Elito “Lito” Ballesteros (1940–2009) was an acclaimed and well‑loved Filipino painter, remembered for his vibrant canvases and his role in promoting Philippine art abroad. Born on November 24, 1940 in Cabanatuan City, Nueva Ecija, he grew up in the artistic environment of his hometown alongside the world‑famous painter Fernando Amorsolo, whose influence shaped his early appreciation for color and light.
Ballesteros trained in the Philippines before moving to the United States, where he became one of the founders of the Society of Philippine‑American Artists (SPAA) in New York. He participated in notable group exhibitions such as Suntok sa Buwan (1994) and Salamin ng Kagitingan (1998), both held at the Philippine Center in New York. He also mounted several solo exhibitions in New York, New Jersey, and Washington, D.C., establishing himself as a respected figure in the Filipino‑American art community.
He was a popular artist in Middletown, New York, where he lived and owned an art gallery that became a hub for cultural exchange. Beyond his artistic career, Ballesteros served in the Vietnam War (1962–1969) as a U.S. Navy personnel and remained active in civic life as a member of the Masons, Gramercy Lodge No. 537.
Ballesteros’s paintings are distinguished by their bright, expressive palettes. He used a wide array of colors to convey positive messages, often seeing vibrancy where others might perceive muted tones. His works radiate optimism and warmth, qualities that endeared him to audiences both in the Philippines and abroad.
