Today we’d like to introduce you to Nicole Martinez.
Nicole, we appreciate you taking the time to share your story with us today. Where does your story begin?
I have always been fascinated by visual art. My aunt is an artist, and during the holidays, she would offer to give me mini-drawing lessons. Then, one day, I found out about graphic design. This, to me, was the epitome of visual art because it was so crisp and clean. You could do anything with graphic design. I took a graphic arts class while in high school and quickly fell in love with all that I could do. I started creating t-shirt designs, which my friends began screen printing and selling. Then, I was asked to make flyers and brochures for my school. I was also asked to teach other students how to create logo designs. When a cutting-edge computer technology school from Arizona came to my high school to present virtual reality and computer animation as an avenue after graduation, I jumped at the opportunity. So, at the age of 19, I began my journey learning this new art form. I made friends who were also of the same mind and incredibly talented artists. I learned how to draw with paper and pencil and also in the virtual world. I would say this, more than anything else, has influenced me as an artist.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way? Looking back, would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
Artists always struggle with the voice inside their head that is constantly telling us we are not good enough. I have taken this voice and turned it around. Instead of hearing the voice say, “I am not good enough.” I add “yet” on the end. I am not good yet, but I am learning and one day I will feel confident in my skills. This re-framing has allowed me to sit in silence while I paint and to fall into a flow state, which is a deeply quiet place in the mind. The flow state is a magical place to be. It can come through artistic work and also through meditation. Painting is one of the best ways to calm the mind and feel the peace that flows through the universe.
Thanks – so, what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
I am currently a Waldorf teacher, and I practice my art in my free time. I have done graphic design and marketing as a freelance artist, and I would love to do this more. My art is channeled to me through Spirit. I see an image or concept, and then, as I sit down to depict what I see, more of the image begins to reveal itself. Recently I took a painting class with local San Diego artist, Stuart Burton. Painting with him allowed me to go deeper into my art and really challenge myself with a new medium. Lately, I have been working with oils, but most of my art is done with color pencil drawing. I have just completed my second book of art and poetry called “Everything and Nothing,” which is available on Amazon.
Where we are in life is often partly because of others. Who/what else deserves credit for how your story turned out?
I would like to thank my aunt Dede Plaisted for starting me on this journey towards learning art, my husband and family for always supporting me, Stuart Burton for teaching how to paint, and my friend Atmo for bringing me deeper into myself through meditation.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.desertsage000.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/desertsageandrose/
