James Castle

James Castle (1899–1977) was an American self-taught artist known for his detailed and imaginative drawings. Born deaf in Garden Valley, Idaho, Castle used materials such as soot, saliva, and found paper to create his works, often depicting rural scenes and interiors from his environment. Despite lacking formal training and traditional communication methods, his art offers a unique and intimate perspective on his surroundings. His work is recognized for its raw, unfiltered quality and has been exhibited in major institutions like the Smithsonian American Art Museum and the Whitney Museum of American Art.