About the artist
My Practice
My name is Dorota Castillo. I create visual art and write poetry and reflective prose.
My paintings are signed under the name Shama, a name that emerged from a quiet inner vision, a presence that carries wisdom, depth, and the freedom to explore the unseen. Shama is both part of me and apart from me, a way to let the work speak without constraint.
This work began quietly. Not as a plan, and not as a project, but as a way of staying present with what I was experiencing when words alone were no longer enough. Painting and writing became a place to put what I didn’t yet understand feelings, memories, questions, moments of change.
I am drawn to what exists in between: between certainty and doubt, strength and softness, holding on and letting go. Much of my work comes from periods of transition, when identity is shifting and something new is trying to take shape. I don’t aim to resolve these moments. I stay with them long enough for them to speak.
My process is intuitive and slow. I let images, phrases, and symbols emerge rather than forcing meaning onto them. Some pieces arrive fully formed; others remain open, unfinished, or ambiguous. That openness is intentional.
This space exists to hold that kind of work — art and writing that does not perform, persuade, or explain itself. It is a record of attention, honesty, and becoming.
Thank you for being here. I’m glad you found your way to this space. You’re welcome to explore it at your own pace, and what resonates is yours to keep.
A little more about me on a more personal note.
I was born and raised in Poland, studied translation (French/English into Polish), and at one point planned to work for the EU. Life, of course, had other plans. After traveling across most of Europe, I landed in the U.S. and began building a life here. Chicago first, then Atlanta. I spent the first ten years of my career navigating the corporate world, eventually being promoted and transferred to Atlanta. Over time, I built an extensive background in project management, serving as a VP overseeing departmental operations, relationship management, PMO leadership, ISO compliance, and strategic initiatives. In September 2025, I began a sabbatical that became a turning point. It led to launching my consulting business, Anthilles Consulting, where I help organizations executives connect their vision with frontline execution which translates to optimizing processes, elevating female talent, and driving strategic growth. At the same time, I began exploring creative arts and poetry, bringing a more reflective, intuitive side into my life alongside my professional work. Outside of work, I live in Atlanta with my husband and two dogs as a new empty nester. My two sons are also in Georgia, off navigating their own grown-up adventures.
How it all started
Contact Dorota Castillo Studio
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