Renowned Artist Lands in Eagle Rock

Tag : fine art materials

Artist Daniel F. Martinez’s solo art exhibition, “InConsideration of Woman,” will officially launch its openingduring a reception at José Vera Fine Art & Antiques inEagle Rock on Saturday. The public is invited to the reception from6 p.m. to 9 p.m. The exhibition, which opened on July 5, will runthrough July 31.
Martinez is a fine artist, muralist, fashion illustrator, anddesigner. He was the Artist-in-Residence at the Museum of LatinAmerican Art in Long Beach for four years.
Martinez’s main thematic focus is the woman, whom he respectsand reveres, according to the exhibit announcement from thegallery.
Exhibition organizers write that Martinez depicts the women in hispaintings in vibrant color, using a variety of media to examine andcelebrate women of diverse ethnicities on multiple levels and indifferent settings. She is powerfully portrayed in romantic,exotic, even in mundane environments.
“The woman is seen swaying and dancing to Latin rhythms. Sheis found on a solo vacation; shopping with unlimited purchasingpower; dining and dreaming of past lovers and recent secretencounters,” say the event’s organizers.
Through his work, Martinez sensitively probes the female psyche, awoman’s innermost dreams and desires, her complicated andunpredictable spirit, attitude, frustrations, passions, andfantasies, they add.
In other works, Martinez deliberates upon the woman in a socialcontext, as in “Service With a Smile,” where a cocktailwaitress serves drunkards at happy hour. She endures their gesturesand bawdy comments to pay for her college education, according tothe artist.
Another piece, “Garden of Love,” is a montage oftextured fabric materials that portrays one of Martinez’sfemale friends. The layers of fabric represent the inner tiers ofher personality and her transformation through the years that hehas known her.
The museum describes Martinez as one of the most famous muralistsin Long Beach. His murals often focus on diverse ethnicities andcultures, with an emphasis on non-dominant cultures of theAmericas.
“I love the community in which I live, the ability to sharemy artistic talents with the public, the cultural traditions of myheritage, Martinez said. “Experiencing the culturaldifferences of the ethnicities in Southern California makes my lifemore enriched.”
On Saturday, July 26, from 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m., the Jose Veragallery will host a hands on art event for children. Martinez willguide kids in painting a mural and in other supervised artactivities. The event is open to all children and their parents.