Today we’d like to introduce you to Maclovia Martel.
Hi Maclovia, can you start by introducing yourself? We’d love to learn more about how you got to where you are today?
I was born in New York City. Both my parents were Broadway Dancers (that’s how they met). My mother especially (Carmen Gutierrez Born in Mexico City). She was in The original Broadway show of West Side Story, The King and I, Candide, Finian’s Rainbow, as well as early TV Variety shows. She began making clothing for the Dancers- one being Francis Taylor, Miles Davis’ first wife who was also in West Side Story. Miles loved her. She then became a dress designer in New York with her own line of clothing. This is 1961 ish (Miles Davis would buy my mothers designs at stores for Francis not knowing they were my mother’s designs)
They brought the business to California in 1970 so this is where I grew up. I was always surrounded by dancers and writers… friends of my parents. But the biggest impact on my life besides my mother’s talents was my grandfather’s Impressionist Art that my father inherited. My grandfather, Paul Jean Martel, was an Impressionist painter from Belgium. He would go back and forth from the United States to Europe. My grandmother, Muriel, was an American whose family lived in Philadelphia. I never met my grandfather (1879-1944). He passed way before I was born. He has been called by a historian the Missing Link Between European and American Impressionism. His artwork was at Montgomery Galleries in San Francisco for about 18 years (1987-2004)
I to went to Art school- at Otis College of Art and received my Bachelors in Fine Art. I also was in bands- writing songs and performing in Hollywood and Los Angeles. Art was in my blood as a child. I was always drawing or playing my guitar. Writing songs and listening to all kinds of music. Thankfully I was blessed with amazing parents who supported my talents.
After Art and Music, I began encompassing all I learned into creating documentaries. I learned how to edit and began making one on my mother’s life in 2011 called “A Girl from Mexico. It was accepted at the Prestigious Lincoln Center, Dance on Camera Film Festival in 2013. My mother was a Rock Star with the Juliard students next door.
This began my inception into filmmaking and Screenwriting. Which is where I am today. I have won a few awards and I’m very much into telling a good story.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
Never a smooth road. Lots of learning curves and growing. Especially with my music. Lots of promises that were never kept, rejection and disappointment. With most artists, I feel this to be true. But we keep going. I know my grandfather went through the same struggles with his art. Lots of risks in the Art world. I’m a risk taker… natural born.
I now own the collection of my grandfather’s art. We had a beautiful show in 2015 at the Palos Verdes Art Center. He sold well. Brilliant, master artist.
Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
I am now a Film director/editor for documentaries as well as for inspiring heart felt ones. Creativity in Education with Sir Ken Robinson as well as Influential woman leaders. I am most proud of the documentary I made on my mother and her dance/fashion career.
Being a young girl from Mexico and ending up in New York Cities Broadway musicals as well as a fashion designer … Wow! She was a true influencer before that term came out. Inspiring, talented and stayed the course. She passed away last year at the age of 95 yrs.
If you had to, what characteristic of yours would you give the most credit to?
I think passion is very important. To me, it’s a form of meditation when you’re working on a project and you get lost in that zone. What time is it? Did I eat?? Who cares! I’m creating! That goes for all the arts. Getting lost in that zone is great!
Contact Info:
- Email: [email protected]
- Website: www.pauljeanmartel.com
- Instagram: pauljeanmartel
- Facebook: Carmen G is a Girl from Mexico
- Other: https://vimeo.com/444379151
