Meet Brownsville Artist Jose Martinez

TAOB: Tell us about yourself: where you are from and what your profession is.
Jose Martinez: My name is Jose H. Martinez and I have lived in Brownsville most of my life. I have been involved in education since I finished college in 1984.  I received a music degree from the University of Corpus Christi and worked as a band director at St. Joseph Academy for five years.  I have also been a classroom teacher at St. Mary's School, Burns Elementary and The Teen Learning Community. I have been an assistant principal for the last five years, four of those years at R.L. Martin Elementary and for the last year I have been an assistant principal at Gladys Porter High School.
 
TAOB: How long have you been painting, do you have any formal training or are you mostly self taught?
Jose Martinez: I have been interested in art all of my life but have never received any formal training.  Everything that I do, whether in woodwork or painting mediums, is self taught.  Whenever we travel, I always make it a point to visit any art galleries we can find.  I particularly enjoy visiting contemporary art exhibits.

TAOB: You are a great supporter of the arts and are in attendance at almost every local art exhibition. How do you feel about the Brownsville art scene?
Jose Martinez: During the last few years, I see more and more art activities being scheduled in Brownsville and I think that it is very exciting.  I think that we have so much talent here locally and am happy to see that more venues are being provided for local artists to exhibit their work.  I am particularly very happy with the new location of the Museum of Fine Arts on 6th Street.
 
TAOB: Where have you exhibited your artwork and how often do you get to exhibit?
Jose Martinez: I have exhibited some of my paintings at the International Art Show at the Brownsville Museum of Fine Arts, at the Amigos Artistas art exhibit and at the shows hosted by local artist Toni Hudson at Imagenes Art Studio. My main reason for not exhibiting more often is my lack of time.  I am usually very busy with work at school and with my involvement at St. Mary's Church.  I am also a licensed massage therapist in the state of Texas and that also keeps me very busy.
 
TAOB: Where do you paint and how do you go about executing a painting?
Jose Martinez: I am always working on a painting or two but it usually takes me from several weeks to several months to finish.  I only work on them when I have a bit of extra time and that doesn't happen very often.  I do most of my work during Christmas break, spring break or during the summer months. 

I don't have any particular place where I work at home.  Sometimes I set up in the dining room, or in the family room depending on the size of canvas I am using.  I don't think that I have developed any particular style but lately, I have been experimenting with abstract painting.  Faces and bodies have always come easy for me to paint and draw and it is very difficult for me to place paint on a canvas without trying to make it look like something or someone.
 
TAOB: Do you have a favorite artist, local or historical, that you identify yourself or your artwork with? And if so, why?
Jose Martinez: I don't have any particular favorite artist.  I enjoy looking at the work of many different artists but, like I said before, lately I really enjoy looking at the work by any of the modern artists.
 
TAOB: Are you currently working or making arrangements to participate in any art exhibitions in the near future?
Jose Martinez: I don't have any plans on exhibiting in the near future but, hopefully, with the work of organizations such as Amigos Artistas and The Art of Brownsville and with the opening of more venues, it will become easier for local artists to exhibit.
 
TAOB: Please elaborate more on the painting in the photo that is posted above.
Jose Martinez: The painting in the photo is entitled "Skin" and it's a 50"X 60" oil on canvas.  What I mean to say through the painting is that we pay so much attention to what we see on the outside of a person, but that beauty is only skin deep.  Ultimately, what matters is what is in the inside and the spiritual side of who we are.
 
The painting in the photo with me standing in front of it holding a candle is a 40"X 60' oil painting entitled "Beginnings".  The painting is now owned by Stefan Schmidt in Bavaria, Germany. The candle I am holding is the paschal candle for our church.  Every year I make and decorate the candle that will be used at the church during our Easter celebration.  It is also a candle that is used during funerals and baptisms at the church.

TAOB: Mr. Martinez, thank you for your interview and for your support of the Brownsville art scene. We wish you much success on your artistic journey and are happy to provide insight about you as an individual and as an artist to our blog readers. Many thanks once again!


Readers, Brownsville artist Jose Martinez can be contacted via email at Eljoeconsafos@aol.com.

Interview by Gabriel Treviño.