Through radical forms and an unmistakable aesthetic sensibility, Martin experiments with line weight and function as a tool for two dimensional representation of three dimensionality. Creating a new balance between solidity, mass, and suggestion, thick lines are filled with the bubbling energy of thin, long scrapes throughout their length – adding both intensity and depth.

Boy In Blue, oil and acrylic painting hanging in collectors home courtesy of TEW Galleries.

Boy In Blue | Oil and acrylic on canvas | 72” X 60” in.

Martin’s desire to capture the essence of humanity and nature is central to her engaging work. To underscore how important it is, she refers to herself as a painting anthropologist. Nevertheless, she deals with the same problems that have obsessed painters throughout time—arresting movement, exploring the expressive potential of human form, and arranging bodies in space in novel ways.

As one of Los Angeles’ most historic, yet progressive properties, Hotel Figueroa has been a champion for women in the art and creative fields for nearly a century. The hotel was advertised as “an ideal stopping place for ladies unattended,” and served as a meeting place for practically every woman's club in Los Angeles.

These artists’ works will inspire, provoke, engage and mesmerize. With visual perceptions always changing, peek behind the stories told and you’re sure to find the right artistic expression.

Emphasizing narration and the tales that emerge through gesture and contour, America Martin’s compositions always conjure a captivating story.

America Martin : Timeless NOVEMBER 2020 at the J. Willott Gallery

Taking inspiration from Mid-Century Modernist masters, America’s distinctive style is underscored by the use of boldly brushed lines and punctuated bursts of color to imply tone and mood. She treats her subjects with an obvious reverence, and in a manner that captures their individuality and their dignity.

JoAnne Artman Gallery is pleased to present, Connecting the Dots, an exhibition featuring new works by America Martin. Referencing Paul Klee’s statement that, “A line is a dot that went for a walk,” the title serves as a fitting descriptor of Martin’s adept and exuberant use of line. Employing smooth, bold curves as well as hard, geometric strokes, she adheres to the most fundamental aspect of drawing - the line - to tell a story, connecting compositional elements and personal narratives throughout her practice.

Using smooth, bold curves as well as hard, geometric strokes, America Martin adheres to the most fundamental aspect of drawing…

We look back at excerpts from our conversations that highlight Martin’s studio practice, process, and the continuing inspiration for her most recent body of work.

“The idea of being present and really looking at a vista - a tree, a rock even, and seeing it change throughout a day was amazing,” she said about her plein air work around Chama last July.

Im so thrilled to have been able to work with you these last 10 years JoAnne. My they have gone by fast. But my dear JoAnne, Tayler and Erin, your support and belief through this particular junction of great action and change, will always be very poignant and special to me. It is fun to see new and old work side by side. For myself, I do not have favorite works. My favorite piece in the groovy hum that I will be looking for during the process of painting or sculpting the piece I haven’t made yet. But when I look at my older work, I remember doing each piece as if it was yesterday. Although I no longer work in the same way that I did then. It is interesting to see the choices, the ways of controlling space, line and color the way I did then, next to what I do now. What a great way to start off the year. Yip Yip!