“For me, creating art is as basic as breathing. I’m tapping into that which is unseen and heard only through the soul. This energy is brought forth by the hands, holding tools for translating that energy into color, shape and line. The language of the spirit is movement – pure energy, electrical impulses of the body after first traveling through the heart. Closer and closer to the essence of my being I become, unfettered by ego and the thinking mind. Mark Rothko said it best: “A painting is not a picture of an experience, it is an experience.”

Peg Belcastro was born and raised in south-central Pennsylvania and lived in Alaska from 2002 to 2012 which deeply influenced the way she approaches her art. It was in those extraordinary surroundings that she discovered the significance of letting go and getting out of her own way that is so vital for tapping into the creative flow. “The people who live in Alaska have a particular way of thinking which is essential for surviving in the far north. It’s the attitude of courage to be true to yourself, to honor your passions and to live life to the fullest – no matter what anyone else thinks.”

Later, she studied ceramics at Bloomsburg University and enjoyed creating pottery and sculpture for a number of years. Although Peg is mostly self-taught, she has studied painting with Nicholas Wilton, Krista Harris, Linda Benton-McCloskey and Stewart Cubley. Over the last twenty-plus years she has participated in solo, group, and invitational exhibits in Pennsylvania, Alaska, Virginia, New Jersey, and Vermont. Now once again she is also working with clay/mixed media pieces and loving every minute. Peg lives in Pennsylvania with her husband and senior dog, Bree.

To learn more about the artist you can visit her website at www.pegbelcastro.com.

Artist: Peg Belcastro
Medium: Cold Wax & Oil
Dimensions: 19 13/16" x 19 13/16"