AFRH-W Resident's Artistic Bio-Sketch
Micheal W. Martinez, U.S. Navy, May 2003 to present

I began painting with acrylics at the age of 29. Until then, I had only taken drawing and sketching courses in grade school; now, I was determined to become a painter...even if I had to be a self-taught one. At the age of "60 something", I retired and began painting full-time and willingly became a "student" of any mentoring retired artist. Withing two years, I developed my own painting style and "signature", (bold, bright colors w/mixture of impressionism).

Although, my painting subjects are eclectic, I have devoted most of my time since retirement to painting "streetscapes" of Washington, DC; landscapes, spiritual, and cultural aspects of the American southwest where I was born and raised; and thirdly, fantasy styles of butterflies.

DISPLAYS, EXHIBITIONS

1. PRIVATE SHOWS: Armed Forces Retirement Home. Spring Shows: '04, '05, '06
   "Street Scapes" "Southwest" "Butterflies are Free" Series
2. Painting Display, Trio Restaurant, 17th St, NW 6 months '05
   7 canvases (Trio's present menu depicts one of the paintings)
3. Alexandria, VA's Commission of Aging, "Young at Art" Juried and Art Exhibition:
   Accepted for exhibit: July '04 "Trio's Restaurant", July '05 "Dupont Spring", and July '06 "Pottery Glo II", Southwestern Pueblo pottery art ...
4. Dupont's Church of the Pilgrim's Art Exhibition, September '07 "On the Streets Where We Live, Work, & Play", depicting Dupont Cir., Logan Cir. and Capitol Hill. 22 canvases
5. Painting Display, Fusion Grill, 515 8th St. SE October '07
   Streetscapes: Dupont Cir. & Capitol Hill (Eastern Market) 18 assorted canvases
6. Dupont's Church of the Pilgrim's Art Exhibition, June '08 "Kachina Indian Spirits: Uniquely Different and Fascinating", 11 canvases
7. Pentagon Art Show (6/4/08) by artist of Armed Forces Retirement Hame, Wash. DC, Assorted "Streetscapes" 6/4/08
8. Capitol Hill Painting Display, Park Cafe, 106 13th St. SE, mid-June - Aug '08, 9 canvases
   "Streetscapes of Capitol Hill". One year after Eastern Market's Fire