My watercolor palette is always a mess. Maybe that is why my watercolors are used mainly for sketching. I sketched while Gene was in PT.
Jo Castillo Art Blog - Pastels and More
I am an artist that paints in pastels, with some oils, and acrylics. I sketch in pen and ink. As an artist my original paintings are influenced from living in Texas, New Mexico, Arizona, Colorado, Bolivia, Peru and Chile, and travels throughout much of Canada and all our fifty States. This is my spot for posting paintings and sketches, to muse mostly about art, life and a little about UT Baseball.
Website Jo Castillo Art
Friday, April 17, 2026
Palette in Watercolor
Wednesday, April 15, 2026
Ink and Watercolor Fun
Well, as much fun as I can have painting with watercolors. I have to think to paint with them so not an easy feat these days. I'm thinking for two as Dr. Chavez says. I need to save the brain for paperwork and such.
I sketched by the ponds/lakes at the picnic pavilion and down by the new construction close to McCoys. So much going on. Texas Roadhouse, Longhorn Steakhouse, Chuys, Chipotle, Smokey Mo's Barbeque, Jersey Mikes, Firehouse Subs, Sprouts and much more. Bastrop is growing too fast.
For Scavenger Hunt from Life 187 https://creativespark.art/threads/scavenger-hunt-from-life-187-apr-3-apr-15.8897/
Number 4 sand - the dried up lake bed on Easterly lake/pond Only a puddle left
Number 5 heavy machinery - some sort of lift. The workers were on top and no one near the lift. Maybe they had another on the other side of the huge building.
These are in the Ohuhu Mix Media sketchbook with Ohuhu pen and watercolors.
It was beautiful weather for my day out. About 80 degrees F. Soon it will be in the 90s to 100. Enjoying while we can. We have been using the porch.
Monday, April 13, 2026
Spring Break Family Fun
We had all our family here this past week. It was amazing to have all 19 of us together. We have 2 grandkids and 19 great grandkids. Doesn't seem possible. The first day was just two greats so we sketched. After everyone got here the kids were mostly outside. They had their Easter Egg hunt on Tuesday I think. Went to the playground by the firehouse. Played disc golf with Uncle Larry. We had New Mexico food and brisket. So wonderful to see all the kiddos. We hadn't seen the last two since we aren't traveling.
We did sketch a little with the the first bunch. I post my three first and then the kids. They tried to do items from the Scavenger Hunt with me.
For Scavenger Hunt 187 https://creativespark.art/threads/scavenger-hunt-from-life-187-apr-3-apr-15.8897/
Number 1 cup - my Christmas cup this year. We think the 4 on it means aisle 4. I want to sketch it in pastel. Maybe one day. In the new Ohuhu smaller sketchbook with Ohuhu pens and watercolor.
Number 2 useful - a plastic basket to hold brochures at PT In the larger Ohuhu Mix Mecia sketchbook with Micron 03 and watercolors.
Number 3 vehicle - in the Ohuhu Mix Media sketchbook with Micron 03 at PT... oh the perspective. Front and back not too bad. Middle is ???
Christy sketched on paper from the Little Fingers sketchbook.
Lucas sketched in the Little Fingers sketchbook. He draws really well. He did some others but they weren't from life. The hanging basket was a good challenge.
Owen sketched in a Fabriano Masters Touch watercolor sketchbook and tore the pages out to put on the fridge. He did the cutest chicken but it is so light yellow that it wouldn't show in the scan.
They did some chalk art outside, too.Anyway lots of fun. The house is sooooo quiet now.
About Me
- Jo Castillo
- Bastrop, Texas, United States
- I Grew up in a small town , Magdalena, New Mexico. I enjoy art and the pleasure other people get from my work. I always donate some of my sales and art to charities, especially for children. That started in Bolivia with Para los NiƱos. "I cannot pretend to feel impartial about colors. I rejoice with the brilliant ones and am genuinely sorry for the poor browns." -- Winston Churchill











