More formally he graduated with a degree in Commercial Art from California State University at Fresno in the hometown where he grew up.
While working in the family business, he began oil painting and had some limited success with one of his works juried into The Society Of Western Artists Biennial in San Francisco, CA. He left the family business in 1995 and began a long career as an Illustrator, Inventor, and Toy Designer.
In 2022 at his wife’s gentle nudging he began Oil Painting again. It took a bit of time to get the rust off the brushes, but on just his 2nd painting he hit success, when his 1st still life, titled “Bowl of Lemons” was juried into NOAPS’ Best of America Small Works International Exhibition 2023 and took An Award of Excellence. It’s now in a private collection in Germany.
His next still life, titled “Ladies, We Have A Visitor” was juried into NOAPS’ Associate Member Online Exhibition 2023. It resides in a private collection as well.
In 2023 he applied for membership to IGOR, International Guild of Realism. They reviewed the still life paintings that he sent them and said: “Congratulations! Our membership committee was quite impressed with your artwork and résumé. You certainly represent the style of artwork we seek to promote through museum exhibitions, gallery shows, and marketing articles. Therefore, we would like to officially invite you to become a professional member of the International Guild of Realism”.
In 2024 he entered IGOR’s 18th Annual Juried Exhibition and was juried in with his still life titled “22 Portman Square” which he considers “his best piece so far”. It was accepted into the show out of a field of over 470 works of art.
Many compare his style to the “Old Dutch Masters” with their dark backgrounds and dramatic use of light and shadow. He paints with a passion for detail. All the elements are crisp and exact. He gives them what he calls “The Treatment”, which he describes as getting them as perfect as he can, and only then will he consider the painting finished.
Rod, lives in Los Angeles, CA with his concert pianist wife and muse, Debbie.
He signs his paintings CASTELLO.
