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How Animal Connections Inspire Art

Maker Spotlight: Kayleigh Castle

Where do you live?

Currently, I live in southwest Florida, where I was born and raised. In May 2017, I will graduate from Ringling College of Art & Design with a BFA in Illustration. While getting my Illustration degree, I have traveled to Denver Colorado to attend Rocky Mountain College of Art & Design and Florence, Italy to attend Studio Arts College International. I am grateful for the variety of insight I have gained over the years!

Where do you look for inspiration?

It finds me through every aspect of my daily life! Sunrise yoga accompanied by healthy vegan fruit smoothies, afternoon swimming to cleanse the soul, naps with my cats or playing with my corgis and taking reference pictures of their fluffy butts! The inspiration is inescapable.

And above all, the written word! I absolutely adore taking someone’s written words and turning them into a visual interpretation. When I can make a writer’s story come to life β€” that’s what is truly inspiring!

Does your art follow a theme or motif?

The main theme of my art work is to show the emotional side of animals. I have always connected with animals; I love them all. A vast majority of my artwork consists of cheerful animals to help people connect with them on a deeper level. Animals are not here simply for our pleasure β€” they all have a purpose!

In addition, I have been vegan for over 16 years, and I enjoy creating inspirational vegan artwork. I have worked closely with So Cal Corgi Beach Day and Vegan Publishers.

How does art challenge you?

Art can be more than just a challenge β€” I am simply unable to stop cute characters from consuming my mind. So, I vent them into my sketchbook; I consider it my “happy burden!”

What words do you live by?

“Make it less cute?” (said no one ever)


See more of Kayleigh Castle’s work on her website, and on her other social media:

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