Visions of Service

Art reflecting time in uniform

Don Moore and Kevin Casto

 Artists & Soliders

at The Art Junction

2634 Prairie Street, New Haven, Ohio 44850 next to the New Haven United Methodist Church

Opening Reception

Friday, October 21, 2022 5:00 – 7:00 p.m.

Regular Gallery Hours:

Thursdays & Fridays

October 21 – November 12, 2022

5:00 – 7:00 p.m.

*Special showings upon request!

            Don Moore always knew that he would be a military artist; just ask his former Willard High School art teacher, Mr. Charles Casto.

          In 1968 Don left Willard, Ohio for the United States Marine Corps recruit depot at Parris Island, South Carolina. Upon completing boot camp and advanced combat training, he received the military occupation of illustrator/combat artist. Don served 16 ½ years in the Marine Corps before joining the Army in 1984 as an illustrator. Don retired from the military in 1989 with 22 ½ years of service.

           Don’s military career was not limited to being an artist; he was also a drill instructor, presidential bodyguard, and non-commissioned officer in charge of graphic art centers and public affairs sections. These, as well as other military jobs, postings and travel experiences, helped Don build a variety of skills and life experiences.  Wherever Don was stationed, he pursued his passion for art through college and correspondence courses. He also attended many workshops and institutes such as Dynamic Graphics.

            Don has received many awards for his artistic skill, service and excellence. His most prized achievements are: induction into the Sgt. Audie Murphy Club, knighted into the Order of St. George, and commissioned an admiral in the Texas navy.

            Owner and operator of Don Moore Illustration since 1989, Don has had a variety of notable clients, including authors John Carroll, Robert Utley, Steve Wise and Paul Hutton; United States presidents Richard Nixon, Ronald Reagan and George W. Bush; and the magazines and corporations Armchair General Magazine, McDonnell Douglas Helicopter, the National Park Service, the Institute of Heraldry, and the History Channel.

Raised in an artistic family, Kevin Casto has always felt the call to create and work in the visual arts.  Hearing tales of his father’s time in the military, along with playing army as a kid with his friends, Kevin was always fascinated with hiding and running in the woods and building forts and navigating the trees and fields where he grew up.

After graduating from The Art Institute of Pittsburgh, Kevin grew discontented with working in the field of commercial photography and joined the Ohio Army National Guard.  After his initial training he received a scholarship and returned to college where he received degrees in art and art education from Ashland University. Kevin works in an expressionistic style that reflects the ideas of the German Expressionism movement of the early twentieth century and the Neo-Expressionist movement of the 1980’s. He is also influenced from his travels with the Army. 

Kevin first encountered Don Moore as an elementary student when Don would come and visit Kevin’s father, who was Don’s high school art teacher.  Don would stop by for a visit when he was home on leave and bring work he had created in the Marines and the Army. Don’s images and his time in the service were another influence on Kevin as he pursued his art.  Kevin currently teaches elementary art at Willard Elementary School and is the Director of The Art Junction in New Haven where the show will be on display.

This exhibit explores the work of two veterans who approach visual art in different methods and styles and yet honor and explore their lives and experiences through the visual arts.

You’re invited to visit the Art Junction to view Kevin and Don’s amazing art and illustrations that pay tribute to our veterans and our nation’s great heritage!

In the words of another artist who was a solider … “if suffering can be transformed into creativity . . . I want to try it” Ernst Ludwig Kirchner  -German Expressionist Artist.