Today we’d like to introduce you to Franky Castle.
Hi Franky, it’s an honor to have you on the platform. Thanks for taking the time to share your story with us – to start maybe you can share some of your backstory with our readers?
Born Francisco Castillo in Guadalajara Jalisco Mexico. Raised in a very rough neighborhood Anaheim California, plagued with gang violence, drugs and severe poverty. I was always drawn to the Arts as a kid. I sketched a lot and loved music, but in my freshman year of high school I was introduced to graffiti art and I was hooked. After a year of running with my graffiti crew, I realized I was heading down a dark path so I pivot. I put the spray can down and picked up a basketball and excelled on the basketball court, but School was very difficult for me. I barely graduated from High School. Looking for ways to express myself, I fell back to my love for music and joined a punk band playing the guitar. I started drinking heavy and using drugs and quickly started to get in trouble with the Law. after a few misderminors, I landed a felony for fighting and spent six months in county jail. Tired of the lifestyle, I decided to clean my ways and do right. Soon after my release from jail I started to look for a job. I transparent and honest about my past but still couldn’t get hired. After weeks of frustration, I decided to Hire myself and started my own business. I opened up my first Beeper // Cellular Store and enrolled myself into entrepreneur classes in my local community college. That’s where I met my first mentor, my teacher Mr. Larry Pearce (RIP). I spent 17 years in the wireless industry as an authorized boostmobile store owner with multiple store.
At the age of 40, I hit the crossroads, I got burnt out of running my three brick and mortar locations so in 2016 I decided to go all-in on my passion for the Arts and I sold my business. I began painting again after not painting for over 25 years since my freshman year in HS. I was voted top ten Orange County Artist in my first year of painting, that gave me validation to continue painting so I went full-time. I spent a lot of time promoting my work at local artwalks in Orange County and San Diego Barrio Logan. Its been a very difficult transition to know paint and sell my artwork especially the past few years, I thought I was doing everything right, but I still battled my demons using drugs to help my anxiety and depression, it wasn’t till I stopped using that doors started to open for me, I will be traveling to Costa Rica for my first Art Residency in April 2022, and I recently signed a licensing deal with Marshalls // TJMaxx // Home Goods and Cost Plus World Market.
I’ve learned to express myself with out all the artificial help (drugs) Connecting with Nature, Meditation and giving back to my community. Art Saved My Life
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
I struggled with limiting Beliefs, Depression, Drug Addiction, Anxiety, I never gave up and continued feeding my mind with personal development books, seminars, mentors. I learned to take responsibility and embraced adversity.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
I’m a full-time Artist/Painter. With many disciplines, Abstract Expressionist, Modern Urban Art, Murals I’m most proud of kicking my addition during the heart of the pandemic, I had nowhere to go but inside. I learned to love myself and breathe life.
How do you think about luck?
I’ve learned to see the good in the bad luck. It hasn’t been easy but perspective is everything. Life is not fair. Bad Luck is never gonna stop. taking control of your mind is key
Contact Info:
- Email: frankycastleart@gmail.com
- Website: www.frankycastle.com
- Instagram: frankycastle1
- Facebook: frankycastle714
- Youtube: frankycastle
