Visual Artist Michael Casiano founded the NY Universal Visual Artist Uprising organization. He was born of Puerto Rican descent raised in Sunset Park, Brooklyn, and paints his inspiration from his cultural ancestors with an appreciation for the spirit realms as the Native Americans and Taino Indians did. For Michael Casiano, his way of reawakening his ‘higher self’ is by returning to the canvas with a paintbrush in hand after taking a fifteen-year hiatus. Like food for the soul, his passion for painting reconnects him to a vital life force that makes him feel more purposeful through the positive messages that they convey. Furthermore, his talent has attracted opportunities for him to share his work at numerous art exhibitions which he curated, such as, at the Salsa Salsa Dance Studio Brooklyn NY, Local 1199 NYC, the SEV lounge in Brooklyn NY, the Magnolia Tree Earth Center, the Danish club, Medgar Evers College, Stony Brook University, and performed live paintings at The Louie Vega Dance Ritual Annual Boat Ride, Winter Music Conference in Miami Florida, and WEPA NYC. 

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Many of my pieces have spoken to the buyers and observers who had amazing thoughts to share and some happened to be Artists themselves. I try to inspire those who are creatively talented by encouraging them to never stop and to just “keep creating” as it was told to me; Artist to Artist. My goal has always been to inspire people through my creations and that is why I share my work with the world, hoping that they are able to feel, understand and see my true spiritual vision.  All my pieces are spiritual in their own way. There is no comparison to the spiritual meaning of each painting. Each piece has been created through the energy of music or the spoken words of an individual that has seen my vision and described their thoughts. I always found that to be a blessing, to be able to channel into someone’s mind through my paintings. Also, Taino Indian and Native American culture inspire me greatly to create. What I paint is who I am and what I believe, and that in itself keeps me grounded. I do meditate before I touch a canvas and I burn pure sage when I feel the need to. In fact, I feel that my Taino ancestors have spiritually guided me through my art experience, giving me the visions to share on canvas. As nothing is ever planned when I paint; I just paint what I feel in the moment. 

Art is my passion, and I would want to be remembered as The Taino Spiritual Artist that has touched the souls of many through my visions and creations. I also want to be remembered as a true person who appreciates all art forms, respects native culture and what I represent: The Taino Way.