EXUBERANCE: New Works by Colombian-American Artist America Martin

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE                                                     

JoAnne Artman Gallery, Presents in the Main Gallery:
EXUBERANCE: New Works by Colombian-American Artist America Martin

February 1, 2012 – March 31, 2012
Opening Reception: February 2nd, 2012 from 6-9pm to coincide with Laguna Beach Art Walk  
Please RSVP: 949.510.5481 by February 1st, 2012

JoAnne Artman Gallery
326 N. Coast Highway, Laguna Beach, 92651

Contact:  JoAnne Artman
Telephone:  949-510-5481
E-mail: joanneartman@aol.com
Web site: www.joanneartmangallery.com
Open Wed-Sunday, 11-5 & by appointment; First Thursday of every month 6-9pm

Ex·u·ber·ance  (g-zbr-ns): An overflowing amount; an outburst; an abundance!  All describe the works of America Martin!  We are pleased to announce America's third solo exhibition with amazing new works of pure joy!

America Martin is a Colombian-American fine artist based in Los Angeles. She is a traveler between mediums, insouciant in the conquest of new terrain.  Martin’s favorite landscape is that of the human form, her work is distinguished by a command of line and color, making playful reference to both classic and indigenous art forms.

About her work, America says, “The artist cannot be idle. It is only duty, love and discipline that make art. Inspiration exists, but it has to find us working. The artist is gluttonous, constantly devouring life in order to translate all that she sees, smells, lives or breathes into her own language. Why, and for what? For the blistering personal joy that comes when one is doing something of and about truth. There is no choosing this life. An artist paints because she must,” America Martin. 

America’s art reflects influences of Cubism, Fauvism and Minimalism.  With these combining forces she creates fresh, colorful palettes radiating with soft, subdued colors.  Her use of thick, continuous lines with flat, two-dimensional forms in single picture planes are reminiscent of Picasso’s early cubist works, dating 1906-1909, shaping canvases with a soft Cubist manner.  America’s arrangement of geometric shapes and figures mirrors the conceptual desires of the Minimalist movement, as seen in artists such as Frank Stella, including cubic forms lacking repetition and equality.  Another underlying inspiration found amongst her pieces is that of the school of Fauvism.  Concentrated colors painted over landscapes of distorted forms of rudimentary subject matter equate to that of the early 20th century “Wild Beast” artists that embraced a poetic, yet quiet energy.

America Martin’s work will inspire, provoke, engage and mesmerize.

JoAnne Artman Gallery is located at 326 N. Coast Highway in Laguna Beach and is open Wednesdays-Sundays from 11-5, and by appointment. Visit the first Thursday from 6-9 pm of any month to coincide with the Laguna Beach Art Walk. Street parking is available directly in front of the Gallery as well as the Downtown Parking structure located at Glenneyre Street. Take a stroll through the galleries and studios. See art come alive in North Laguna!