|  Proud to be a native Texan, Roland Castanie was born and raised on the Gulf Coast. He received a Bachelor of Science degree in commercial art from Southwest Texas State University in San Marcos. His interest in medicine and a realistic and accurate style of art led him to the field of medical illustration at the University of Texas Medical Branch in Galveston where he held the position of Supervisor of Medical Art. He received additional training and taught in the Masters Degree Program at the University of Texas Health Science Center at Dallas. His experience and training at these institutions greatly influenced his art and graphic design work.
Roland's interest in wildlife and the outdoors began at an early age and have played a significant role in his art. An avid sportsman, the accuracy with which he portrays his subject matter reflects his careful attention to detail. His art is the result of years of observation, training and discipline.
Roland enjoys working with a variety of mediums including pen and ink, colored pencil, acrylic, and graphite pencil. He prefers graphite pencil because of the realism and detail that can be achieved with this medium and the challenge to illustrate shapes, textures and tones sometimes overlooked working with other mediums. Although known for his wildlife drawings and paintings, he is actively involved with western and cowboy subjects as well as sporting dogs. In recent years he has added portraiture to his body of work, enjoying the unique experience of capturing the person as well as the minute details that make his human subjects so fascinating to depict.
A strong supporter of conservation groups for over 30 years, Roland's art has raised tens of thousands of dollars for Ducks Unlimited for which they have awarded him their Gold Foil Award. He has also produced art that has raised funds for The National Wild Turkey Federation, The Texas Game Warden Association, The Safari Club International and The Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation.
Roland is actively involved with the Vietnam Veterans of America producing original art and prints to fund their scholarship programs. This effort is presently expanding from its local beginnings to include many chapters nationally. Roland has always had a great deal of admiration and respect for those who serve in the military, and he is gratified to be able to focus attention on their sacrifices and courage.
Roland has produced a number of pieces for the City of Texas City including the Millennium Mural in the Doyle Convention Center and the Texas City Historical Mural in the Nessler Center. Roland has taught art and graphics at Texas City High School since 1988, and in the past served as an Adjunct Professor of Graphics at College of the Mainland. Roland and wife Peggy have been blessed with two wonderful children, Monique and Roland III. Monique and husband Stephen live in Austin and have given Roland the gift of two grandsons, Evan and Logan, destined to be future artists and outdoorsmen. A local resident, Roland III is currently producing paintings of contemporary subjects and portraits and recently enjoyed a successful one man show in Fort Worth.
Roland's art is ever evolving, and he looks forward to whatever new challenge awaits him in the future. He has often said there are not enough days in one lifetime to investigate all the possibilities art has to offer. |
