Whitney Castro Raised in the Santa Cruz mountains, Whitney Castro enjoyed a childhood of artistic and playful freedom. From a young age, she identified as an artist, exploring shapes and colors with a childlike curiosity that she continues to bring to her work today. As a painter of minimalist portraits, Whitney is now inspired by the female presence found in the abundant expressions of gender in our world. “As I experience it, feminine energy is such a physical place of safety and strength and my pieces attempt to capture that through very simple shapes, forms and colors,” she says. Each piece in her original series, The Word Woman, is named “woman” in a different language, from Hawaiian to Polish, Portuguese, Danish, and more. “However, as my pieces have evolved (and I run out of languages) I find myself naming them after women I don't know but I know exist out there — fictional to me, real to someone,” Whitney explains.
She creates pieces that can exist calmly within a space, bringing a moment of serenity among the beautiful chaos of a well-lived life. Whitney’s paintings and prints (and commission request information) can be found online at whitneycastro. com, with select pieces available at Serena and Lily. whitneycastro.com | IG: @whitney___castro
Courtney Seabrooks By approaching each blank canvas the way a child would — totally free — Oceanside-based artist Courtney Seabrooks has developed a unique style that radiates raw, positive energy. Abstract shapes and neutral colors are abundant in her sustainable canvas paintings, created using clay, natural paints, and recycled materials to carry the message of care, intention, and connection. “Right now, [my inspiration] is the warmth of the sun with summer just around the corner and the way the sunlight dances and glitters on the surface of the
ocean,” Courtney says. Her sources of inspiration change daily, from the earth’s natural lines to different textures and forms she sees around her. It’s a style resulting from years spent practicing the mechanical and technical aspects of painting, and studying the philosophies of artists like Ruth Asawa, Helen Frankenthaler, and Frida Kahlo. “Nowadays, I try to go into a painting completely free from the influence of everything I’ve seen before and try to create a new experience for myself and the collector. “...I’m working on a large, 48-by-48-inch abstract piece right now that is beginning to look like so many things. I’m enjoying it because my daughter keeps telling me what she sees in it and I keep getting inspired by what she points out.” Find Courtney’s work at Strange House, her online home for original paintings and stock lists. She also accepts commission requests here, collaborating closely with clients to create everything from canvas and paper works to large-scale abstract pieces, indoor murals and sculptures. strangehouse.shop | IG: @the.strange.house
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