Vivid Legacies

Artwork by a Third Generation East Austinite

Words by Codi Chen | Photos by Parker Thornton

Artist Amado Castillo III finds purpose in being a third generation East Austinite. His response is automatic, “Humbled. I have support here. Not just with my family but in this whole community.” In a city where many are transient, Amado feels profoundly connected to the Eastside, where his family has established deep roots.

Growing up with limited resources, Amado found solace and entertainment in drawing. “I spent a lot of time alone as a kid,” he recalls. “I didn’t have video games, but I had pencil and paper. By the time I got into elementary school, I was ahead of the game,” Amado says of his artistic skills. He began painting on shirts and jackets for his friends, and soon, his teachers and classmates began commissioning him to paint portraits in remembrance of loved ones. “I realized that not only can I support myself through art someday, but this is also sacred work they’re trusting to me,” he explains. 

Raised by a father who transitioned from painting cars to pastoring, Amado learned to channel artistic expression into multiple avenues. “I remember watching my dad paint old-school Mustangs and Impalas. Then, once he became a pastor, I wanted to play drums in the church band. I had two creative outlets that my dad understood,” Amado smiles. 

Today, Amado is an acclaimed artist in Austin, with large-scale murals displayed on street-facing walls, fences, and pillars. “One of the reasons I paint in such bright colors is because I want people to feel joy, happiness, and peace. Of course, the subject is important, but so is the feeling,” he extols. Amado is perhaps most known for creating murals with inspirational, historical, and local figures: the César Chávez mural at 1204 East César Chávez Street, Paul Hernandez painted on the outside of the Mexic-Arte Museum, and Johnny Limón’s portrait on the Bolm Road murals. These are bold, vibrant works of art that exude messages of advocacy, collective action, and community solidarity. 

Amado seeks to leave a lasting impact on Austin, inspiring everyone who encounters his work. He says it’s not just about painting murals; it’s about painting legacy. His goal is for people to feel a sense of hope and motivation, to see their neighborhood and history reflected in his art, and to be moved by the stories he tells through his paintings. This legacy is one he aims to pass down to his children, particularly his son, Amado L. Castillo IV, who is already making his mark as an artist in East Austin. Together, they are crafting a visual history that honors their heritage and uplifts their community, ensuring that the Castillo name will be synonymous with creativity, resilience, and inspiration for generations to come. 

Neighborhood Wins
This mural, part of the Bolm Road Mural Project with the nonprofit Raasin in the Sun, is a vibrant tribute to unity and the power of community, dedicated to honoring East Austin legend Johnny Limón. The mural begins with a hand cradling the earth, symbolizing our duty to care for humanity and the planet. To the right, Limón appears as Santa Claus, honoring his Calle Limón St. tradition. At the center, his portrait celebrates his community impact, flanked by a sketch of local basketball players and a flag of Mexico within a Texas silhouette. The mural concludes with an arm holding a white flag, symbolizing the surrender of oil companies for their negative effects in East Austin.

Lead to Live
The “Lead to Live” mural on the side of the Mexic-Arte Museum captures a powerful tribute to Paul Hernandez, an influential East Austin Chicano activist. Against a tri-colored backdrop reminiscent of the Mexican flag, Austin’s skyline looms with cranes, symbolizing relentless growth. Below, mustangs gallop freely, representing liberation from urban demands. At the mural’s heart, Paul Hernandez holds a megaphone, echoing the protest cry “Los muertos no hablan it is up to us.” This poignant message, merging with contemporary protest signs held by marginalized faces, underscores a legacy of resistance and hope. Completing the piece, a breaking chain and a reimagined United Farm Workers logo with an eagle soaring above connect past struggles with ongoing fights for justice. 

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