top of page
Valentin Rosales Castro
"Stop painting pictures and go play basketball." That's what a guy in a barbershop told me.
Throughout my life, I was always praised for my artistic talent, but they never believed I could make a living from it.
"You're going to starve to death"
My environment had made it clear to me that being an artist was not possible, and I had given up without having tried.
"Engineers are idiots and they make a fortune," my dad used to say. "Why don't you be an architect since you like to draw?" my teacher would ask. "I think you should be a tattoo artist; they charge too much," my art teacher would say.
Everyone gave me answers I was tired of hearing. Everything revolved around money. And they infected me. I had completely ruled out fulfilling my dream of being an artist. After months, I left everything that made me happy to pursue dreams that weren't mine. I was desperately searching for careers with potential. Investments, engineering, architecture. All I could think about was what would make me the most money. "I'm going to get rich," I thought. Even though I didn't want to accept the fact that it wasn't going to be possible. It wasn't going to be possible doing something I hate.
I hate numbers, I don't like perfection, I hate the idea of pursuing a degree, and above all, I hate being told what to do. That same day, I left the barbershop wanting to be an artist. More than ever. Today, that same guy from the barbershop asked me about my paintings. I'm Valentin Rosales, a visual artist.
bottom of page