intentionally look for more time to spend behind an easel or a drawing pad; to bring to the memory of the paper or the fabric those moments that capture my contemplation.
It seems like I set my mind in a different rhythm and I recall conversations or comments around my circle of work, family or friends. Routines are usually boring, but it is the moment in between the ones I like to gain and appropriate. I like to use multiple media, or materials to conceive works; My creative time is so valuable and intimate, I consider it as carrying a conversation with the art work.
I like to think that if my art work can connect with others is a plus, I feel the success after I finish an art piece, anything else after that is a benefit.
Mere words can be all I’m saying the absolute truth is that I struggle day by day to be free to continue the hard trail of been an artist, the intense work of creativity fulfill the minimal minutes that the day has shared.
Days come and go and my eyes look for more, this enormous universe full of sensibility welcomes my curiosity and with small frames I try to trap them all.
This very moment I call the perfect moment, the only moment to be and to exist.
From here and beyond the empty spaces and impulses of the conscience fill my mind with raw ideas, volatile images of my circumstances, and the possibility of an evolution through what has already been established.Ideas born in the midst of loneliness, with time disclosed to me the struggle and suffering of being distant, away from the familiar faces of my life. By necessity, by instinct, ingenuity rushed to live with my reality and brought me the infinite.
I cling to the pursuit of the interpretations of dreams, to recapture the innnocence drained from the impurity of the world and to summarize with forceful strokes, with a weave of brushes and paint, or any solid material thatwill withstand the visual power of the work while remaining sensitive to its nuances. Even more, I adhere with stubbornness to the filling of empty spaces with mental fragments.From here to there maybe I became another member of the unit that defendsthe color, the form, the texture, the composition of the ideal; I only dare to challenge the intellectual thought or the integration of the anonymous masses, without taking into account the risks of incurring the wrath of canvas.
Carlos Castrejon
Studio C Founder
Solo Exhibitions
Exposiciones Individuales
2024 Encuentros a 180 Grados, East County Art Gallery, San Diego
2024 Capturas, Studio C Gallery, San Diego
2024 Blanc and Noir, Le Barn East County San Diego
2020 Sobre la Brecha, Karin Carton Galerie, Los Angeles Ca.
2020 Sobre la Brecha, Studio C Gallery, San Diego Ca.
2019 Matizes San Carlos Library, San Carlos Ca.
2019 Hint, Studio C Gallery, San Diego Ca.
2019 Spring Harvest, Studio C Gallery, San Diego
2017 Spring Harvest, Studio C, El Cajon Ca.
2017 Metaforas del Alma, Pan E Vino. Tijuana Mexico
2014 White Canvases Studio C, San Diego Ca.
2014 Credo Studio C Liberty Station Point Loma CA.
2013 Boca Abajo/ Upside Down Studio C, Liberty Station Point Loma CA.
2013 Conciencia, Studio C Liberty Station, Point Loma CA.
2013 Cuarenta y Dos 42 San Diego Art Department, San Diego, CA.
2010 Un-natural Sophie’s Gallery, Liberty Station San Diego CA.
2003 Aire Libre Alpine Gallery, Alpine, CA.
2002 Mixtos Galería Claudia, Old Town San Diego, CA.
2001 Read San Carlos Library, San Diego, CA.
2000 Abstractions of Life, San Carlos Library, San Diego, CA.
1999 Color Conversation, San Carlos Library, San Diego, CA.
1997 Entre Pasos, Silver Creek Gallery, El Cajon, CA.
1996 Raíces, Cuyamaca College Gallery, San Diego, CA
1995 Pasajes, Cuyamaca College Gallery, San Diego, CA.
1995 Paisajes, Silver Creek Gallery, El Cajon, CA
1994 Integrations, Cuyamaca College Gallery, San Diego, CA
1994 Plurales, Silver Creek Gallery, El Cajon CA.
Group Exhibitions
2024 Gallery 21 Small Image Show
2024 Beginning SWCD Fallbrook Library
2023 WCD20, West Coast Drawing, CEART Tecate, BC
2023 Twenty Years with West Coast Drawing, IMAC, Tijuana, BC
2023 Twenty Years with West Coast Drawing Sahara West Library Gallery, Las Vegas, NV
2023 WCD Celebrating 20 Years Together Escondido Art Partnership Gallery
2023 WCD20 West Coast Drawing, Sahara West Library, Las Vegas Nv.
2023 The Future is Now, Avenue 50 Studio, Los Angeles, Ca.
2023 Paisaje Errante, Galería de la Ciudad, IMAC Tijuana, Mexico.
2023 Paisanos/USA, Sparks Gallery San Deigo, Ca
2023 Paisanos/USA, Sparks Gallery Tecate, Mexico
2022-23 Paisanos/España Comú de Particulars, Pobla de Segur España.
2022 West Coast Drawing C Note, Studio C San Diego, Ca.
2022 Arte Estandarte Fallbrook Library, Fallbrook Ca.
2022 Sea and Land Studio C, San Diego Ca.
2022 Paisanos en Aragón Bodegas del Castillo Maella, España.
2022 Paisanos USA Galería de la Ciudad IMAC, Tijuana, México.
2022 30th Annual Juried Exhibition Athenaeum La Jolla Library, Ca.
2022 A Tint of Red Studio C, San Diego, Ca.
2022 Intimate Views II Sip Gallery, San Marcos, Ca
2022 Garden Of Eden Studio C, San Diego, Ca.
2021 The Friend Collection Studio C, San Diego, Ca.
2021 Taiwan & USA International Art & Culture Exchange Exhibitions, Taichung City Port AA Center
2021 Paradise Studio C, San Diego, Ca.
2021 Taiwan/USA International Exhibition, Taichung City Seaport Art Center Taiwan.
2021 Cuatro Studio C, San Diego, Ca.
2020 Paisanos, Centro Estatal de las Artes, Mexicali, Mexico, Ca.
2020 La Vida Loca, Studio C Gallery, San Diego, Ca.
2020 Go Figure, Cuyamaca College, San Diego, Ca.
2020 Paisanos Mexico-USA-España, Palau Falguera Sant Feliu de Llobregat, España.
2019 In the Zone, Studio C Gallery, San Diego, Ca.
2019 Cuatro, Fallbrook Library, Fallbrook, Ca.
2019 Life/Death Muerte/Vida, Studio C Gallery, San Diego, Ca.
2019 Paisanos 100 Artists Jornadas Vizcainas, CECUT, Tijuana, Mexico.
2019 Abstract Elements, Studio C Gallery, San Diego, Ca.
2019 20th Annual Juried Exhibition, Athenaeum Music and Arts, La Jolla, Ca.
2019 Quark West Coast Drawing, LA Artcore Brewery Annex, Los Angeles, Ca.
2019 Charm West Coast Drawing, Union Center of the Arts, Los Angeles, Ca.
2019 Paisanos USA, Pain Sugar Gallery, Riverside, Ca.
2019 Paisanos, Centro Estatal de las Artes, Ensenada, Mexico.
2019 Paisanos, Centro Estatal de las Artes, Tecate, Mexico.
2019 Paisanos, Centro Estatal delas Artes, Tijuana, Mexico.
2018 Paisanos Mexico/USA CEART, Tecate Mexico.
2018 Paisanos Mexico/USA CEART, Rosarito Mexico
2018 Conversations Studio C Gallery, El Cajon Ca.
2018 Cascaras, Studio C Gallery, San Diego, Ca.
2018 Paisanos USA, Studio C Gallery, San Diego, Ca.
2018 Paisanos USA, Studio C El Cajon Ca.
2018 Sin Fronteras, Border X, San Diego Ca.
2018 Periodo, Bodegas de Santo Tomas, Ensenada Mexico
2018 Paisanos en Europa, Consulado de Mexico, Barcelona Espana.
2018 Drawing the Curtain, Lyceum Theater Gallery, San Diego Ca.
2018 Women as Heroes, Imperial Beach Library, Imperial Beach Ca.
2018 Paisanos, Vista Public Library, Vista Ca.
2018 Farm to Frame, Fallbrook Library Fallbrook Ca.
2018 The Image Speaks, Bonita Museum, Bonita Ca.
2018 Enter the Garden, Rancho San Diego Library, Rancho San Diego Ca.
2017 Paisanos Mexico, Studio C Gallery, San Diego, Ca.
2017 Madresitas, Studio C Gallery, El Cajon, Ca.
2017 Indegenous, Consulado de Mexico, San Bernandino Ca.
2017 Sin Fronteras, Galeria Jose Arroyo, Mexicali, BC Mexico
2017 Paisanos, Studio C & Gallery, El Cajon, Ca.
2017 Paisanos, Galeria Valencia, San Diego Ca.
2017 If you Live Here, Grossmont Hyde Art Gallery, El Cajon Ca.
2017 Al Interior, CEART Ensenada Mexico.
2017 Sin Limites, Cooperativa de Artistas Plasticos, Jose Garcia Arroyo Mexicali, Mx.
2017 Through the Eyes of the Artist, Studio Door Gallery, San Diego Ca.
2016 Paisanos, Valencia Gallery, San Diego, Ca.
2016 Madrecitas, Fallbrook Library Fallbrook Ca.
2016 New Works-New Space, Studio C Gallery, El Cajon, CA.
2016 Paisanos, Consulado de Mexico, Fresno, CA
2016 Paisanos, Consulado de Mexico, Santa Ana, CA.
2016 Indigenas, Centro Cultural de la Raza, San Diego Ca.
2016 Through the Eyes of The Artist, Studio Door Gallery, San Diego, CA.
2016 Paisanos, Consulado de Mexico San Bernandino, CA.
2016 East/West exhibit, Olaf Wieghorst Museum
2016 Paisanos, IMAC Tijuana B.C.
2015 Latin Art Exhibition, Fallbrook Library, Fallbrook Ca.
2015 Invitational, Olaf Wieghorst Museum El Cajon CA.
2015 Within the Shadows Studio C, San Diego CA.
2015 Nude Studio C San Diego, CA
2014 Diversity, Fallbrook CA.
2014 Voces, Bonita Museum, Bonita CA.
2014 San Diego Latin Film Festival SD. CA,
2013 Alive, 50/50 The Group, San Diego CA.
2013 Causes, San Diego Art Department, San Diego CA.
2013 Co~existence, Studio C at Liberty Station, San Diego CA.
2012 Cicatrix, Studio C at Liberty Station, San Diego, CA.
2012 No Apparent Function, San Diego Art Department, San Diego CA.
2012 International Black and White Exhibit, Studio C Gallery, El Cajon, CA
2012 Latinamerican Art Exhibit, Fallbrook Gallery, Fallbrook, CA.
2012 Des-Hechos Colectiva Instituto Municipal de Arte y Cultura, Casa de Cultura Playas Tijuana B.C.
2011 Troika, Jett Gallery, San Diego, CA.
2011 Urban Art, Kensington Gallery, San Diego, CA.
2011 Continuos Art Show, San Diego Art Institute, San Diego, CA.
2011 Des-Hechos Colectiva Instituto de Cultura de Baja California Centro Estatal de las Artes, Ensenada B.C. México.
2011 Continuos Art Show, San Diego Art Institute, San Diego, CA.
2011 Invitational Art Exhibit, Sophie’s Gallery El Cajon, CA.
2011 Des-Hechos Colectiva, Studio C Gallery, El Cajon, CA.
2011 First Invitational, Studio C Gallery, El Cajon, CA.
2011 Conversión, Studio C Gallery, El Cajon Ca.
2011 ‘Nseen Site-specific Exhibition, Studio C Gallery, El Cajon, CA.
2011 OUTSIDE-IN, site-specific installation, JETT Gallery, San Diego, CA.
2010 Ruins, 50/50 The Group, Issue#2, Studio C Gallery, El Cajon, CA.
2010 Invitational Art Exhibit, Sophie’s Gallery, El Cajon, CA.
2010 San Diego Art Fair 2010, SD Space4Art, San Diego, CA.
2010 Suspended, La Mezcla Art Studio, San Diego, CA.
2010 Mitosis, 50/50 The Group, Issue#1, Union Bank, San Diego, CA.
2009 1st. Invitational, St. Claire Gallery, El Cajon CA.
2009 Cuyamaca College Fine Art Exhibition, San Diego, CA.
2009 Inaugural Exhibition, National City Museum, National City CA.
2009 Cuyamaca College Fine Art Exhibition, San Diego, CA.
2008 Group Show, St. Claire Gallery, El Cajon, CA.
2008 Duo Show, Fleetwood, San Diego, CA.
2007 3th Quarter, The Julian Gallery, Julian CA.
2007 Cuyamaca College Fine Art Exhibition, San Diego CA.
2006 International Competition Award Show, San Diego Art Institute, San Diego, CA.
2006 Heritage Days, Olaf Wieghorst Museum, El Cajon, CA.
2005 50/50 The Group, Elementals, Silver Creek Gallery El Cajon, CA.
2005 INC Annual Art Exhibit, Anaheim CA.
2005 Inaugural Exhibition, Julian Gallery, Julian, CA.
2004 50/50 The Group, Introduction, Cuyamaca College, San Diego, CA.
2004 INC Annual Art Exhibit, Anaheim, CA.
2002 Art and Poetry, National City, CA.
2001 Art and Poetry, Spring Valley, CA.
1998 International Friendship Festival, San Diego, CA
1997 International Friendship Festival, San Diego, CA
1996 International Friendship Festival, San Diego, CA
Public Work
2011-2012 Mural Orange Fields, Main St. El Cajon Ca.
2010 Mural Bougainvilleas, Main St, El Cajon CA.
2008 A Better Community Group Mural, El Cajon, CA.
2006 The International Cow Parade, La Jolla, CA
2004-2006 Utility Boxes Project San Diego Region
Galleries and Representation
Studio C Gallery
Art Fairs
2014 Harbor Fest
2013 Harbor Fest
1999 Cinco de Mayo Art Festival
1999 Magnolia Festival
1998 International Friendship Festival
1997 Santa Ysabel Art Festival
1997 International Friendship Festival
1996 Santa Ysabel Art Festival
1996 International Friendship Festival
1995 Magnolia Festival
Publications
Ars Luma Art Magazine February, 2013.
The Califonian
http://www.eccalifornian.com/search/node/love%2C%20heritage%20and%20artistic%20freedom
The Californian
Co~existence The Nomad Project
Alla Prima
Education
Painting and Figure Drawing Cuyamaca College
Drawing Cuyamaca College
Sculpture Mehl Lawson Studio
Teaching Experience
FARM Creative Market and Art School Point Loma Ca.
Sophie’s Gallery Painting and Drawing Workshops
Jamul Elementary School
Jamul Junior High Elementary
Figure Drawing Workshop SDAI
Introduction to Painting Studio C Gallery
Painting and Drawing Silver Creek Gallery
Associations
Paisanos World
West Coast Drawing Group
50/50 The Group
Gallery and Curating Experience
Director and Curator at Studio C Gallery
www.studioc.gallery
Art Links
Ligas Artisticas
www.castrejonart.com
http://linkedin.com/in/carlos-castrejon-1144072b
https://www.facebook.com/pages/Studio-C/251622021631116?ref=hl
https://www.facebook.com/pages/Nomad-Project/129515373866546?ref=hl
Instagram: studioc_castrejonart