"They've all come to look for America," lyrics from the legendary song America written by Paul Simon of the infamous Simon and Garfunkel. The song narrates the story of a promising journey between companions in an attempt to find America, and with a glimmer of hope in their eyes-the American Dream. Columbian-American Artist America Martin produces fine art that represents the freedom and success of the American Dream. With her vast use of color and the wisdom of Modern ideologies and artistic movements, Americaâs drawings and paintings infuse the viewer with a feeling of hope and enrichment. When the companions in the song finally see the moon rising over an open field, they feel as though their journey was meant to happen which is the same experience felt around Americaâs work. The journey to unearth art embodying heart, soul and spirit is found through America Martin.
Based in Los Angeles, Ca, Americaâs 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 Picassoâs early cubist works, dating 1906-1909, shaping canvases with a soft Cubist manner. Americaâs 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 âWild Beastâ artists that embraced a poetic, yet quiet energy.
Ad Reinhardt, an influential artist of the Modern Art movement, theorized that art should be more uncomplicated, a concept that America Martinâs work explores. âThe more stuff in it, the busier the work of art, the worse it is. More is less. Less is more. The eye is a menace to clear sight. The laying bare of oneself is obscene. Art begins with the getting rid of nature," Reinhardt.
America Martin paints without pretension but not without passion. She portrays a fervent energy that is both thoughtful and captivating, throwing her entire being and soul into her work.âThe 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,â America Martin.
All of our artistsâ 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!
