DPW Spotlight Interview: Erin Martinelli

Each week we will spotlight a different DPW artist who will give away one of their best paintings. To enter to win Erin's painting "Wine Time" go to Daily Paintworks and click on the link at the top of the page announcing their interview.

From Erin's DPW Gallery Page:

Erin J. Martinelli, is a Northern California artist who finds her inspiration in animals, nature, abstract, and architecture genres to create brilliant acrylics, etching prints, and watercolors. Erin J. Martinelli trained at the very early age of seven years old at The Casements in Ormond Beach, FL, the former winter home of John D. Rockefeller. She then later studied at Seabreeze High School, AP Art, under Nina Masters, and continued onto the University of Cincinnati, College of Fine Arts, Design, Architecture, Art and Planning. (click to read more)

Tell us a bit about how you first started painting.

At the tender age of seven years old I took an art class at The Casements in Ormond Beach, FL, the former winter home of John D. Rockefeller. I fell in love.


Did you have any stops and starts in your painting career?

Yes, in 2010, my husband and I had a beautiful baby, which took a lot of time away from my art.  Again, in 2014, I was suddenly diagnosed with Guillain-Barre Syndrome (GBS), a rare neurological disorder in which the body's immune system mistakenly attacks part of its peripheral nervous system.

After several years of recovering from GBS, I have finally re-entered the art world once again! Last year I joined as a member artist the Elk Grove Fine Arts Center, in Elk Grove, CA. I entered ten art shows, was juried in to five of them. I painted thirty pieces of new art in 2019. So far, in 2020, I am keeping up that pace! I have put together an art class and then show called Faces of Mary, at the local Catholic School. I have also painted eight new larger pieces of work in January alone.



Wine Time
(click to view)

Enter to win by clicking on the link at the top of the DPW home page announcing Erin's interview.

What mediums and genres have you experimented with?

Mediums I absolutely love are acrylics, and etchings. I find my inspiration in animals, nature, abstract, and architecture genres to create brilliant acrylics, and etching prints.


Which ones have "stuck" and which ones have fallen away?

Watercolor has always been interesting to me, and I enjoy it very much. However, the medium is slower and more controlling.

I prefer acrylic due to the medium's ability to work fast, and I do work very fast. Scratchboard is something I can do anywhere, anytime. Traveling for work, or after school extracurricular activities - scratchboard art gives me an opportunity to do art anywhere.

Ocean Rain
(click to view)


Which ones are you looking forward to exploring?

I am really diving deep right now into my acrylic work and more abstract painting. I am very excited about some of the pieces I have done.

Who or what inspires you most?

Light. Light and color inspire me most. In fact, this year I am working on a special series of about ten to twenty paintings called, “Light of the World Series,” to showcase light and color.

Salt of the Earth
(click to view)


What does procrastination look like for you?

Being a busy mom, full time employee, wife, and artist, there really is not any time for procrastination. Time is very important to me and I use every bit of spare time I get wisely. Having also been very sick with Guillain-Barre Syndrome (GBS), I realize how precious your time is, and that is something I do not take for granted.



What techniques work to ensure that you make time for your art?

I recently moved a very large armoire into the kitchen dinette area. This large piece of furniture houses all my supplies, and art canvases (although it is outgrowing this space rapidly!). Having that piece sitting right there where I see it every day reminds me to take time and paint. Someday soon we will complete a renovation on our home that will incorporate space that is already earmarked as my studio.

Faces of Mary
(click to view)


How do you generally arrive at ideas for your paintings?

Generally, I see something that catches my eye. A beautiful sunset, or light rays from early morning.  Commuting 1.25 hours each way to work, I look at nature all the time.


How do you keep art "fresh?" What techniques have helped you avoid burnout and keep your work vibrant and engaging?

This past summer I took a scratch art class at the gallery I am a member artist of, and I enjoyed it very much! In fact, I find that when I am getting tight in my acrylic paintings, it helps to do a scratch art to loosen up. Going from loose abstract bright colors and vibrant painting time to very detailed black and white art is very helpful to me. It creates a shifting of gears for me, and it is very helpful.



Octopus
(click to view)

What do you feel you are learning about right now as an artist?

Right now, I am learning what I love about the art I am creating and what I don’t like. I have spent a lot of time thinking about my art, what inspires me, and have chosen to focus and embrace the joy it brings me.



What makes you happiest about your art?

I love colors and light, and I enjoy looking at beautiful colors and images. It gives me a sense of great accomplishment to sell a piece, or create something special for someone.

Thanks, Erin!

© 2020 Sophie Marine