Jet Martinez

This piece of original artwork comes ready to hang.

"This piece is a recent example of a style I have been developing inspired by floral plate and vessel paintings done in the state of Michoacan in Mexico.

With this particular piece, the process was pretty fluid. I have been developing this style to create a faster and looser way to work on paintings. I start by preparing the panel and choosing a background color. Then I draw fairly rough shapes with chalk until I find a nice composition I like. I paint the flowers by using a techinique that some refer to as “one stroke painting”, where one puts two colors on the same brush and forms out the flowers petal by petal. To finish the piece, I give the whole composition and outline in bright gold around all the flowers and leaves. I add some golden embellishments, and voila!" - Jet Martinez



ABOUT THE ARTIST:
Oakland-based artist Jet Martinez (born 1973) is known for creating vibrant works of art that put a contemporary spin on folk art motifs. Originally from the small beach town of Tuxpan, Veracruz, Mexico, Martinez takes inspiration from his native culture’s rich traditions of pottery, weaving and embroidery. His latest murals enliven the rigid architecture of cityscapes with ornate patterns and entrancing, abstract visuals.

Rhythmic, floral patterns unify Martinez’s various series of paintings from over the past 10 years. He predominantly works with acrylic paint and enamel on panel, rendering organic shapes that push the boundaries of form and color. Much like the craftspeople who create the ceramics and textiles that inspire him, Martinez prioritizes technical skill and embraces the imperfections of the handmade.

Find more by Jet Martinez here.

Follow Jet on Instagram @jetmar1 & Facebook

Oakland-based artist Jet Martinez (born 1973) is known for creating vibrant works of art that put a contemporary spin on folk art motifs. Originally from the small beach town of Tuxpan, Veracruz, Mexico, Martinez takes inspiration from his native culture’s rich traditions of pottery, weaving and embroidery. His latest murals enliven the rigid architecture of cityscapes with ornate patterns and entrancing, abstract visuals.

An influential figure in Bay Area public art, Martinez served as the director of San Francisco’s acclaimed Clarion Alley Mural Project (CAMP) for 10 years from 2004 to 2014. His work with CAMP has been integral to the creation and preservation of public art in the Mission District, a historically Latino neighborhood known as a bastion for underground arts and culture.

Rhythmic, floral patterns unify Martinez’s various series of paintings from over the past 10 years. He predominantly works with acrylic paint and enamel on panel, rendering organic shapes that push the boundaries of form and color. Much like the craftspeople who create the ceramics and textiles that inspire him, Martinez prioritizes technical skill and embraces the imperfections of the handmade. Martinez has exhibited in reputable galleries and art institutions nationwide, including Joseph Gross Gallery, 111 Minna Gallery, White Walls Gallery, Museo de Arte y Cultura Latino Americana, Syracuse University and many others. He has painted murals in locales as diverse and Oaxaca and Zurich and created commissions for companies like Facebook, Hilton, Kiehl’s, John Fluevog and Redbull. Currently, he shares his Oakland studio with wife and fellow artist Kelly Ording and is focused on his muralism and studio practice full time.