epic mural collaboration !!!! this summer 2013

Dan Perez interviews me and my family .. Hope you like it " The Candle " a short documentary !

Please take a look at this video of my biography, my life, my family. Video from Dan Perez a really good friend !

Check out more of his work


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bTfqP0FRGiA

interviews new 2013 by a friend... Jeffrey Guard .. for the Self portrait sunday !

http://www.baxnyc.com/artists/self-portrait-sunday/

Marthalicia Matarrita: 11-17-13

 

Self-Portrait: Marthalicia Matarrita

 

Hi Marthalicia, you are a quite the painter! You work on multiple mediums, canvas, exterior walls, paper and much more--what medium do you enjoy painting on the most and why?

Why thank you Jeffrey! That's a great question, one that I find so hard to explain, each medium provides a unique mental and spiritual focus. The medium I honor most is pen and ink for its durability and easy access to thought and visual translations. I use pen and ink on paper because it’s a lot easier to pour out complex ideas while multi tasking or while on commute.

 

In addition, another important and very useful tool with pen and ink is the ability to use line work to create volume that later helps me tremendously with shade, or angles, of forms in a body, or atmosphere that I can later incorporate with other mediums such as acrylic or house paint. So you can say that pen and paper is my first "go - to " medium, the others simply amplify my artwork.

 

 

We also noticed that you served in the military--how did that experience shape your perspective as an artist?

It was a gradual process that led me into combat boots. From exposure to people that were already in my life that served in the arm forces; (such as my father in the Vietnam war and other close friends) I was inspired by their discipline and focus in life. Those types of behavior that I witnessed in my father and other soldiers gave me courage to jump in those boots too.

 

The martial arts that I practiced, (Aikido for 6 years), while I was a teenager until my early 20's also gave me the courage to pursue the life of a soldier. The combination of both martial arts and military discipline later proved to be a tremendous help in my behavior, focus and determination to be persistent in my art career! I never thought that those qualities would be factors that developed my work ethic as an artist, but they have played a key role in my success.

 

I joined the Army National Guard after realizing that they paid %100 of my tuition for college as an incentive. This helped me tremendously, during that time in my life, I was living in a homeless shelter and facing other family and living challenges.

 

 

How did you get started painting wall murals--where did you learn?

As I look back, I gradually started painting on large canvases in college at S.U.N.Y. New Paltz an experience that I am very grateful for! I started from a traditional 12 X 36 canvas to eventually painting a 7 feet tall by 9 feet wide work on raw canvas hide. Then I began to develop ways to translate lines into real shapes and color that helped me render ideas better.

 

Opportunities arrived after college, like getting to work with murals or collaborating on art projects with friends. This led the way for me to explore creating on public walls. Now, with each year that passes, I feel the more murals I do, the better I get (either using aerosol spray cans or house paint).

 

 

The fusion between animals and people that you paint and draw have become almost a trademark of yours--tell us a little about the imagery you use.

An artist goes through many phases, and it so happens that the animal and human relationships hit home for me at this point in my life, or this current phase. I wouldn't want to say I trademarked this language, I have seen many, many other artist use similar ways of painting. What gravitated me towards depicting animals are major natural disasters.

 

For example, I was affected on a deep level when Haiti was struck by that major earthquake, a few years ago, followed by the tsunami in Japan, and now with the Philippines being devastated from the recent super typhoon. And, what I noticed was that before each major catastrophic event, there was an eerie silence all through the land. The animals, the birds, the cows, dogs and other animals disappeared or were seen traveling away from the coastlines. I feel that we can all learn a little something from how the animals survive the many phases of natural disasters and how to cope through them. The animal-human imagery I often make is a way to translate those ideas and other methods of communication as away to understand oneself in this world.

 

 

What's next for you?

The current projects I have for this Fall / Winter phase include developing a children's book with a fellow friend, and producing a coffee rendering for Nespresso brand, more live art and in the Spring, I’m possibly booked for a solo show. I’m also working on new pieces that may or may not have animals, but will include other deep conversations about mental illness and spirituality.

 

 

Playing around ...... Spray paint and Mural contribution !

I was and still am calling out for more murals for me to me, and asking my community that is willing

for me to help beautify them as well.



I have always painting in large scale as well as in reasonable scale art works for people to purchase.

Lately I wanted to give make to the neighborhoods more of my through murals.



From the rooftop Legends to the streets of Brooklyn, I have been creating art for all.

The following are photos of various art work I was able to create this year, 2013 from spring to the

 end of summer, and I do hope to make some more to a near by neighborhood near you. I do hope

you like them

and there will be more soon ...

Thank you for spending the time to view my work, GOD BLESS YOU

~ Marthalicia Matarrita

THE ARTIST PROCESS part 3 ... details

      Going to be held on CRANE Street




On its third time running, "The Artist Process part 3", has been welcomed again at 5 Pointz Long

island City, Queens for a Live Mural collaboration and family event on July 20th 2013.


*(This is an Out Door event and free to the public)



16 artists or various discipline and experiences will join together to create a massive mural in front of

 a Live Audience by the public with family and friends. Each artist will be designated a 6 feet X 3

 feet letter. Each letter will spell out one phrase; " THE ARTIST PROCESS"



while the collaborative mural is under way, at the very same time, music will be conducted by

renown dj Sucio Smash ( formerly a radio host of High Water Music past on to by Robert "Bobbito"

 Garcia aka Kool Bob Love. radio channel WKCR.

The music is the glue that moves the visual artists as they complete the mural and as well a bboy and

 bgirl mini competition that will be held at the same time adjacent to the wall mural . There will be 2

 judges who will conduct the dance off and the winner will receive $ 200.00 prize.

2 0 1 3 ..... Puerto Rican Day parade .... Hosted by CAMARADAS on 115 street 1st ave. Vison by ROMAN VIAJEO HERNANDEZ

 
Viajeo last year approached me with a concept to help Camaradas participate in the Puerto Rican day

 parade, and he thought out the whole concept and methods to execute his ideas. The only obstacle

present was the he had so many obligations the he had to meet and feared that this special project

wouldn't be manifested on time to help aid the Camaradas , a local  neighborhood and community

bar.



Roman reached out to me via Facebook, and described his vision to me and from there we made this

 collaboration project a success!




On ... 2 0 1 2 , on a beautiful Sunday morning, I marched with Camaradas owner and their staff from

 50 street on 5th avenue all the way up to 77 street with my son and his father Wez.

A monumental experience !




This year .. 2 0 1 3 ..... once again the Camaradas owner reached out to me this time and requested in

 a very short notice if I was able to make two more Puerto Rican heroes and ground shakers of their

 times, The limited funds, and the many projects I was handling made me want to reject the project at

 first for I felt I would have overwhelmed my self and my family . But the strength of Love and

 courage to make this Powerful and impactful visual for the parade again , I couldn't refuse!



The following images I collected through the participants and art supporters !

THE ARTIST PROCESS .... Part One / (Year 2009 ), and below PART 2 / (year 2012) AT LEGENDARY GRAFFITI LANDMARK CALLED 5 POINTZ

I present to you : THE ARTIST PROCESS part 2

and amazing experience and family event, where 16 artist create a mural together. Some artist haven't

created a mural before, and others has years on the walls.

The Sounds provided by FUNKTION with Rich Rodriguez, Break Beat Lou and Sucio Smash, paired

 up with DJ Mute.




Some artist there were present that day traveled so far to join this unique project, artist like Michael

 Amorillo traveled from California for this once in a life time monumental experience with our New

 York brotheren!




Please take a moment to view the video, and comment if you like on how Art transforms Lives ...

Blessings to you all

~ Marthalicia Matarrita




                                          FOLLOW   THIS   LINK   BELOW


          http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PeE5UJXDbFQ

Stuff that happend early this year .. 2013 ....

The following is a group of events placed together .. *trying to catch up with ya'll

If you get a chance to go to Harlem, on 509 East 117 street 10035, in the Huge Mall, there is an Applebee on the Main floor before you hit the mall, and on the Second floor, you will see this ! Photo by the Urban Photographer hero Joe Conzo !!!

 

BACk ... 2013 ,... more update ( Bronx Museum )

Then .. This YEAR ... I was asked to paint Live for WOMEN'S HISTORY MONTH with Lexi Bella and Danielle Mastrion at the BRONX MUSEUM  but I will add a few more cardboard art that I couldn't fit on my previous blog . Enjoy ....

BACK .... 2013

so many great news to spread them here in just one blog post , but I will keep them very clean and consistent!

After Last year Puerto Rican Day parade, and group art show , following an emotional struggle, I vented via the Cardboard, and the following art projects were taking Life from an unknown inner source. I am happier now being able to translate and talk about issues where the heart can not.

I had a solo art show in Brooklyn this year and it was a tremendous success: