Marcela Ramos Castillo

Who sees us? Who will know? 34” x 30” (86cm x 76cm) Oil on Canvas  2025 As part of my Good Catholic Girl™️ upbringing, I was taught that one cooperates with God’s grace through ACTION, not passive belief. You can’t merely believe in being a good person: you must DO as a good person does.  As an artist, I’ve discovered that the act of creation is a willful exercise in futility; an ever evolving practice of seeking, of doing. There is no end nor perfection to find, and that's the point.  I fail to do good every single day, but trying again – doing good, again – is what gets me out of bed in the morning in the face of the atrocities that are taking place all around us. I do so in the face of people who claim to believe in God, who commit acts of cruelty against God’s children, and take the lives of those who actually practice being their “brother’s keepers.” The resulting despair is the point, but that is not where the story ends. There are more of us than there are of them.  It warms my heart and strengthens my spirit to see the beautiful acts of kindness done by the people around me. Acts of resilience. Acts of defiance. Acts of joy and unity.  When this is over, and it WILL be over, I want to continue doing my part, however big or small, in keeping the tethers of our shared humanity intact. I fear there will always exist those who seek to break them, but there are more of us than there are of them, and I’m an optimist. I consider this work an act of faith, one that I will happily actively believe. I love you. And to no one in particular 🧊🍊💩🤡: Con el debido respeto, váyanse a la chingada. This means “good luck” in Spanish. Images 1-3: Painting SHOTS 4: A patriot speaking the truth 5. Mexico, United States, and Canada watching the news together 6. Americans storming the Super Bowl on February 8 7. Modelo citizen 8. Painting SHOT

The futility of rumination 14" x 11" (35.5cm x 27.9cm) Oil on Canvas 2024 #figurativepainting #figurations #contemporaryfigurepaintings #apocalypsepainting #mananddog #ruminationpainting

coveting, ad infinitum 24" x 18" (60.9cm x 45.7cm) Oil on Canvas 2024 #oilpaintingfigures #figurativeartwork #figurepainting #figuresinspace #figuresandcat #paintinglegs #paintingfeet #timeandmemory #studioartist #studioart

I'm very happy to share that I will be a part of the Chromatic group show at @salzberggallery , where I will be debuting new works! I'm excited to be sharing this space alongside some truly marvelous artists. A huge shout out to the master, @jacquesdebeaufort , for making this happen! Opening reception: Tuesday, December 9, 5pm- 7:30pm Stop by and say hello (I stg) #paintingshows #colortheorypainting

Big thanks to the staff at the @consulmexmia for visiting with us at the Mezcal Culture Fest this past weekend. Until nexg year!! #MezcalCultureFest #MexicanConsulate #ConsuladoMexicano #MezcalLovers #MexicanCulture #AgaveSpirits #CulturaMexicana #MezcalMoment #ArteYCultura #SaborAMéxico #MezcalExperience #EspírituDelMezcal #CelebrateMexico #MezcalLife #MezcalFest #SouthBeachEvents #CulturaYTradición #HechoEnMéxico #MezcalEnMiami #VivaMéxico

Step into a world where mezcal and art collide at the Mexican Artist Exhibit during Mezcal Culture Fest Weekend. This immersive showcase brings together renowned and emerging Mexican and Mexican-American artists, whose works reflect their personal points of view and perspectives. From vivid paintings and intricate sculptures to contemporary interpretations, each piece tells a story as deep and complex as the spirit itself. Beyond celebrating artistic expression, this exhibit serves a greater purpose—a portion of proceeds will benefit S.A.C.R.E.D., a nonprofit dedicated to supporting the rural Mexican communities where mezcal is made. By funding sustainability initiatives, water security projects, and agave reforestation, S.A.C.R.E.D. ensures the future of mezcal remains as vibrant as the art it inspires. FRIDAY JUNE 27 5:30PM - 7:30PM LINK TO RSVP IN BIO PARTICIPATING ARTISTS: - Marcela Ramos Castillo - Alejandra Palacios - Monica Czukerberg - Jose Santos - Eduardo Robledo Romero Join us for an evening of mezcal, art, and impact, where every sip and every brushstroke contributes to a meaningful cause. #MezcalCultureFest #MexicanArtExhibit #MezcalAndArt #SupportSacred #ArtForACause #AgaveAndCanvas #MexicanArtists #ContemporaryMexicanArt #LatinxArt #CulturaYMezcal #MezcalForGood #SacredAgave #MezcalInspired #AgaveReforestation #ArtWithImpact #SustainableSpirits #ArteMexicano #AgaveCulture #CommunityThroughArt #MezcalMovement

Join us for a vibrant celebration of art, culture, and purpose during the Mezcal Culture Fest at @moxysouthbeach ! We’re proud to present a special Mexican Artist Exhibit featuring the powerful works of Marcela Ramos Castillo, Alejandra Palacios, and Monic Czuckerberg—each bringing their unique lens to the rich heritage of Mexico. Friday, June 27 | 5:30PM - 7:30PM Immerse yourself in the colors, stories, and soul of contemporary Mexican artistry. A portion of proceeds will benefit @sacredagave , supporting sustainability and community in mezcal-producing regions. Art with purpose. Culture with heart. We’ll see you there. #MezcalCultureFest #MoxySouthBeach #MexicanArt #SACREDAgave #ArtWithImpact #miami #southbeach #artshow #ContemporaryMexicanArt #SouthBeachEvents

Contracting the Tenses 20" x 16" (50.8cm x 40 6cm) Oil on Canvas 2025 Currently on view at @mtnspacegallery in their "mtn spaceship" show, April 5- May 24 2025. Studio space @zeroemptyspaces #femalefigurativepainting #yonic #oilpaintingcanvas #womanoilpainter #femalenudepainting #oilfigurativepainting

Sartre, written by a girl 15.5" x 14" (39cm x 35cm) Oil on paper 2024 "The hour when the screen...would speak and dream for them." Awesome studio space courtesy of: @zeroemptyspaces #sartre #portraitofsartre #jeanpaulsartre #oilpaintingface

We love our studio visits with #ZeroEmptySpaces #BocaRatonInnovationCampus #ResidentArtist Marcela Ramos Castillo @marcee_rc - one of the most talented (and longest tenured) artists we've had in our program going on 4+ years! Marcela's #art explores themes of identity and belonging, influenced by her #MexicanAmerican heritage. She honed her artistic skills at the prestigious Rhode Island School of Design aka #RISD, where she earned her BFA in 2014. Currently, Marcela is dedicated to nurturing the next generation of artists as a full-time Visual Arts educator at her almamater, the Alexander W. Dreyfoos School of the Arts in West Palm Beach, Florida. Save the date to join Marcee and her fellow #ResidentArtists while touring over a dozen artist studios who @workatbric @artonbricwalls every 1st Thursday of the month for their #OpenStudios event in our #BocaRaton #Florida location. Don't hesitate to reach out to schedule a studio visit or a commission! More information can be found at zeroemptyspaces.com

No Te Rajes 90" x 62" (228cm x 157.4cm) Oil on Canvas 2024 "No te rajes" roughly translates (from español) to, "don't quit," or "don't give up." When I was a child, I'd marvel at the dazzling family folklore of my peers. They always seemed to be related to someone important or famous or directly associated with grand social movements. As far as I know, my great grandfather didn't tack up horses for Pancho Villa, but I've discovered that, like millions before and after, I am currently in the midst of my family's own epic narrative: the one of leaving the familiar behind for something new or different, with all the joys, sorrows, disappointments, and triumphs that encompass the journey. Family, the one you're born into or the one you choose (or chooses you), has been a tether to humanity when external forces would seek to deny it to us. It is complicated, imperfect, and, frankly, difficult at times, but it is also survival, persistence, resistance, and love. That any "one" decides to be a "we," a "my" an "ours," has made even the most hostile places, be it physical space or the mind, a home. Or die trying, because you don't know when to quit. Or you refuse to. Not for the faint of heart, I think. This is all rather loose, but it's a slice of what was floating around in me when I made this. However, I demand direct, confident input from YOU. I've no time for the wishy washy 🩷. 1. a painting of two of my sisters and my two nephews in a swamp (one interpretation) 2. Cat and dog are family too 3. A mind-numbingly tricky bit of foreshortening 4. When the painting was a baby (@vermontstudiocenter ) 5. All grown up (@salzberggallery ) ❤️ @zeroemptyspaces for having the space to work this big again #oilpaintingfigures #contemporaryfigurepainting #colorfigurepainting #bigcanvaspainting #gallerypaintings #completepainting

Opening night for Belonging - we had both artists at our reception talking about their process, ideas and views. A great evening to share with students and the community. Thank you to all that attended this evening. A true pleasure curating this exhibition . #mypbsc #art #photo #salt #paint #oil