El Paso artists continue to gain respect around the state and country, with invitations to show their work in exhibitions. They also are shipping out their work to join private collections across the nation.
Artist Diego “Robot” Martinez, known in the Borderland for his whirlwind of creativity, is among those seeing appreciation for their work expand beyond the region.
On Saturday, Aug. 23, Martinez will be featured in an exhibition of self-portraits, “All About Me,” at San Antonio’s UpLift Gallery, from 7 to 11 p.m. at 452 W. Mitchell St.
“San Antonio is gonna be an art show with my friend Albert Gonzalez, who is part of UpLift Gallery … where he’s showcasing 45 artists in the region. It’s 11 x 14 paintings, and it has to be a self-portrait.”
Martinez said for the work he used a portion of a photograph of himself with his brother when they were children, explaining that “I did a lot of layers and clear coats.”
He added that he used the image to “connect to the robot in a tree, kind of like a full circle moment, but also just very self-aware that you know the journey is still in a sense going as long as I’m living. And, so there’s beauty in that and I wanted to just kind of showcase that as a self-portrait.”
“It’s really hard for me to look at myself as the main character in this ‘movie’ that we were playing out, but this piece was really interesting for me. I just wanted to (express) love and positivity.”
The San Antonio invitation is the latest honor for Martinez’s work.
Recently, an NFT he created was shown on a New York City video marquee in Manhattan.
“That was part of OneLoveArtDao,” Martinez said, explaining that about 200 artists from around the world were nominated for the event. People then voted on who should be included.
“I was blessed to have started doing digital artwork for the hell of it just when there was the NFT thing that was really popular.”
He said that as a result, he met digital creators and art collectors and connected with artists in New Jersey and Philadelphia, which ultimately led to the opportunity.
In October, Martinez will be heading to Odessa to work for four days with Baron Batch, a former NFL running back for the Pittsburgh Steelers who also played for the Texas Tech Red Raiders.
Batch has since transformed into a multidimensional artist, designer, poet, entrepreneur, and community architect based in Pittsburgh.
Martinez will collaborate with him on a mural for a food bank, as well as on canvas paintings. Batch and Martinez also will unite for free art drops, which helps make unique, original art available to everyone.
Martinez said Batch also has offered to mentor him on aspects of the art business.
Martinez said social media has been key in expanding his audience and sales.
“There’s been people that have wanted to collect my stuff in London and the UK, and right now I’m not shipping outside of the United States, but I find it intriguing. I feel like YouTube and TikTok and definitely social media have helped boost a lot of that.
“I’m heading close to 150 sold items and shipments, so you know something that I started not even two years ago has been interesting to see the growth as far as online sales.”
Martinez credits FitFam El Paso with recently helping boost awareness of his art.
He said when the Instagram site shared his Manhattan post, his number of followers increased by up to 700 in a month, which he said was a personal record.
He added that webpage views and sales on his website in July also were at an all-time high.
“So, I guess the pressure for me now it is just to keep the momentum. I’m going to keep my numbers relatively close to that this month.”
Martinez says his intensity is fueled by “just keeping the workload going and staying hungry, never being satisfied.”
In recent years, Martinez helped lead some of the most creative galleries in the Borderland, but has since shifted to social media, adding that “having a show where it’s not a traditional gallery setting can be a little bit more free. There isn’t so much of a pressure to sell, but having a show outside of a gallery and just doing like a pop-up once a year for me has always been something fun.”
But art lovers who want to see Martinez’s work in person can view some paintings at the Hal Marcus Gallery at 1308 N. Oregon St. in El Paso. It is open from noon to 5 p.m. on Wednesdays.
“Hal Marcus, for me, has been a mentor since I was a kid,” Martinez said. “He’s been someone that I could look up to as an inspiring figure as far as setting the tone, the blueprint, and the guide to what it is to be a full-time El Paso artist, to really establish yourself and establish a setting and a legacy. And also being a good businessperson and knowing how to connect people.
“And he also for me has been someone that takes the time to really pick the pieces that he likes from my work, takes the time to frame them and give them that extra value that you know is often hard to find. Because sometimes putting a price tag on your artwork would be the hardest thing, but when you have someone that is inspiring, motivating you and helping you along those rough times, it definitely keeps you motivated.”
Martinez also has found a strong supporter in his wife, April.
He credits her for being there when “when people aren’t buying or when the sales are a little low or, you know, the ups and downs. She’s been the stability … so having that person that I can confide in and also count on to have my back when things get tough … that inspires me to be a good partner.”
“You know, nothing is ever easy, but she’s definitely the one that has been through thick and thin, but also it’s nice being home and focusing on the family. There’s not a real pressure to have art shows right now … just kind of kicking back.”
Martinez said he’s “taking each day as being present and enjoying the journey and knowing that things come in mysterious ways, and so we’ll see what happens.”
He said the “year seems to be getting better, and that’s all I can ask for.”
Editor’s note: The author occasionally collaborates with Martinez on artwork.
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