Jazmin Castaneda

Grandma's House

Oil on canvas, collage

About the artist

Jazmin Castaneda

My name is Jazmin but you can call me Jazzy, Jazz, or Jazzjizzle. I am from Whittier, California but was born in Long Beach. I am a third-generation Mexican-American woman and work as an instructor and guide for students at a charter school called KIPP SoCal. My goal in life is to become a muralist and travel with my tools and paint to be able to share my large-scale artwork in states and/or countries across the world. So far, I have been able to work on two murals and each time I was there, I felt I was following the path I have dreamt of.

If I were to describe myself in three words. It would be curious, maternal, and understanding. I remind myself daily that everyone is carrying something heavy on their shoulders, which reminds me to continue to forgive and communicate. Losing my father to cancer has given me a different lens on how I view others, and how I view how others coping with pain. I like to listen to others and how they feel, because we all need someone to talk to. I try to express this love, pain, and hope in my work.