Meet Mitch Caster | Fine Artist & Art Teacher

We had the good fortune of connecting with Mitch Caster and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Mitch, why did you pursue a creative career?

I have loved art ever since I can remember. I was unable to visit an art museum until I was in high school, but as a child, I had an intense desire to draw; there was a natural ability. I saw great art mainly from stamp collecting; it was inspiring to see art from around the world.

After I finished school, I started creating TV news graphics and was the courtroom artist for 9News KUSA in Denver. I then worked as a freelance courtroom artist for local, national and international TV networks and began teaching art at Rocky Mountain College of Art & Design. I also began my fine art career – doing paintings and showing in galleries. For a brief time, I studied nursing, but the urge to create art was too strong. I also then started teaching for the Art Students League of Denver.

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?

I’ve followed my heart in deciding on subjects to paint. I am inspired by beauty and inner beauty, humor, culture and history. While some artists aren’t excited about the subject itself, I am. I love capturing bits and pieces of the good that is around me – and interpreting those moments that are so beautiful and that otherwise might be forgotten. I love to share those moments with others, and if they feel a little better for seeing them, it makes me very happy.

I am excited about light and shadow, color, texture and form. More and more I am inspired to paint nature. I continue to love figurative work, too.

I’m not interested in sending any messages, and I’ve not gone out of my way to set my work apart from other artists, as I think that just happens naturally, like your signature.

As a teacher, I encourage my students to develop their skills and not get discouraged, as I believe we all have unique perspectives in life that are valuable to express artistically.

This career road has been rough at times. One reason I love art is that I’m painfully shy by nature, and art is a very natural path to express my feeling when other methods have failed. Artists have to believe in themselves, as they will have to deal with numerous rejections and negative criticisms along the way. You’ll never please everyone, but you only need one gallery or one buyer at a time who “gets” what you’re doing.

Representational fine art is an interpretation of subject, and I hope that mine is appreciated. Along the way, when things don’t go as well as hoped, I remember a Celtic saying that I’ve framed and hung next to the mantle in my living room. It reads, “Courage does not always roar. Sometimes it is the quiet voice at the of the day saying ‘I will try again tomorrow.’”

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.

When we have visitors from out of town, we like to take them hiking at Rocky Mountain National Park, Mt. Evans, Roxborough Park and the Denver Mountain Parks. In Denver, we may visit the State Capitol, the City and County Building, and the Denver Mint. Sometimes we’ll add in the Molly Brown House or the Botanic Gardens. We especially love, and are members of, the Denver Museum of Nature and Science. I also recommend the Forney Museum and Cussler Museum for antique car enthusiasts (like me).

For great food, it’s tamales at La Casita, New Mexican food at Little Anita’s, Native American specialties at Tocabe, Mexican at La Fogata and Sabor, Indian at India’s and Little India’s, Italian at Maggiano’s, and pizza at Pantaleone’s, Esters, Modern Market (for an amazing, but seasonal, Street Corn Pizza), Beau Jo’s and California Pizza Kitchen. We head to Garbanzos for Middle Eastern food, and Wahoo’s and Red Lobster for seafood. Masha and the Bear has great Russian food; Maria’s Empanadas has really good Argentinian food; and Quiero Arepas is the spot for Venezuelan food. And Panera’s Autumn Squash Soup is a seasonal favorite.

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?

I would thank my grandmother, Lucy Barredo, for encouraging me and helping me to love art as a child. My mother, Magdalena Fosse, deserves a shout-out for her support and helping me further my education in art.

A few teachers have been instrumental in my life. My George Washington High School art teacher, Mrs. Hashman, generously gave me my first set of soft pastels, and encouraged me. Phil Steele, who mentored me at Rocky Mountain School of Art, gave me an all-tuition-paid scholarship, and later provided me with my first teaching opportunity, at the school. And Bob Yust at Colorado Mountain College encouraged me to try courtroom art.

I’m grateful to the Art Students League of Denver for the last 25-plus years of teaching opportunity, and for Martin Freedman of the Colorado Ballet for welcoming me to work with the dance company.

My biggest shout-out goes to my wife, Carol, who has encouraged and supported me as an artist for many years.

And lastly, a huge thanks to all the art lovers and patrons who have purchased my artwork and helped me to survive and thrive as an artist!

Website: www.mitchcasterfineart.com

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mitchcasterfineart/

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mitch-caster-2a96931b3/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/mitchcasterfineart