About the Artist
I am a Florence-trained artist, an ASU Gammage Teaching Artist trained in the Kennedy Center Arts Integration method, a NASA Solar System Ambassador, and a facilitator of therapeutic art and ancient healing techniques.
As a professional fine artist, I graduated from The Institute for Art and Restoration, Palazzo Spinelli in Florence Italy, which informs the artistic techniques facilitated throughout the sessions. Growing up between urban Texas and coastal Mexico, my paternal grandfather and great-grandfather were professional painters. One could say art is in my blood. To refine my skills, I later moved to Florence, where I studied at the Instituto Spinelli. My passion for art and culture has taken me around the world, with travels through the USA, Mexico, Italy, Spain, and Morocco influencing my work. I currently reside in Los Fresnos, Texas, with my husband and two children.
With over 21 years of experience as a professional artist, my dedication to my craft is evident in everything I do. While I primarily work with oil paint, I also enjoy exploring various mediums. Creating custom-commissioned paintings brings me immense joy, allowing me to connect with collectors and cater to their unique preferences.
Teaching Artist
As a teaching artist with over 15 years of experience and a background that spans both the U.S. and Mexico, Adriana Martinez brings a diverse range of perspectives to her work. A graduate of The Institute for Art and Restoration, Palazzo Spinelli in Florence, Italy, she is also trained in the Kennedy Center Arts Integration method as an ASU Gammage Teaching Artist.
Adriana specializes in nurturing a love for cultural heritage in children through art. Her teaching covers a variety of subjects, including creative aging, refugee funnel programs, trauma-informed creativity, and social-emotional awareness. By incorporating painting, drawing, creative movement, and arts integration, she helps students develop essential emotional and social skills while making the learning experience fun!
Inspiration
Adriana Martinez creates culturally rich paintings that celebrate the heritage of individuals and tribes. Her work focuses on portraits of those who wish to honor their cultural roots while emphasizing their uniqueness as individuals.
Her paintings deepen the viewer's sense of identity, expressing both the awareness of personal uniqueness and the interconnectedness of all people. Growing up, Adriana traveled between Mexico and the United States, profoundly influenced by the indigenous communities she encountered. Witnessing their experiences of discrimination highlighted enduring social class issues stemming from colonialism. Despite this, she was always treated with respect and kindness, and she was inspired by the grace with which they carried themselves.
Mission
Adriana’s mission is to honor a person’s cultural heritage through her portraits while celebrating their individuality. In a modern society that can often feel homogenous, her work aims to foster a deep sense of identity and connection—elements that can be overshadowed by technology and social media.
Through her art, Adriana emphasizes that being part of a “minority” race is relative, helping to diminish the power of racism. When commissioned for a piece, she engages in meaningful conversations, asking questions and researching the relevant cultures to integrate symbols and textiles thoughtfully.
Her art is for those who wish to celebrate their ancestral roots, and collectors often feel a genuine connection with her as an artist and advocate for cultural identity.