¡Saludos!

Ana Castillo 2025

We are headed toward the end of a year that for a few on the planet was “golden” and for most was catastrophic, if not tragic.  I hope you are safe and sound and remember you have a voice. Thanks to Tricycle Buddhist Magazine (2024) that requested this image.  My thanks also to Hilton Contemporary Gallery in Chicago that has found a home for the original in a far away land and thank you to the private collector for selecting my work.

If you are in my home town there are two locations for the Hilton Contemporary Gallery, Wells & Superior and near south at Morgan Arts Complex. Stop by either or make an appointment for a showing.

My thanks to Hilton Contemporary Gallery of Chicago and the private collector that chose this print of my Dove Girl.  Prints are a remarkable state of the art , high tech quality and not available except upon request at the Gallery.

On the writing front, I continue work on my most recent novel endeavor (HarperVia, Harper Collins) and will keep you abreast of any updates.

Mambo Monkey (Hilton Contemporary Galleries, Chicago)

New visual work, poetry and prose coming.  2026.

Note to writers & all, when you don’t know what else to do: read, read, read.

I revisit my personal library for blasts from the past.  On the bed stand is Violette Leduc and Hannah Arendt.  Both survivors during war time.

If you NEVER read 1984.  If you never read Shock Doctrine. These are solid winter reads. Share with your book club. Don’t have one? Start a  reader community.

I leave you with 7 elder reminders, if  I may:

1. Everyone in life goes through sh**.  You have a choice–jump ship or choose to go through it.  Don’t give up or give in.  I promise you in the big picture of what your life is worth, it will pass. 2. Yes, health first and do not wait until you’re middle aged or undeniably viejo to decide to change your diet or habits 3. Don’t be a two-faced troll.  Don’t project yourself as down with your community but creepily put energy in trashing people. That energy does come back to you and in case you don’t have the sense to add two plus two, it comes back in ways you never saw coming.  Instead, be real to yourself and the universe.  4. Stop posting all the things you are planning to accomplish.  Instead get something done, then let us know.  We’ll cheer for you. 5. If you want to advance your academic career with a new study or book don’t jump on a popular band wagon. Pull out your researcher lube to your discriminating eyeball and find something of interest to you that no one is talking about. Surprise us. 6. You are the consumer and consumed.  Make wise choices, not only for your household but for the planet. 7.Pick ONE injustice you find so abhorrent you cannot sleep. Find a doable  way you can combat it, even if it seems at the moment inconsequential, do it and keep doing it. Be that ant, the woodpecker, the annoying retired neighbor that comes out the house everyday, the sun that rises each day–keep fighting for what you believe is right for the planet. You alone cannot change the world but you as an individual can make a difference.

Thank you again for checking in.  No news here does not mean no news or bad news.  It means that as a creative I am immersed in doing just that.

Please follow me on Instagram for regular updates. Gracias.

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