Silvia Martinez’s art provides a link to her roots
Silvia Martinez’s art is nothing short of bold. Bold colors, bold lines, bold statements.
It begins with a blank piece of paper, markers, maybe some colored pencils. But the first step in the process is always getting the paper.
Well, her art doesn’t really begin with just a blank piece of paper.
It begins during the pandemic, with “Cherry Bomb” by Tyler the Creator and with her sister, Kadir Martinez. The two sat together, listening and doodling, enjoying each other’s company and creating Silvia’s most vivid memories of art back in California.
Her mother had just told her the news: they would be moving to Kansas.
Silvia didn’t believe she was going to leave. She didn’t want to leave. Her friends, her family, her home; all were in California.
“It felt really lonely,” Martinez said. “I had lived with [several generations] of my family, so leaving with just my mom and sisters felt weird.”
But the family had to move. Silvia’s stepfather had gotten a new job.
Through renting a U-Haul, packing up all her belongings and driving for days, Silvia was always drawing.
Silvia’s art offered her a way to escape the pandemic, to distract herself from the anxiety of being in a new city.
It has been three years since Silvia moved to Kansas. She continues to take art classes each year, pulling inspriation from California, music and those around her.
As she became more comfortable in her art style, she began to incorporate aspects of Latino culture and history into her artwork.
Silvia is a first generation Mexican-American. She grew up with aunts, uncles, friends and family who all came from Mexico. Leaving behind her extended family made Silvia feel isolated from her culture.
“There are some Hispanic people here, but white people make up the majority of Kansas,” Silvia said.
This year she finds herself including history of The Civil Rights Movement, the Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), and the Brown Berets in her artwork.
Over the years, art has become much more than a distraction for Silvia. It has become a way to connect with her roots, her family, and her life in California. It continues to help her communicate her experiences, and to express herself.
“If you like drawing, keep drawing,” Silvia said. “It doesn’t matter if you’re very good at it. Just keep going, because all art is beautiful.”
Author's Note: The Martinez profile came during a time when I was stuck in the middle of a lot of things. It was almost the end of first semester and I was in the depths of writer's burnout, poor mental heatlh, changing family dynamic and the list goes on. Speaking with Martinez reminded me of why I write. Everyone has a story. During our first interview, she casually dropped that she had moved from California, as if we were talking about the weather. I went back to speak with her again and learned of her life back in California and how difficult to was to leave her family behind. She told me how isolated she felt. I hope it makes readers feel less alone and maybe inspire them to do something creative. I am very proud to know Silvia Martinez.
photo credit: Ashley Broils
cartoon/design credit of photo: Silvia Martinez