The Heart's Filthy Lesson

Victor Castillo is a Chilean painter renowned for his distinctive fusion of pop surrealism, political satire, and darkly whimsical imagery. Castillo began drawing obsessively at the age of five, inspired by cartoons, science fiction films, and album covers like Pink Floyd’s The Wall. Castillo’s paintings are characterized by cartoonish figures with exaggerated features, often set against dreamlike or dystopian backdrops. His work draws inspiration from vintage animation, comics, graffiti, and classical art, particularly Francisco Goya’s Black Paintings, which he encountered during a visit to the Prado Museum in Madrid . This blend results in a visual language that juxtaposes innocence with underlying themes of violence, power, and societal critique. In 2011 Distinction's retail location was converted into ArtHatch, a 501(c)(3) organization. Distinction continues to exist as an online gallery. A large portion of profits are donated back to ArtHatch as well as to other arts related causes including annual art scholarships to Palomar College students. All work is on display for viewing at ArtHatch. ArtHatch is a 7000 square foot building housing over 15 gallery spaces: our front gallery, which features artists from around the world, "The Alley" featuring over 100 works from artists around the world, the "Lounge" featuring 8 local artists (juried rental spaces), 14 artists studios (juried rental spaces) ranging in size from 150 - 800 sq ft, 12 rental walls featuring local artists, and the teen studio featuring artwork and workspace for local teens. The Gallery features contemporary and cutting edge artwork with an emphasis on figurative pop and urban surrealism. With a focus on painting, the gallery exhibits work by emerging and internationally acclaimed artists. Acrylic paint is fast drying paint containing pigment suspension in acrylic polymer emulsion. Acrylic paints can be diluted with water, but become water-resistant when dry. Depending on how much the paint is diluted (with water) or modified with acrylic gels, media, or pastes, the finished acrylic painting can resemble a watercolor or an oil painting, or have its own unique characteristics not attainable with other media.