See Israel Martinez' work at the next RAW showcase at Cinespace in Hollywood on Thursday, September 2nd! He talks to RAW about his artistic career and his work. 

Tell us about yourself and how you got started making art.
I was born and raised in Oaxaca Mexico, and came to the United States when I was thirteen years old. I have always like to draw ever since I started going to school. I got into some trouble for not doing my homework and drawing in class most of the time. Drawing was something that I really enjoyed doing. I never took any formal art class until after high school, that was when I started taking drawing more seriously because I started seeing the works of artists that I had never heard of before, that really inspired me to keep drawing and I was really excited once I started to learn more about the art world and the fundamentals of drawing. 

I started showing my work at local restaurants and coffee shops while still attending school and that was where I sold my first drawing, I was just applying what I was learning in my art classes choosing something that I really like to draw. The drawing was of a figure of course, and from there, I just started creating more drawings and later paintings.

From where do you draw inspiration for your work?
Different things inspire me to keep painting. Back in high school, all I wanted to do was draw a nice portrait realistically. Painting never gets easy and that is an inspiration to keep trying harder every time I start a new canvas. I get inspired when I attend museums and look at good paintings (who doesn’t anyways), I also get a lot of Inspiration from music and books. I like romantic Spanish songs, and of course people inspired me. My models for the complements I get from them when they see themselves in my paintings, this motivates me to keep improving my art.

What do you love most about what you do?
I like the whole process of painting, from the idea to the last brush strokes. I like the fact that I get to choose what I really like to paint and that I really love what I do. I never get bored at it, if I am not working on a painting, I am planning ideas in my sketch book or sketching my daughters while at home running around or asleep. When I go out for a coffee, I always have my sketch book for any ideas or just to sketch people, this helps me exercise my hand and sharpen my eyes.

Medium of choice?
Oil paint on canvas. Most of my paintings are done on canvas or linens but I also paint on panels.

Are there any artists, past or present, who strongly influence your work?
My work is influenced by many artists from master painters such as Diego Velazquez, Anthony Van Dyck among others to American Illustrators. I choose wherever I like from different artists and apply it to my work.

Any accomplishments you are most proud of?
I have had six solo shows in addition to group shows, I have also painted live at art shows. I have been teaching drawing and painting at private schools for 10 years. Currently I run my own classes and hold painting workshops twice a week.

Why showcase with RAW?
RAWartists - it's a great community and very professionally presented. I look forward to this event.

Outside of your craft, how do you like to spend your time?
Outside what I do professionally I like to go to bookstores and to coffee shops and meet with other creative people.