Anthony Astarita grew up in Brooklyn, far from the rural ambiance that inspired his whimsical At The Farm series of paintings. He studied animals on YouTube just to understand how they moved. He watched how goats play, how cows blink and how roosters call in the morning.
He says he learned that every animal has its own rhythm and spirit, much like the cultural icons he grew up idolizing—such figures as Jimi Hendrix, Bob Dylan and Muhammad Ali.
“While animals are the subject matter, the series is really about my heroes; the people who paved the way for creativity, freedom and expression,” says Astarita. “It’s my way of saying that greatness comes from being true to your nature—whether you’re a rooster or a rock star.”
In March, 4Roots debuted some of Astarita’s original works at its campus in the Packing District. It’s the latest milestone for the College Park-based artist, who moved to Florida in the 1970s and was part of Mills Gallery’s inaugural Winn-Win Emerging Artist Exhibition in 2024.
Astarita first became aware of 4Roots—a nonprofit dedicated to transforming how communities grow, access and engage with food—through a feature story in Artistry. He paid a visit to the farm and made a connection with John Rivers, its founder.
Astarita’s paintings balance layers of graffiti-like strokes, bold colors and textured surfaces. The artwork is available for purchase, with 50 percent of the proceeds benefiting 4Roots.
“With 4Roots, I wanted the work to do more than hang on a wall,” says Astarita. “I wanted it to feed back into the mission of growing health, hope and opportunity.”
Whether creating on canvas or wood panel, Astarita approaches each piece with stamina, humor and a deep belief in the power of art to uplift and connect. “I hope people feel joy, curiosity and connection,” he says.
“I want the colors and gestures to spark something personal, while also reminding them that we’re all part of a bigger cycle —of giving, of sustaining, of creating. My greatest hope is that they walk away not just having seen a painting but having felt a little more alive.”
To follow Astarita and learn more about his work, check out @astaritaartstudio on Instagram.
