Nancy Martini Eco Artist - Miami

Wynwood Green: A Day of Firsts

2012-01-30T06:42:00.002-05:00

Wynwood known for Saturday night art walks now has a new bold green happening taking place the last Sunday of every month to bring people to Wynwood in the daytime by hosting a family friendly monthly outdoor green festival from 12pm to 7pm.

Mary Keel of 305 Green invited me to display my eco art and talk about upcycling and art as eco activism. I wasn't sure what to expect, but I thought it was a wonderful idea, so off I went.

Yesterday, after I unloaded and set up all of my art, my daughter and I were hungry. As vegetarians, it is usually hard to find food that we can eat. We met Ryan and Mike from Bocaditos who noticed us struggling with their menu and asked if they could help. When we told them that we were vegetarians they announced that anything on the menu could be made vegetarian without our food touching any pans that were touched by the meat that they were preparing. Wow! I was so impressed. They were happy to accommodate us. Not only that, when we ordered one order of fries they paid attention to the argument my daughter and I were having. I wanted spicy fries and she wanted plain. Because I was only going to have a few, I ordered the plain. When I went to pick up my order they split my single order in half, one spicy and one plain without even asking me!

To my delight, my whole day continued on the same happy path. Everyone I met was kind, gracious and willing to share their love of environment. Wynwood Green is definitely a place to check out next month.

I wish Wynwood Green continued success. Taking charge of our neighborhoods and making them healthy, green and safe takes a community of caring people. I hope you join Wynwood Green next month to be part of the solution. It starts with one voice and one single action.

Nancy Martini

Here are a few of the amazing people I met yesterday...

Ryan and Mike from Bocaditos Food Truck

Meadow and her daughter

Daniel Wills from The Armory Miami who shared
his fabulous studio and space for the event. Thanks Daniel!

Jeff Lillie (center) with his team from Marathon Bio-Diesel

Me with Mary Keel on the right

Art Friedrich (center) of Urban Oasis Project

Contenti Cupcakes

Cooking Classes for kids

Dean on the Right (one of the organizers)

Rafael Calvo of Calvo Design

Saira Jacobs from Vintaj Mahal

Onsite installation of a skateboard ramp

Cool balloon artist.

Demonstration on how to correctly position
your body while gardening yoga style.

Speaking Sunday at 2:00

2012-01-26T01:24:00.000-05:00

New GREEN event coming to Wynwood, Sunday, January 29th from 12 to 7pm

I am so excited about Wynwood Green! I will be speaking at 2:00 about upcycling and will be exhibiting a few of my paintings in a workshop, conversation setting.

Please join me on the green adjacent to Armory Studios in the heart of Wynwood (572 NW 23rd Street, Miami) for music, demonstrations, workshops, food and fitness.

Bike, pet and recycle-friendly!

For more information visit wynwoodgreen.org

My work

2012-01-06T10:13:00.001-05:00

The ocean and the coral reef have been the focus of the few paintings below. I have chosen two techniques to create the work. Both techniques use encaustics (beeswax, damar crystals and pigment.) However, one technique uses the wax applied directly on wood and the other is where wax is manipulated on a heated surface and then a paper print is taken from the image and reworked with pencil.

The Largo Release

34" x 48" Encaustic on Wood

December 10, 2011 I watched by best friend’s son release his parents ashes into the sea just off Key Largo. He walked proudly down the dock, wearing his father’s hat. I decided to think of that day as a beginning, not an ending. That life is forever renewing and reinventing itself just waiting for us to live it.

Seafood or Sea Life?

34" x 48" Encaustic on

Wood

Seafood is printed proudly on most menus. I wish it would read sea life instead of seafood. By choosing plant base dinners we can make a difference in the depletion of our oceans one plate at a time.

Worth Restoring

23” x 17” beeswax, pigment and pencil on paper

I am sure car dealerships would love to see everyone purchase a new car this year. We look at old cars and see all the work that is involved in keeping them in good working condition. My son, Alex, drives an old, very used, 1979 Firebird. It needs a lot of work, but he loves his car and doesn’t see all of its imperfections.

The day when he went to get his car painted after weeks of sanding and preparing the surface, I realized that in order to restore anything first, you have to love what you are restoring whether it is an old car, a relationship or the Coral Reef.

Art Fallout at the Girls' Club Collection

2011-10-16T16:30:00.013-04:00

Saturday, I participated in the Art Fallout at The Girls' Club Collection in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. It was an interesting exhibition where people who viewed the exhibit participated by writing notes to the various artists next to their work on color coded, stick on "Post It" note paper. Art Critics had pink Post Its, Artists had blue Post Its, Adults had green and children were assigned the orange Post Its.

Above is the piece I submitted titled: "Protect Me." It measures 23.5" x 17" produced in beeswax, pigment and pencil on paper. This piece is the first in a new series of work to bring awareness to the Coral Reef and the need to protect the reef. By putting people in the work, I wanted to show how connected we are to the health of the ocean and how we can still make a difference. Not only will I be sharing my ideas through my work, but I will also be giving 50% of the profits to help rebuild the reef.

There was a long table in the middle of the exhibit with simple instructions on how to use the post its written on the cardboard covering.

The pieces were all hung clothesline style with clips.

Reading the Post Its were just as interesting as looking at the art. It was an inventive way to keep the crowd there instead of moving on to the next gallery because everyone wanted to read each new posts and comment on other posts as well.

Nancy Martini

South Miami Manatee Fest Supports Local Artist

2011-05-23T09:14:00.016-04:00

Friday night I went to the kick off party for the South Miami Manatee Fest headed by Heather Bettner from Prince Media Development hosted at the 1st National Bank of South Miami. The manatees were seven feet tall and all painted by different local artist fashioned after the Chicago Cow Parade that was so successful in 1999. Many cities like South Miami have replicated the cow art outreach with every imaginable animal.

Rosie Brown above, painted this manatee she named "Willy" for her sponsor Williamson Cadillac. Rosie cleverly incorporated a race car on the base of the manatee and then made the manatees into race car drivers.

Heather Bettner at the lectern, introduced all of the artists including many of the students who participated as well.

South Miami Mayor Stoddard above, was there with proclamations for each sponsor. Stoddard declared May 20th as Manatee Fest Day.

Renato Salazar, of TotalBank, sponsored this manatee above painted by Mano.

Marcie Ziv above, with her manatee along with her husband Jay. Marcie paints beautiful animals like this all the time in many shapes, sizes and varities. Check her work out if you would like a specific animal of your own.

Lastly, I always seem to find the behind the scene, tucked away treasures. When I was leaving the Manatee Fest, I went to see 1st National Bank's gallery space. They have a beautiful gallery where they feature ongoing shows every month. At the end of the gallery, I discovered the amazing work of Maria Ramona Sanchez. She has a beautiful style working in oils on paper. My photograph does not show all the detail she puts into her work. She paints and then paint on top of the same area. After which, she then scrapes away the top layer of paint to reveal the painting behind... stunning!

It was a great kick off! Introducing artists to the community is environmental. Purchasing local art is the same as purchasing local food. We have so many fabulous artists right here in Miami. Please support local art events and get to know the artists that make our city what it is!

Nancy Martini

One for the Arts!

2011-05-12T09:07:00.000-04:00

Tuesday, I took the Metrorail to the Metromover where I walked under a covered walkway connected to the Hyatt where the Art and Business Council of Miami had their annual Serving the Arts Luncheon to honor those who have given their time, talent and treasure to the arts.

It was a full house! My favorite part was witnessing Knight Foundation's commitment to bringing art to the people by pledging 1000 random acts of culture. In the photo below the lady in the black dress holding a program and a purse is actually singing opera. As you can see by this photo, everyone is delighted as you can see by all the people smiling as they watch and listen.

The way random acts of culture works is people just start singing in the middle of everyday life as if you are suddenly swept up inside the set of a musical or opera. These performers go to the people to introduce their art whether they are at a shopping mall, a park or an event much like a flash mob.

After the singers are finished, signs are help up and they hand out cards for the opera... brilliant!

The luncheon was filled with people who support the arts and many awards were given out. At my table (featured above) Louis Wolfson III of Pinnacle Housing Group has a passion for art in public places. He is currently supporting the smARTy dog program to help bring smart boards to public schools. Wolfson was recognized as a Shinning Star Supporter for the Arts.

Heather Bettner of Prince Media Development, above, was recognized as an Arts Hero for her work in art in public places. Heather works to bring art and community together as well as helping charities though the proceeds of the sale of the art. She began with the hugely successful Coconut Grove Peacock Tour in 2011 and has continued to bring art to South Miami with the Manatee Fest (Kick Off Party May 20th) and smARTy Dogs to Pinecrest.

I was a guest of Heather's and as I looked around our table I realized how much Heather had reached out to our community by who she invited to her table. She invited Pinecrest Mayor, Cindy Lerner, South Miami Mayor, Philip Stoddard, Kate Callahan who is running for Miami Commissioner, Louis Wolfson III, Doris Meltzer, and artists Alex Yanes and Marcie Ziv.

It wouldn't be an art appreciation ceremony without Mr. Ziff (above). He may need a walker to get there, but he is still going strong and still committed to the arts!

Thank you to all of you who support the arts and understand how important art is to our everyday quality of life.

Nancy Martini

Common Roots: A Sneak Preview

2011-05-03T04:57:00.015-04:00

Please join me TONIGHT, May 3rd at 6:00 at the Miami Beach Botanical Gardens for the Arts at Saint Johns art exhibit called: Common Roots. It is an exhibit featuring the work of thirteen arts all working in different mediums with the common theme of native plants of Florida.

When I went to drop off my paintings, Carol Hoffman-Guzman, Founding Director of Arts at St. Johns and her crew were there happily receiving all of the artists and their work.

Here they are making some last minute decisions on which paintings to choose from Julio Figueroa's, a professional botanical illustrator, work.

John Defaro, artist, was hanging his work: "Who is in the Nest?" It is an amazing piece made mostly from Royal Poinciana seed pods. I find this piece of John's work so interesting because of the way he used soft natural curves of natural elements mixed with harsh lines of the broken mirror so when we look in and see our reflection becoming part of the art... brilliant!

One of the main reasons that I like to enter my work into the Arts at St. Johns' exhibits is because everyone is so welcoming and friendly there. When people view my work, I want them to feel comfortable and at home. This is exactly how you will feel tonight if you come to the show.

Not only is the space welcoming, but you also get to wander through the garden on your way in. The garden is a beautiful oasis in the middle of urban structures and busy street traffic. Nestled in between the Miami Beach Convention Center and the Holocaust Memorial, the Miami Beach Botanical Garden is a wonderful place to visit if you haven't been there.

The paintings will be exhibited all week so, if you can't make it tonight there are plenty of opportunities to stop by.

On Saturday, the 7th from 9:00am to 12:00 noon there will be a Go Green event at the garden. They will be selling native plants (yea!) and having speakers talking about green issues and even having a workshop on how to make your own rain barrel.

Nancy Martini lives and works in Miami using her art to bring awareness to environmental issues.

Please Join Me for TWO Garden Events

2011-04-28T08:55:00.008-04:00

The first event is Saturday, April 29 and Sunday May 1st at Fairchild Tropical Gardens at the Food & Garden Festival from 9:30am to 4:30pm

I will be at Fairchild Tropical Gardens this weekend from 9:30 to 4:30 and speaking at 1:30 on Sunday about Art as Eco Activism. I will be explaining the need to plant Milkweed in order to help the low population of Monarch Butterflies. I will have seeds for you to plant and demonstrate how to upcycle a newspaper into a small seedling pot.

Then at another garden...

Please join me Tuesday night, May 3rd from 6:00pm to 8:30pm for the Arts at Saint Johns Common Roots art exhibit at the The Miami Beach Botanical Gardens (across from the Miami Beach Convention Center).

From 6:00pm to 8:30 pm, you can see an exciting show about native plants of Florida. Thirteen artists, including myself, will be exhibiting photographs and paintings in many different mediums. The paintings I will be exhibiting are all done in encaustics (natural bees wax) which are part of my new collection exploring nature within the few miles that I walk each day called: " Behind the Fence." Through these paintings I hope to learn about the nature that surrounds our everyday life by bringing to the forefront all the overlooked inhabitants that we hurriedly pass by in our busy lives; many of which hide in sacred spaces behind guarded fences.

The painting featured above is called: "Missing Monarchs." It is an environmental call to action to inspire people to plant more Milkweed seeds to help the survival of Monarch butterflies who's larvae can only feed on this one particular plant.

The paintings will be installed Tuesday and hang throughout the week concluding with a Go Green event Saturday, May 7 from 9:00am to 12:00pm.

Two beautiful garden events back to back... Hope you can make one of them!

Nancy Martini

Artist

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Art as Eco Activism

2011-04-03T06:36:00.011-04:00

Title: "Listen First"

Medium: 90% upcycled material

(33" x 30")

Pinecrest Gardens has asked me to present my work and to talk about my mission as part of their Earth Day celebration this Sunday.

Please join me Sunday, April 10th from 11:00am to 4:00pm at Pinecrest Gardens. I will be exhibiting a few of my paintings from two of my collections and speaking about upcycling, nature and my work about environmental issues. My talks will be every half hour starting at 12:00 with the last one at 3:30.

Because one of my paintings is about helping the Monarch butterfly, I will have milkweed seeds and seedlings for you to plant in your garden. I will even demonstrate how to upcycle newspaper into a small pot to plant your milkweed seeds!

To find me... walk into the entrance of the garden, past the outdoor amphitheater and follow the path to the left. I will be in the first section on the left where the old Parrot Jungle bird habitats use to be.

It's going to be a lot of GREEN-ECO fun for everyone and it's FREE! Come in the garden for the Earth Day activities and visit the farmers market under the banyan trees on your way out. I hope to see you there!

nancymartini.com

Encaustic Painting: Missing Monarchs

2011-03-24T16:39:00.006-04:00

"Missing Monarchs"

23” x 34” encaustic (beeswax) on wood
$750.

This painting was inspired by Milkweed blooming in my garden next to my outdoor studio. I often see Monarchs flutter past me while I paint. I have a lot of butterflies, so I was surprised to learn that in 2002, 270 million Monarch butterflies died due to freezing temperatures while they were wintering in Mexico.

A Boca Raton organization established in 1993 by Chris Singer, Live Monarch Foundation, offers Milkweed seeds for free in order to restore their habitat loss across North America. The Monarch butterflies migrate from the eastern seaboard to the mountains of central Mexico up to Canada and sometimes the butterflies do not survive due to weather, food and human encroachment.

Please consider planting Milkweed in your garden or in a pot on your patio. Each adult Monarch butterfly needs more than one plant to survive. Milkweed is native to Florida, so it will survive happily in your garden.

I have found that children learn to love the environment and its tiny creatures by participating. It's pretty easy to put a few seeds in your garden. I am sure everyone will love watching the Milkweeds grow and to see the Monarch's cycle from caterpillar to chrysalis to butterfly all in your own backyard.

2011-03-22T14:03:00.012-04:00

Springtime: Miami Style

Without looking at a calendar, I know it's spring when the Tabebuia Trees burst in bloom into brilliant color. They are usually right on time and in full bloom for March 21st arrival.

Many Tabebuia trees line the streets of Miami without a notice all year long. They blend into the landscape with their grey wooded trunks and light sage leaves that barely cover the branches. When spring arrives they scream for attention! Bursting all at once in bright lemon yellow. Some of the Tabebuia trees are pink, but very few and the pink is a light soft shade.

I have two Tabebuia trees in my garden, one pink and one yellow. The yellow one blew down in a hurricane a few years back, but I had it propped back up and luckily it survived. The yellow Tabebuia is in my butterfly garden right next to my outdoor studio where I work in encaustics (beeswax and Damar resin).

Above are the steps that lead to my outdoor studio. The Tabebuias bloom as fast as they drop their blooms so, the blossoms create a magnificent carpet of flowers.

Behind my studio, is a street where people pass by.

My butterfly garden is slowing growing. To the right is a butterfly ginger that hates the cold but, hopefully it will regrow soon.

Lastly, here is my encaustic studio space where I look out into my garden as I work. I am so inspired by the nature that surrounds me. Spring is here and a perfect time to paint outside. I will be posting some of the painting I am creating in encaustics soon. It's not hard to guess that they are filled with images from my garden.

2011-03-18T07:46:00.016-04:00

A New Green for St. Patrick's Day

Last night, instead of the usual green beer and corn beef and cabbage. I convinced my husband (who is not a vegetarian) to join me in a new, very green St. Patrick's Day celebration. We went to the Sacred Space in Wynwood to eat raw vegan food at this month's Conscious Bite Out.

The Conscious Bite Out is a monthly vegetarian dinner party organized by two women, Marcela Andron and Veronica Menin both cooks and holistic health counselors.

Upon arrival, I thought there was a security check because there was a line formed behind one quest with their arms spread out straight while a woman waved what looked like hand metal detector over them. Thankfully, I was wrong. It wasn't a metal detector; it was a smoking, lit sage wrap to eliminate negative energy from all who entered.

Once we stepped inside, we were treated to yummy guacamole, seeds, nuts and Veev Acal Eco Mojitos in the gallery space. After the sage ritual, I thought the space inside would be relaxing and organic looking but, instead the music was turned up and the surfaces were slick and shiny. This space would have been perfect used as an art exhibit for guests to move, mix and mingle looking at art while drinking wine and Mojitos before dinner. However, there was one eco-sculpture on the floor made of newspaper bundles bound in thick twine. Otherwise, the entire space was bright white flooded with very tall, beautiful, young women in six inch heels and short pretty dresses.

After Eco Mojitos, we were invited to sit at the communal dinning table. The table was spectacular! The table had to seat at least 70 people. I love the idea of sitting everyone together, however I wish the table was about 12" narrower because it was too wide to talk easily to the people sitting across from us. We met so many interesting people there that cared about the environment and cared about the type of food that we were eating that we had a lot to talk about.

Instead of just one chef cooking our dinner, we were treated to three. The dinner began with my favorite dish of the eventing. Chef John Schott from Lifefood Gourmet made the most amazing raw vegan taco as an appetizer. Then, he made a spinach soup that was delicious as well.

Next, Chef Jonathan Gambino demonstrated how to cut a coconut and served us coconut rice and mushrooms with grape tomatoes.

The final Chef, Lisa Valle from Green Wave demonstrated how to make raw vegan blueberry pie. She explained how blueberries have a natural pectin in them so they work very well as a thickening agent.

For dessert, we were served the most amazing raw vegan dessert I have ever tasted. This dessert could be served at any dinner party without anyone realizing it was good for you. Chef Valle created a crepe out of coco, agave and coconut oil which she filled with a creamy mix of blended nuts that looked and tasted like cream topped with mint leaves, delicious! She also served the blueberry pie that she demonstrated. Unfortunately, we missed tasting because we had to return home to our youngest son who wasn't feeling well.

It was a wonderful event that I highly recommend. I hope to return soon and see what they cook up next.

Cheers to a NEW GREEN celebration for St. Patrick's Day!

2011-03-12T05:29:00.014-05:00

Space for a Peacock?

A year ago, I participated in the Peacock Tour by painting a five foot peacock for my sponsor The Fresh Market in Coconut Grove, Florida. Using upcycled pie pans that were embossed and attached to the sculpture, I subtly included an environmental component. Many people who I had the opportunity to talk to had no idea, when they looked at the embossed attachments, that they were looking at something most people throw away or toss in the recycle bin.

When I began the Peacock Project, I had the intent to give back to the community in a way that I could through my art. Now after many months of being displayed in front of The Fresh Market, my peacock will continue to give to the community by benefiting Shake-A-Leg through its sale at this week's Auction Gala Wednesday, March 16 at Paragon Theatre 13 at 6:00pm.

Twenty-three other peacocks will be auctioned off by other local artists including Sauma, Lebo, Dan Bondroff, Pablo Cano, Ed King, Eileen Seitz, Fred Hunt, Britto, Meme Ferre and many more. Each peacock has a different charity that the funds from the sales will benefit which include: The Miami Heat Foundation, Casa Valentina, Coconut Grove Woman’s Club, and Boys and Girls Club of Miami.

I hope that you will join me this Wednesday night to celebrate a successful art in public places event spearheaded by Heather Bettner of Prince Media Development that not only gave life and creativity to Coconut Grove, but gave us a chance to pause and smile.

Tickets are $50 with opportunities to win hotel stays, spa packages and gift certificates to local restaurants. Seating is limited, but are still available at the Paragon Theatre box office or online at paragontheaters.com

2011-03-07T21:27:00.008-05:00

The Everglades: where I go to recharge and refuel...

Last weekend I camped in the Everglades and woke up early Sunday morning to watch the sunrise over the alligator holes on Anhinga Trail. It was a perfectly tranquil morning. Alligators were lurking, quietly searching for food while black vultures soared so close above my head I could hear the wind lightly howl as the vultures flew past. It was amazing! I had never felt or heard that before.

The bromeliads were in bloom! As I walked around the corner with the sun behind me I saw this amazing Great Blue Heron on top of all the blooming bromeliads. The sun was rising behind me and lit the Heron in a warm glow of light. No photograph could ever capture what I really saw, nor could I paint the expression of complete peace and harmony.

Anhinga are plentiful on the trail and this anhinga allowed me to get about a foot away to take his photo.

When I returned, I tried to keep the same calmness with me that I felt in the Everglades as I painted. My new paintings (that I will post soon) are all in encaustics and are about the nature that surrounds me everyday.

2010-12-07T07:02:00.024-05:00

My Art Basel Favorites...

After breakfast at the Rubell Family Collection last Thursday, I went to the Convention Center to see Art Basel. I went early so I could meet Michelangelo Pistoletto and hear him talk about his new book, The Third Paradise. He talked about his version of the infinity symbol that has a large circle in the center with two smaller circles connected parallel to each side. Where the Third Paradise consists of artificial needs and comforts leading to over consumption and corrosion of the natural planet. When asked, "What advise would you give young artists?" He simply replied, "change the world."

Michelangelo Pistoletto

There is so much to see at Art Basel, but here are a few of my favorites...

Favorite use of space...

I only wish they would have painted the floor as well. I have seen it done, but you have to bring in your own flooring to paint.

Favorite interactive art...

This was a huge heart like shape that was constructed out of wood with bench like seating inside. In the center there was a drum with a drumstick hanging from the ceiling on a bungie cord. While we sat inside we pulled on the bungie cord so that the drumstick would bounce down and repeatedly hit the drum like a heartbeat.

Reproductor, by Rochelle Costi

The instructions:

1. choose and take an image from the wall.

2. fit it to one of the tables (on the left of the glass if you are right handed, on the right if you are left handed)

3. copy the image using a pencil or a pen.

4. hang it back on the wall where you found it.

5. hang your drawing on the allocated walls.

The red plexiglass provided a reflection from the photograph that made it easy to copy. It worked like a light box. My favorite part about this exhibit is that it enabled everyone who participated an opportunity to say their art was displayed at Art Basel!

Favorite piece that people question, "Is that art?"

Favorite use of material...

The clothing on these men are all made from buttons.

This piece by Mondongo center panel is made from stickers and the two side panels are carved.

Close up of the stickers used in the center panel above.

I hated seeing his use of a bird, but the skull covered with iridescent beetles is quite unique.

Birdseed sculpture

Matchboxes

Favorite place to take a photo in front of...

Lastly, my favorite piece...

Al Anatui

2010-12-03T07:06:00.017-05:00

Breakfast Basel Style at the Rubell Family Collection

Jennifer Rubell

Thursday was the second day of Jennifer Rubell's Goldilock's breakfast for which I arrived early hoping to meet Jennifer. As I predicted, most of the press had moved on to another Basel sighting so I got a chance to talk to Jennifer plus she had the time to pose for a photo for me... thanks Jennifer!

I really enjoyed Jennifer's work and love how she gets people to enjoy her art by seeing, touching and eating. The home that housed her exhibit will be torn down later this week, but Jennifer said she didn't know what they were going to do with the property yet. Fire rescue was standing looking very nervous because they had so many extension cords bringing electricity running from the Rubell Collection to heat the porridge and cool the refrigerators as well as for any injuries due to the arduous journey through the whole in the wall from the back wall of the Rubell Collection.

Judy Saylor, a local Miami artist, was on hand to help everyone through the hole in the wall, not so easy if you were wearing heals. I stood out here for a while watching the expressions of people as they carefully maneuvered through the hole. A discreetly placed video camera filming the crowd as they were entering the exhibit would have been a good idea.

First we walked in the gutted house and picked up a bowl.

Past the still standing bathroom there was a table full of spoons.

Turning right, were 36 bright white crockpots filled with porridge.

In the next room to the right were rasins.

And to the left, there was sugar.

In the back kitchen, they had two refrigerators filled with milk.

Lastly, we all gathered in the backyard to enjoy our porridge. Luckily, it was a cool morning for Miami: 55 degrees.

This is what I hope to see during Art Basel week. I love the unexpected and to be able to participate in the art. I only wish there were chairs outside of every shape and size to finish the concept of Golidlocks finding the right chair. It could have also been a reflection about finding the right art.

2010-12-01T15:07:00.023-05:00

Art Basel: Wednesday 2010

"Harriet" by Matthew Day Jackson

Excitedly, I headed out this morning to see the Rubell Family Collection and the Margulies Collection. First on my list was the Rubell because I wanted to see Matthew Day Jackson's work. I was delighted to see that his work is very textured and detailed. He uses wood, shell and yarn.

The brown lines that you see on the face are done with a wood-burning tool and the white of the eyes are mother of pearl with green glass sphere irises all of which are hard to see in the photos.

"Another Man's Cloth" by El Anatsui (112" x 156")

The art above is my favorite piece at the Rubell Collection by El Anatsui. Anatsui is a West African artist who creates sculptures out of food tins, aluminum roofing, etc. who's work is a metaphorical commentary on modern consumerism. This piece is made from upcycled cans that are attached with copper wire.

After the Rubell Collection, I went over to see the Margulies Collection. At the door they were collecting donations for the Lotus House. The Lotus House is a resource center and residential facility serving homeless women and infants in Miami. The program seeks to improve the quality of life for women in need through programs like helping at art events.

From the front door, I immediately saw the exhibit featured above upstairs. I love the colors and the textures used by Dutch artist Folkert De Jong. However, I wish he would have chosen a different material to create the sculptures because they are made from styrofoam and polyurethane foam. The figures were inspired by the Harlequin characters from Picasso's Rose Period. When I was looking at the sculptures, I found myself taking to a curator from Rome standing next to me. I asked her if she liked the installation and I expected her to say something very profound and sophisticated, but all she said as she looked down her nose was, "they look creepy."

The next exhibit I loved so much and had so much fun looking at that somehow I didn't write down the artist's name nor the name of the installation. To see the Hulk shriveled up in a wheel chair with a green comb-over, Mr. Fantastic wrinkled and reading and a saggy Wonder Women checking in on an IV laid-out Captain America was enough to make my day! A must see...

Lastly, I met Hannes Kotch from London. Hannes was accompanied by Blair who insisted he take a photo of me under this fabulous light and Natalie, a curator from Canada. Hannes has an exhibit at Design Miami (in the tent located in the parking lot of the convention center) called "Swarm Light" that I hope to see later this week. He showed me a video on his phone of his lighting. The lights turn on in the same pattern that bees fly... so beautiful.

2010-11-19T08:13:00.009-05:00

Guest Blogger: Alyson D'Amato

My name is Aly D'Amato and I am a junior at the University of Rhode Island studying English, Writing and Music Performance with the oboe. For one of my writing courses we were required to do a group project creating documents based on art. My group chose "Reduce Reuse Re-Invent" as the theme for our project, looking at art products that are less harmful, pieces with environmental themes and some artists who use them. During my research online I stumbled upon www.ecoartist.org where I found Nancy's web page and blog. I thought that her work was inspiring so I contacted her to see if she would be willing to participate in an interview so I could create an artist profile for my project. She was happy to oblige and I'm thrilled that I had the opportunity. I had been interested in recycled art but now I am more aware of what goes into these projects and I hope to bring this consciousness to other aspects of my life as well.

Nancy Martini: An Interview with an Eco Artist

-Aly D’Amato

Artists using environmentally safe materials and recycled materials are thriving. I had the opportunity to interview artist Nancy Martini of Miami, Florida through e-mail. Not only does she work with "upcycled" and natural art products but she creates pieces with themes that speak to environmentalists and citizens that care about the nature around them. In her work, Martini’s personal beliefs and love of nature come through.

Martini exhibits the emotions and motivations of an artist who is actively conscious about the negative effects of items thrown away as trash. Through this awareness, she knows she is one person in a collection of people who are making change. Not only does her artwork explore using "upcycled" materials, but Martini has also delved into the realm of "encaustic works" that feature working with beeswax and damar crystals. Using these and other recycled materials, Martini has been working on pieces with environmental themes.

Martini's focus in many of her "upcycled" pieces (including "Hope: An Ocean of Peace") is to use materials that would have otherwise been thrown away in an effort to eliminate trash while being aware of the health hazards that some materials will continue to create. Through experimentation, she created canvas out of plastic bags fused together. She was able to paint on her upcycled canvas and paired it with wire weavings.

Aly D: "Your website features a page on your "Upcylced Art." Could you explain "upcycled" and talk about some of the materials you used in these pieces?"

Nancy M: "Upcycling is the process of converting waste materials into new materials or products of better quality or higher environmental value. After being very frustrated by the amount of trash that Americans create, I realized that many of the materials in my recycle bin could be upcycled. I collected everyday food containers (soda bottles, plastic bags, plastic bottles, foil pie trays, etc.) and sorted them into jars of like objects. I didn't know what to do with them at first. I just stared at the huge piles collecting in my kitchen and thought a lot."

AD: "Another page on your website also briefly describes your exploration in working with beeswax and damar crystals. What got you interested in trying out "encaustic" works? What were the benefits of working with beeswax and damar crystals? Did they pose any issues?"

NM: "Fusing plastic bags and melting plastic is very hazardous, even with an approved respirator. In my search for natural mediums to create art, I found encaustics. Encaustics is a beautiful medium, but it is not without health hazards. When the wax is heated it can settle in your warm lungs. I work outside when I use encaustics and use a fan to blow the vapors away from me. The finished product is incredibly beautiful. The pigment is bright and the finish resembles pored resin only it smells wonderful!"

AD: Aside from the recycled objects you use, are your other art materials (sketch paper, paints, markers, etc) environmentally friendly?

NM: "It depends on the project. Most markers, paints, etc. are not environmentally friendly unless they are made for children. I use sketchbooks that have recycled paper. Mostly I try to upcycle cardboard from cereal boxes and food containers to use for projects and conceptual brainstorming."

AD: Why do you think it is important to use recycled/ upcylced materials in art?

NM: "In American we represent 5% of the world's population, however, we create 30% of the world's trash. If we were to fill a football stadium from the bottom to the top that is how much trash Americans create every day. I keep the image of 365 football stadiums in my mind all the time. I think upcycling is one of the ways that we can reduce our trash. Recycling should be considered as a last option before the trash bin. Recycling allows us to buy whatever we want and as much as we want because we can recycle it. Art is only one way to upcycle materials. All businesses could help the environment by rethinking the items in their recycle bin and seek opportunities to upcycle."

AD: "How do you think professional artists, students and the general public could be better informed about the potential harms of some manufactured art materials that contain chemicals?"

NM: "Artists have to be very proactive about their health by reading everything they can about the materials they use. Health Hazard Manual for Artists by Michael McCann is a good place to start. I would like to see more workshops to help artists realize the hazards as well."

AD: Are you active in encouraging other artists and students to be more conscious of the materials they use? How so?

NM: "Yes! That is what my body of work is all about... My collection is a vehicle to inspire upcycling in all businesses. Even though my collection is not finished, I am asked over and over to show what I have and speak at business venues... [including] talking about upcycling to the Miami Chapter of the USGBC (United States Green Business Council) at the University of Miami"

AD: What other kinds of projects do you hope to explore in the future?

NM: "I am very interested in art in public places. Today I am going to the unveiling of the Manatee Fest. In downtown south Miami, local artists will be matched with sponsors to paint five foot manatees that will be displayed much like the 1999 Chicago Cow Parade. Last year I participated in the Coconut Grove Peacock Tour where I painted a peacock for my sponsor The Fresh Market. I used upcycled pie trays to embellish the peacock and then painted it to look like a woman shopping in an outdoor European market. Art in public places gives me the opportunity to talk about upcycling to a different audience. Most people see my work and have no idea they are looking at trash. When they look again they are delighted and then want to learn more."

Her website features a sketchbook on the Gulf Oil Spill and her blog documents this work, explaining the thoughts and nightmares that she had during this time period. Like her other works, the sketchbook "The Real Price of Oil" is a piece that is simple and profoundly touching on many levels. "Day 72: Fire Set without Searching for Turtles" is just one of the sketches that portrays the devastation of the situation. Her sketchbook will visit California, New York, Maine, Illinois, Florida, Texas and Washington DC in 2011.

Overall, Martini hopes that her work inspires others to consider upcycling and avoid products with an excess of packaging. She believes that art, in general, is moving in the direction of focusing on being environmentally friendly/conscious and is setting this example herself every day.

2010-10-30T08:27:00.010-04:00

Speaking in Public is Very Green!

Title: "Share the Journey" Buy online!

Medium: Encaustic (Beeswax and Damar Resin) 24" x 24"

On my journey to help the environment I have thought a lot about how to get my message out. Yes... my paintings using reclaimed materials speaks about our environment, but I needed to take the next step. I realized my paintings alone weren't enough and that I needed to talk about them as well.

I am the type of person that is perfectly happy in the background watching others in the spotlight. So the thought of standing in front of a microphone in front of a crowd was not on my list of fun things to do. However, if I wanted to reach large groups of people I decided I would have to jump in and find a way to make public speaking part of my life.

The more I thought about public speaking the more it made since to me. It doesn't take a lot of resources to speak in public and yes, I could go to a networking meeting and meet about ten different people who may or may not be interested in the environment. However, if I spent the same about of time and spoke at that same event, I would reach all of the people at the meeting plus, after the meeting people who would be interested in my work and the environment most likely would come up to me.

Last month, I joined a local Toastmasters group to learn more skills about speaking in public. I wasn't sure what to expect or what I would learn. To my surprise, every member in my group reached out to me to help! How refreshing to see so many people helping each other and sharing their stories. When Mitch McInnis, my speech mentor who was assigned to me, asked if I would donate some art for their upcoming Toastmaster's conference, I decided to create a piece inspired by all the people who have helped me.

Toastmasters will auction my original encaustic painting by selling raffle tickets to raise funds this weekend. After I finished the painting titled: "Share the Journey," I thought about how I could use the image further. I recently went to a workshop by Debra Cortese about licensing art, so I have been thinking a lot about how to sell my images to different markets. I found a print on demand website to try out the idea of selling prints, mugs, totes and cards to provide items for convention goers who wanted the painting, but didn't win the raffle as well as something they can purchase anytime after the conference.

Check out my new online store and let me know what you think! Thanks...

2010-09-17T15:33:00.009-04:00

International Park(ing) Day 2010 in Coconut Grove

Park(ing) Day in Coconut day was a hugh success! Not so much with large crowds, but it was a launching pad for future Park(ing) Days in Miami. I had to explain Park(ing) Day to almost everyone I met. The only ones who really knew about it were there volunteering. For those of you who still don't know... Park(ing) Day is celebrated in many cities around the country to bring awareness to green spaces and environmental issues. Its where you take street parking spaces and turn them into parklike green spaces.

Biking is encouraged, especially on Park(ing) Day. We had a few people ride their bikes and used the green space to park them.

When I arrived there was much to do. We did have some help from the city parks department. They brought the sod to us and helped place it.

Pie studios brought their beautiful eco furniture for everyone to enjoy.

Here is our working crew, thankfully not afraid to get their hands dirty.

Students from FIU shared the space with me. They used reclaimed milk cartons to make seating.

I met these three very green young women who sketched with me and even made a sign to get people driving by to think about green space.

It was a fun day that I was proud to be a part of. I loved sitting in our green space sketching and talking about green ideas with green people all while connecting the environment to art.

To see more photos, check out the Coconut Grove Grapevine.

International Park(ing) Day

2010-09-16T13:44:00.000-04:00

2010-09-12T18:20:00.025-04:00

Fall for Arts Starts the Cultural Season!

Today I went to one the best ideas to promote the arts for the city of Miami that I have seen in a long time. The event was called Fall for the Arts Festival located in the Adrienne Arsht Center Parking lot and was sort of like a old time community town fair. Art from every discipline from visual art to live performances to children's art education was represented. I really enjoyed seeing so many arts groups all in one place easily accessible to the community side by side in white fair tents. Here are a few of the photos I took...

The Bahamas Junkanoo Revue were as enjoyable to watch as they were to listen to.

Jeanine Dronsick, managing editor of Around Town Magazine on the left shown above was there with Susan Glass. I happily snatched up a year's subscription at half the price... the deal of the day! Around Town Magazine is a fabulous full-color, beautifully printed magazine with interesting articles about culture in South Florida; art event listings with full descriptions; and even a dining guide so you can figure out were and what to eat once you are out and about.

Bands entertained the crowds...

Heather Bettner was there showing off her peacocks that are currently on display in Coconut Grove. Here is the map of all the peacocks.

I met these two adorable girls from Estampas de Colombia Folkloric Group. I love to see when people put in the extra effort to make their organization stand out.

The day was so hot people waited in line for free water. Something to think about for next year when you want someone to come to your booth!

Studio Art Miami had a hands on activity for the kids. They made a living tree where the kids made the leaves by coloring them with markers and got to hang them on the branches... very cute.

Of course, I was most impressed by the Bicycle Valet! Nice green initiative sponsored by Mack Cycle and Green Mobility Network.

All and all it was a great start to the season.

2010-08-02T19:56:00.002-04:00

Day 104 of the Gulf Oil Spill...

The cement and mud are filled scheduled to start the "Static Kill" today. The Miami Herald has stopped documenting the days of the spill, but thankfully have add two of the promised four series of articles about the clean up.

My sketchbook about the Gulf oil spill is getting more attention now. Our local Miami PBS station Channel 2 just filmed me last week and posted the interview on their website. Thanks Jessy!

To view the film, click on the link below.

Artist Profile: Nancy Martini - uVuSouthFlorida Video

2010-07-03T13:01:00.008-04:00

July 4th - Day 75 of the disaster in the Gulf

Day 75: The Battle for Freedom From Oil

Today's sketch carries the flag for Independence Day. The flag flies backwards to pay tribute to our soldiers who's flag on their uniform is backwards as well. The backward flag represents bravery as soldiers go out to war with the flag flying behind them as it would be if they were holding the flag.

As I sketched, I thought about how much the oil spill is like a war for sea life and sea birds who have no way of defending themselves through oil filled water and boom collected oil burns. I thought about how scared the animals must be and how brave they are to continue to search for peace in a safe and healthy environment.

My kids tell me my current sketchbook is creepy. Yes, I tell them the oil spill is horrible, deadly and irresponsible and although we can't see it locally it right now in Miami, we will and it will change our lives forever. I want them to remember how fragile life is; how we need to support ways to use energy without oil; and how important it is to protect our environment.

2010-07-02T10:14:00.009-04:00

More pages from my sketchbook...

My sketchbook and the oil in the Gulf has been giving nightmares. I dream about suffocating cries from turtles and dolphins. I reach out to help them, but my muscles and skin are all gone. There doesn't seem to be an end. Every day it just gets worse.

Day 72: BP ignites the boomed oil slicks without checking for sea life. Turtles die, ships are turned away that are searching to help find and capture turtles in harms way. With today's sketch, I stopped using the cutout date from the newspaper as in previous sketches because I no longer trust what the media says about the oil spill.

Day 71: Hurricane Alex hits the shoreline of Mexico missing the devastated oil spill area. However, the category 2 hurricane lead to two deaths and left hundreds injured and homeless.

Day 70: Scientists make a plan to collect 70,000 sea turtle eggs and make a home for them at Kenedy Space Center. Once hatched, the turtles will be released on the east coast of Florida.

2010-06-29T10:09:00.008-04:00

Inside/Outside: A Look at Oil

"Day 64"

I have started sketching again. It is amazing how if you don't sketch everyday just how rusty you can get. So little time in one single day, but I am committed to sketching again. It helps that this sketchbook has a deadline will be exhibited with other artists that will travel the United States in 2011. I like to make my sketchbooks have a message. My last sketchbook was about the environment with the theme: "The End of the World". It is a tongue and cheek look at the earth's last day. It's on my website if you want to check it out.

Now my theme is Inside/Outside. I had a hard time starting, but with my frustration and anxiety over the oil spill, I decided to sketch about what was happening. So here is my sketch for today.

This is sketch called: "Day 66: They send in Hair." This was the day that grassroots organizations collected truckloads full of hair and put them in nets with pool noodles as floats with the theory that hair collects oil. I am still not sure how much it is helping, but I am still hopeful. It is the only attempt so far that is organic. I am not sure what the chemicals that BP is pouring into the Gulf is doing, but I am sure it is very damaging.

"Day 65: The Total Fatalities to Date... 13"

The real price of oil... When I sketched this I couldn't help think about all the lives that have been lost. I thought of the workmen, their families and their friends. I had this idea of work boots being the sunrise over water, but nothing can put sunlight on the Gulf just yet.

As I continue to work on the pages of my sketchbook, I hope to discover small pockets of hope. If you know of any, please let me know.

2010-06-23T07:12:00.010-04:00

The Arts at St. Johns' Divine Debris and Glorious Trash was a hugh success!

I was happy to be involved in an eco art exhibit and to be with other artists who care about the environment by expressing themselves with reclaimed materials. I had a great time and was really impressed by all the people that showed up to the event. The Arts at St Johns has a small budget to market and promote their events, so I watched in amazement how they did it.

The Arts at St. Johns did most of their marketing through Facebook. They made Facebook Note Pages for every artist which was treated like a short bio and then talked about each artist on Facebook leading up to the event. At the event the same note page was printed out and hung up next to the artist's work.

They also maximized their email lists and made it easy for the artists to send an email blasts as well. I was happy to find a pdf of a poster in my email to send to everyone on my list a few days before the event. In addition to the social networking and getting other websites and bloggers to promoted their event, they were able to get a lot of press out to the event as well.

Carol Hoffman-Guzman, curator and arts administrator at Arts at St. Johns, and friend at the welcome table. They handed out ballets asking everyone to vote for their favorite art. It was a great way to collect information on who attended the event and then add them to their email list for their next event.

Paula Turk, co-curator/artist, and friend in front of her metal work.

Dan Walker being interviewed by a journalist. I was amazed to see how many people were there to document the event. Chanel 2 was there as well interviewing all the artists. It was very loud in the gallery, Chanel 2 had a small digital camera and a battery microphone to interview everyone. I am anxious to see how that turned out. We should be able to see it next week sometime.

Stefan Von Fonts with his interesting use of cans poured with resin surrounded with metal pipes. He also created the piece below with Scott Hickey. He created the piece onsite using the plastic water bottles that people brought to the event.

Art by Scott Hickey and Stefan Von Fouts

"The Wish List: A Plastic Bag-Free City" by Nancy Martini

Here is one of the pieces I exhibited at the event. The theme of the event was Miami Beach, so I wanted to created a piece that had an eco message and also said Miami Beach. The background is made from fused plastic bag and the borders are coat hangers wrapped with soda cans. The attached pieces are aluminum pieces and bottle tops and plastic water bottles.

My wish for all Miami Dade is to become plastic bag free. It is such a simple thing to do and would make a hugh difference.

Nancy Martini's Eco Message to students in England

2010-06-19T22:28:00.002-04:00

Students in England study my work to create their own eco art exhibit!

"Hope: An Ocean of Peace"

Last week, I got an email from a teacher in England. She told me that at the school where she teaches they were having a eco day at their school. They were researching eco artists on the internet and came across my work. They looked at my YouTube videos and my website to understand how I created my art and then they created paintings to replicate my painting called: "Hope: An Ocean of Peace."

Featured about are the beautiful painting made by 8 and 9 year old artists from Pebsham CP in East Sussex, England. Guided by their supportive and creative teacher, Karen Lindsay, the students saved reclaimed materials for three weeks prior to creating their works of art.

I was so proud of the art the children created that I took this photo of the student's art and I displayed it next to my paintings at my last art show for the Arts of St. Johns' in Miami Beach called Divine Debris.

The students' work are as beautiful as they are expressive. I believe that the earlier children understand the importance of using reclaimed materials the more they will naturally acquire the habit of reusing everything before putting materials in the recycle bin or the trash can.

I really enjoy talking to students and I think it is everyone's responsibility to nurture and guide children whenever they reach out to us. For this reason, I decided to send the students at Pebsham a video response to encourage them to keep thinking green and to congratulate their efforts.

My video response to the eco art students...

2010-06-16T21:47:00.012-04:00

Encaustics, My Next Adventure...

Last weekend I attended the 4th Annual Encaustics Conference at the Monserrat College of Art in Beverly, MA. I have been experimenting lately with encaustics because I have been drawn to the simple process of painting with the natural medium of beeswax and tree sap/resin.

Beeswax smells and feels heavenly delicious to me. When I touch the warm wax, I have the same warm and cozy feeling as I do when I drink a warm cup of hot tea on a cold night. It soothes me like no other medium I have ever used before. Even though I am new to encaustics, somehow I feel like I have been using it my whole life.

(Judy Klich, Robin Van Hoozer and Ruth Ann Muirhead-Stephens)

I am not alone with my passion for beeswax. At the conference, I experienced something I never had happen to me before with a group of artists. Every artist that I met was warm, open and willing to share every secret, every gained experience with grace and generosity.

When I returned to Miami, I realized that not only did I learn a lot about encaustics, but I also learned what it feels like when a whole group of artists share, support, encourage and inspire each other openly and honestly.

A few days after the conference I happen to ask an artist in Miami about their technique. The artist said he couldn't tell me because he said it was his secret and couldn't share that information. I smiled and thought about what I had learned and about the best kept secret of all: helping others is the first step toward success.

2010-06-05T09:08:00.018-04:00

Divine Debris or Reclaimed Responsibility?

June 15th at 7pm is the opening reception of the Arts of St. John's Divine Debris & Glorious Trash and I am very proud to be exhibiting along with other local ecoartists at the Miami Beach Botanical Gardens. I have been working with reclaimed materials for as long as I have been creating art and I am so happy that it is finally something that other artists are now willing to try.

Trash? I realize that some artists that use reclaimed materials sort through dumpsters, but with so much trash surrounding me I don't need to search for trash... the trash comes to me or is discarded along my path. Somehow all sorts of materials find me. The only exception is when I am working on a project where I need a commonly used material, like foil for example, I usually just ask a few friends to save some for me and they are happy to help me and the environment and kindly leave it on my front porch.

I live on a busy street and trash is constantly falling off trucks and landing in my front garden. Last summer when the city put in water pipes all down my street and left metal straps all over my garden, I didn't call the city and complain with the rest of my neighbors. I just quietly cleaned my yard and tried to think what I could use the metal straps for. After consulting with a really creative friend, my family used the metal with some reclaimed wood collected from old garage doors to build a treehouse for our children. We were able to build it without using nails that would damage the tree. The metal was wrapped around the wood against the tree in a corset like construction. And yes... I checked with the tree experts first. It will not hurt the tree and will be removed in five years to allow for growth.

It's not that I see trash and see beauty like some artists do. I see the trash and think: what can I do? How can I use that material differently? How can I make a tiny difference? Plus, I'm not exactly the type of person that takes the easy, straight, paved road. I try many times, but it just does't fit because I get distracted, bored or uncomfortable.

I hope you come out to the exhibit, especially Tuesday night for the opening. I will be there along with the other artists to share ideas and possibilities. For me, using reclaimed materials is not about trash at all. It's about sharing ideas of how to think in new ways to live better lives; how to help the environment and to think about how to be responsible for everything we use, touch and discard.

nancymartini.com

2010-05-26T13:07:00.039-04:00

Coconut Grove Peacock Tour Launch is this Saturday... May 29th from 5 pm to 11 pm. Great chance to meet your local artists!

On Saturday, not only will you get to meet the artists who created the peacocks for the Coconut Grove Peacock Tour like Cara Nusinov, Eileen Seitz and Sauma (featured above) and see their beautifully painted peacocks, you will also get to enjoy a tropical evening under the stars with fabulous music by Fire Brigade, dancing with DJ Boogieman George, delicious food from Potions in Motion and The Fresh Market and yes... of course, refreshing drinks.

Last month, I worked in a shared studio to create a peacock in Coconut Grove, Florida much like the Chicago Cow Parade for my sponsor: The Fresh Market. After my peacock has a six month stay in front of their store, it will be up for auction to benefit Shake-A-Leg. Many other charities will also benefit from the peacock tour headed by Heather Bettner of Prince Media Development (featured above next to me). So, if you have a space for a five foot sculpture, here's your chance to support local art and help a charity all while beautifying your space. I will post the auction date and details at a later date...

The best part of the peacock tour has been all the wonderful artists and people I had a chance to meet while working in our shared studio at the Shoppes of Mayfair which would have otherwise been another vacant retail space. Here are just a few of the artists I was lucky enough to work beside...

Eileen Seitz, who is well known in Coconut Grove for her exquisite tropical watercolor paintings helped out by painting not one, but two peacocks.

Sauma, who not only is a magnificent painter he is currently organizing the Gables Hispanic Cultural Festival coming this September 25th which will feature many Hispanic artists.

Andrea Karahalios Rugger i, who travels the world to paint intricate, elegant murals, painted her peacock for the Hampton Inn.

And, Dan Bondoff who usually works in pastels featuring charming landscapes and cityscapes worked in oils to created his peacock for Shell Lumber were just a few of the artists I got to know while we worked side by side.

To allow artists to use vacant retail space is good business for everyone. People love to see artists while they are working and just by painting together in the same space we attracted many visitors and tourists. When the doors were locked people were banging on the doors to get in! I hope that other communities and businesses realize just how much art can revitalize vacant storefronts while providing a much needed outlet and studio space for local artists.

Most of us are now well aware of how important it is to buy local food as a way of reducing our carbon footprint. The next step, at a local level, is to know your neighborhood artists and support art in your community as a green initiative. Plus, when you know an artist personally the art becomes even more of an enriched experience when you get the chance to talk to the artist about their work and why they created it. I have met a lot of the artists on the peacock tour and I can assure you that they are all very approachable, welcoming and would love to talk to you Saturday night. Hope to see you there!

Please follow my blog to learn more about local artists...

2010-05-21T08:15:00.011-04:00

Sometimes you need to reinvent the wheel or in this case the rubber band...

About three years ago, I came across bright colored animal shape rubber bands. I thought they were fabulous and quickly brought them to my office to see how our clients could use them to promote themselves. I was thinking of all sorts of ways to use them, but everyone at my office said, "sure they are cute, but so what it's still just a rubber band". So, I brought them back home and stuffed them in my drawer with all the other sketchbooks I fill with all my ideas and there they sat until last week.

Last week, my 9 year-old son asked where the animal rubber band were. There were only a few left, so I gave them to him. He told me all the kids were wearing them and trading them at school. Now they were available in all sorts of shapes, colors, and some even glowed in the dark and had scents! When my son told all his friends that the animal shaped rubber band had been in his house for years, none of his friends believed him so I decided to find out more about the designers and where they originated.

The first animal rubber bands were designed by Y. Ohashi and M. Haneda in Tokyo Japan who established a design firm called Passkey Design. in 2002. The reason they came up with the animal rubber bands was to keep people from throwing away a rubber band after a one time use. They though if people became attached to the rubber bands they were less likely to throw it away... brilliant!

Featured above in the center (turtle and pig), are the rubber bands I originally purchased in 2007 they came in a box along with with a ducks, cats, dogs, and rabbits. They were the second round of shape designs, the first being zoo animals. However, they were much smaller then the rubber bands now selling that nicely fit around a wrist.

I am so glad to see that the stores can't keep these items on the shelf. Proving that there is always a market for good design. So happy it has green intentions...

2010-05-09T08:38:00.016-04:00

Wynwood Art Walk in May

Last night I was so happy to see that there still is a good crowd of people going to the Wynwood Art Walk this late in the season. Here are a few of the people I met...

Danilo Gonzalez is a multi-media artists who paints and creates sculptures in his studio in the back of his gallery. The wire sculpture that he is photographed with above is interactive and changeable. When I talked to him about the piece, he uncoiled the sculpture to create different shapes allowing me to move the sculpture as well.

Danilo was very open and told me stories about his work and how he once convinced a sponsor to allow him to purchase all the toy guns and weapons in one toy store as a demonstration against violence with the idea of how the shelves can be empty and bare one day and then completely filled with toy weapons the next in an endless circle of excess.

Dennise Rodriguez (who prefers to be called Den) is a fiber artist working with felt by sewing and hand stitching to create soft, touchable sculptures. Her work is happy, bright, playful and colorful. I was so delighted that she brought her sewing machine to the Fabrika Art Space for all of us to see how she works. Seeing her process and her materials helps me to understand her more as an artist, so I really appreciate that she made the extra effort to bring along all her supplies and equipment to include us on her artistic journey.

Lastly, I got a chance to meet Mary Ann Cohen and her husband Rich, gallery owners of MAC ART Group. Currently on exhibit, is a very impressive body of work by Tico Torres, drummer for Bon Jovi, which includes a wall mural called: "My Cuba" as well as other paintings and sculptures by other artists. However, my favorite paintings they exhibited were created by Maxim Lipzer, an abstract expressionist who lives and works in Argentina... beautiful!

2010-04-17T05:15:00.013-04:00

Young artist Juan Travieso is someone to watch...

I went to The New World School of the Art's gallery, ArtSceen, in Wynwood to find the work from Juan Travieso to be absolutely stunning. He has all the elements of good and marketable design that I look for: vibrant color, pattern and the understanding of the power of white space which he uses to create a look all his own.

Usually I have to seek out the artist when I go to an event or during an opening. Lucklly, Juan saw me looking at his work and taking notes and he introduced himself to me! I love meeting artists and talking to them about their work because whenever I purchase art, the art is as important to me as the artist. I have to like the artist, their vision and their work equally in order to have their work in my home or to recommend them to someone else.

When I was talking to Juan, I thought just the gouache paintings were his. Then he started talking about his sculptures... Wow! I was so delighted to discover that this hugh sculpture featured below was his work as well.

This sculpture is made with cardboard, some of which are upcycled. There are 21 pieces that fit together (like a puzzle) that are attached to the wall. Juan told me that his inspiration for this piece came from his life as a boy. In Cuba, he had very little and he longed for toys that he saw on television, but could not have.

After meeting Juan, I got an email letter from him because he went to my website to check out my art. He told me he was inspired by my upcycled work and he plans to use even more upcyled materials in his future works! Here is a few excerpts from his letter "...basically what I plan on doing is start to paint on recycled and biodegradable materials so that there is no harm done on the environment. In addition the subject matter of my upcoming pieces will consist of environmental issues that will affect society in the near future. ...I have already started gathering wood from construction sites that will be thrown away and with it I will build the frames for my pieces."

I'm not sure where his next exhibit will be, but I do know that he his working on doing 20 outdoor sculptures to be installed in Japan. So, if you are like me and can't wait to see what Juan creates next... just follow his blog.

2010-04-13T06:56:00.004-04:00

Meet local artist Natasha Duwin

I met Natasha Duwin at her current show Rapture at Artformz in Wynwood. I was immediately drawn to her work and I was so happy that I got a chance to talk to her. She was very open and eager to explain her work. She told me that the beautiful pieces feature above were about the construction of female identity. The base of these pieces are very structured, made of hard brittle wire symbolizing how culture and society dictate how women should behave. I loved how she used a vintage boa to represent a timeline for women. The feather portion speaks to us about the journey of women that insolently were made from an upcycled 1950's ostrich feather boa that was carefully dismantled and then painstakingly she split each feather to attach it to the pieces.

Natasha has a studio in the Artist-in-Residence at ArtCenter South Florida on Lincoln Road. There she uses weaving, embroidery, needlework, tapestry, quilting, lace, textiles and other traditional women’s work that are usually described as weak, ineffectual to produce representations of the essence of women that are strong, fragile, forceful, pliant, rigid, aggressive and inviting.

2010-04-11T06:05:00.013-04:00

Tawnie Sliva: Upcycling Goes to the Circus

When I first walked into the Butter Gallery in Wynwood last night, I was delighted to see artist Tawnie Sliva using so many different materials, colors and techniques: felt for the graphic signage pieces, plastic bags for the sculptures and drawings on paper.

Of course, I was most excited to see the fabulous use of reclaimed plastic bags. All the sculptures had fans discretely placed to keep the sculptures inflated.

It was interesting to see the intricate sewing of the clothing on the sculptures as well as his successful use of of such a thin plastic material to make such powerful statements with so much emotion.

I had to search around to find Tawnie because somehow I thought he was a she. When Tawnie was pointed out to me in a group of very large muscular men, I was a bit intimated to go up an introduce myself. But to my delight, Tawnie was very kind and charming. He happily moved to another room so I could get a better photo in front of one of his pieces. I look forward to learning more about Tawnie. He's from Missouri and is a bit hard to find, however he is on facebook, hopefully he will set up a fan page soon...

2010-04-09T04:47:00.022-04:00

Secrets to Success: Feed the Lion

Last night I was invited to the opening of the new Sushi Maki on Miami Avenue and 10th Street. I was very curious to see why, in our recession, this sushi restaurant could be so successful. While other business and restaurants in our community are closing, Abe Ng keeps opening and opening and opening...

You can find Sushi Maki partnering all over the community. They are in Whole Foods, in both Miami and Fort Lauderdale airports and they are not afraid to partner with unlikely restaurants from different cultures like this joint venture with Dolores Lolita, a Spanish restaurant (they even share the kitchen).

While I was at the opening, I realized Abe had all the key ingredients for success. His entire family was there, his minister was there to bless the restaurant and the food, community leaders were there to support him, his commitment to a healthy eating lifestyle was echoed by his outreach to Miami Children's Hosptial, and he stayed true to his roots and heritage by inviting traditional Chinese (yes, Abe is Chinese-American not Japenese) lion dancers and drummers to perform on the street for us.

Whenever I am photographing, I usually like to look at people who are behind the scenes. I saw this man beaming with excitement and pride behind a nearby palm. I thought he was one of their happy friendly chefs, but no, later I was introduced... Meet Abe's father, Alan Ng, proprietor of Canton Chinese Restaurants.

After the sushi roll cutting, the lions arrived! I learned from this little girl how to feed the lions (giving red envelopes filled with luck money to the dancers as a way to give back). Lions in the Chinese tradition bear little resemblance to actual lions. At first I thought they were dragons. But because lions are not native to china, ancient Chinese did not know what they actually looked like. They could only imagine what they looked like from travelers' descriptions. Chinese artists drew from their imaginations to form these beautiful creatures. In China, the lion signifies good luck, happiness, courage and strength.

All and all it was a fabulous Wednesday night downtown. So, the secrets to Sushi Maki's success are very simple and basic; just have fabulous food, great friendly service, don't be afraid to partner with people from other cultures, reach out to the community, make every one feel like family, have faith to see opportunity in a depressed economy and never forget to feed the lion.

2010-04-01T07:28:00.009-04:00

Little Artists... Big Impact

Every year I go to the Youth Fair to see the children's art. I'm not too crazy about the rides and all the junk food and trash that they produce, but what they do for children's art is absolutely commendable.

It is so wonderful to see so such beautiful and interesting work done by Miami students from elementary to high school all in one place and to see so much of it. They have so many categories for the kids to enter and you don't have to wait for your school to enter. If your art teacher doesn't have the time or the desire, your kids can apply on their own.

With all the budget cuts for art education, this is a fabulous resource where you can get ideas to do art projects and a plethora of other competitions from building robots to making nature habitat models with full description of what is expected and the judging criteria. Plus, the kids not only win ribbons, they win money as well! They can win up to $5 for a purple ribbon. So, when summer comes and your kids are bored go the Youth Fair's website and see what inspires your kids.

Arte Americas: The Latin American Art Fair

2010-03-26T07:30:00.011-04:00

Last night I went to Arte Americas at the Miami Beach Convention Center. There were only 40 participating galleries from Colombia, Costa Rica, Mexico, Puerto Rico, Argentina, Uruguay, Venezuela, Ecuador, Haiti, Panama, the Dominican Republic, the United States, Peru and Spain compared to 70 galleries from last year, but still an impressive collection of paintings, sculpture and multimedia art.

I usually don't get a special invitation to the pre-opening events, but because I donated a painting for the Haitian Art Relief Fund, they let me in. I met a lot of people who were guests of sponsors who probably would not have gone if they were not invited to this special opening. Sponsoring art events is exactly what companies need to do. I saw a lot of people networking and talking about the art, whether they liked (or understood) it or not it provided a venue for people to gather and see something new. It was an opportunity not only to meet new people, but a place to get to know their clients better.

Arte Americas Helps Haitian Artists

2010-03-24T16:02:00.005-04:00

Arte Americas is this weekend at the Miami Beach Convention Center. Check out the art donated by artists to help Haitian Artisits. 100% of the proceeds will go to Haiti.

This is the painting I donated called, "The Sea Tamer". When I created this piece, I thought about how much I wished I could send someone to tame the earth and the sea. It is made in encaustic (wax) and is 23.5" by 24". If you can't make it to the show, all of the works are also available online.

Meet My Favorite Key Biscayne Art Festival Artists

2010-03-21T18:19:00.013-04:00

Today I went to the Key Biscayne Art Festival with my daughter, Grace. Whenever I go to a festival I always play a game with whomever accompanies me where if we could purchase any piece at the show without any financial constraints what would we buy. Here are the results...

Jill Streitwiesser from Michigan who creates sculptures out of clay and reclaimed materials. These pieces can even be placed outdoors in your garden. The base is a metal rod that all the individual pieces fit on.

I have been a fan of Gregory Hubbard for a while now and it was great to see him at the fair. His work encapsulates all the things I love: color, detail, design, pattern and energy.

Krys Lieffers, shown here with my daughter, dyes her own cotton mop cloth and then hand weaves it into beautiful array of colorful rugs and purses. Go to her website and check out the photo of her studio. It looks like a place I would really like to visit, pull up a chair and stay awhile.

Inspired by his father's clock collection, Vince Pomei creates clocks out of reclaimed flatware. The piece behind him is a beautiful clock adorned with patinaed spoons.

And lastly, Laszlo and Anna Boros showed us how to make cinnamon horns. Check out their website and you can see a video of how they make them too.... yum!

Nancy Martini

Caribbean Contemporary... In Little Haiti

2010-03-20T08:57:00.012-04:00

I went to see "The Global Caribbean: Focus on Caribbean Contemporary Visual Art Landscape" at the Little Haiti Cultural Center curated by Edouard Duval Carrié. The exhibit presents 24 artists from the Caribbean region and will be on display through the end of March and then it will travel to France.

See works by Hew Locke who creates complex sculptural collages with eclectic objects.

Cuban artist Roberto Diago's work in mixed media on metal.

Jamican artist Arthur Simms creates woven sculptures made from reclaimed materials and everyday objects.

Courtyard of the Little Haiti Cultural Center

The Little Haiti Cultural Center is really an incredibly beautiful space, but unfortunately is very underutilized. The exhibits are fabulous, but the crowds are few. I love Haitian art and the energy that accompanies it and I look forward to many more exhibits.

Artists Helping Artists In Haiti

2010-03-18T14:23:00.005-04:00

Artist Edouard Duval Carrié and Martine Buissart

I dropped off my painting today to donate to the Haitian Relief Fund and I was happy to find Edouard Duval Carrié and Martine Busissart hard at work among the fabulous paintings donated to help Haiti. The Haitian Relief Fund is an incredible project with 100% of the sale going to help artists in Haiti. The art will be displayed at ArteAmericas at the Miami Beach Convention Center March 26th through the 29. You can also check out some of the art online.

Wynwood Walls: A Gift from Art Basel

2010-02-18T10:29:00.006-05:00

To me, the Wynwood Walls are one of the most interesting projects resulting from Art Basel last December. This once dull, cast-aside space has transformed into a beacon of vibrant life, expression and hope.

When we question the importance of art in public places during tough economic times all you have to do is watch the people when they first walk thought the gates of this now transformed space. People need to be visually nourished, especially in a recession. I believe creativity is what will pull us upward and out of this recession.

I hope all of Miami goes out to see the walls and has a chance to experience the space. It is a grand gift to us from visiting artist during Art Basel. Here is an opportunity to see the impact of art in public places and to witness a fabulous expression of possibilities. One that should be shared, discussed and repeated.

Nancy Martini

Upcycled Paper Into Elegant Forms...

2010-02-14T07:44:00.001-05:00

Anja Marais - "Thoughts are like Cauliflower"

I was immediately drawn to the stunningly beautiful, upcycled work of Anja Marais who is showing at Artformz until March 6th. Marais was inspired by the Japanese practice of tying a fortune written on a piece of paper to a tree branch. Over time, the paper will weather away along with your bad fortune or make good fortune realized.

Nancy Martini

Art Selling Faster Than a Sale at Macy's!

2010-02-14T07:18:00.000-05:00

Greg Martini and Bill Hodges

NWSA ArtSceen Gallery last night was a hugh success. For the first time in my life, I saw people pulling art off the walls and standing in line to purchase art in a gallery. Their goal was to raise $50,000 to benefit New World School of the Arts and Design and Architecture High. Each piece of art was a fixed price of $50. Most of the pieces were small unframed abstract works piled high on tables. Great idea!

Beautiful Shades of Green

2010-02-04T05:51:00.000-05:00

Tracy Magellon

Last week, I got a private tour of the The Montgomery Botanical Garden led by Tracy Magellon, Funding and Communications Director. The secluded garden is an incredibly beautiful property with 120 acres of mostly cycads and palms nestled quietly next door to Fairchild Tropical Gardens. Once you pass through the tall iron gates on Old Cutler Road, you will step into old Florida at its finest. The property has a guest cottage and a meeting space that looks over a tree lined lagoon. You won't see lots of bright color and flowers, but you will see beauty in tranquil shades of green like nowhere else.

Judy Kay, Seed Bank Coordinator

They are very busy on the property doing research, specimen collecting, propagating and finally seed collecting. Once they collect the seeds, they sell the seeds online to nurseries as a way of conservation. They believe that if the seeds are available to purchase from a local nursery people are less likely to poach the plants from the wild.

South African Cycad - Encephalarotos Ferox

I alway thought Montgomery was a private research facility that was closed to visitors, but no, they love visitors! All you have to do is call for an appointment and you can have a private tour too. With only 20 staff members, they are not set up to handle large crowds of people. However, they will schedule time if you call and ask. If you love nature, like me, this is an opportunity not to miss.

Nancy Martini

Eco Artist Exhibits at SoBay Festival

2010-01-31T20:32:00.000-05:00

Xavier Cortada and Mayor Eugen Flinn at The Deering Estate
(My camera's battery ran out of charge so I apologize for my camera phone photos.)

Last night I went to see the SoBay art exhibit at the Deering Estate. I wish more people would have come to the opening, but I selfishly enjoyed having extra time to meet and talk to the artists. Luckily, I had a chance to meet eco artist Xavier Cortada.

Cortada had two exhibits at Deering. In the Carriage House, he had Ancestral Journeys which explores DNA links as a form of identity. Inspired by Dr Wells' work with The Genographic Project, Cortada took DNA from from some of his friends and was able to find the coordinances for where their ancient relations traveled. From his findings he created dinner plates, prints and an site-specific installation on the Deering property.

In the library, Cortada had information about his Reclamation Project. It's an urban reforestation effort where individuals can personally make a difference. Simply purchase a native tree (and a project flag); plant the tree; reclaim the land for nature by displaying the flag; then ask others to do the same. It is a fabulous sequel to his coastal habitat propagating mangroves.

Jennifer Tisthammer Natalia Reparaz

I also met Jennifer Tisthammer from The Deering Estate and artist Natalia Reparaz who was exhibiting crocheted bonnets. Whether from cancer or genetic, Reparaz examines the experience of baldness in women. Not only does she create the bonnets, but she also sculpts the heads she displays the bonnets on which are equally as interesting.

The SoBay Festival of the Arts exhibit will be on display until March 5th at The Deering Estate at Cultler in Palmetto Bay.

It's All About the Dot: Yayoi Kusama

2010-01-24T05:47:00.000-05:00

Miami's Fairchild Tropical Gardens exhibit by avant-garde artist Yayoi Kusama is spectacular! Floating red shapes with white dots adorn the lagoon with vibrant color and grace. Huge dotted pumpkins and flowers make the garden scream with happiness. It is hard to believe that this beautiful, joyful work comes from an artist who suffers from paranoia, OCD and depression whom also lives, by choice, in a mental hospital near her studio in Tokyo. She is now 80 years old and is one of my favorite artists.

Check out two documentary films about her, Kusama: Princess of Polka Dots and I Love Me.

Kusama's exhibit is at Fairchild until May 30th. One of Japan's most important artists... a must see!

Fun Cloaked in Pink! Leyden Rodriguez: An Uneven Floor

2010-01-17T08:33:00.000-05:00

Last night I went to the opening of the Locust Project's latest exhibit An Uneven Floor. I know I was suppose to be focused on the uneven shapes and texture of the carpet, but instead I stood joyfully watching the children roll down the bright pink hills of carpet. Hills being a rarity in Miami, it was beautiful to see happy children understanding art by experiencing it, not just observing it.

Leyden Rodriquez-Casanova

Luckily, I got a chance to meet the artist, Leyden Rodriguez-Casanova. I was thinking more about the color than the shapes, so I asked him why he chose the color pink. He said pink was autobiographical. He explained that growing up he was surrounded by the color pink, even living in pink houses.

I also met Monica de Miguel, Assistant to the Director of Locust Project. When I asked about repurposing the materials after the exhibit, she said the carpet would be donated to a charity and they would save and reuse the plywood that supports undersurface. Yeah!

The exhibit will be installed until February 20. Conversation with the artist will be February 11 at 6:30 at the Locust Projects. Check it out and let me know your thoughts...

nancymartini.com

The Vogels: Epitome of Self-Truth

2010-01-13T09:26:00.000-05:00

Last night I saw Herb & Dorothy, a fascinating documentary film by Megumi Sasaki. It's a love story on many levels. A couple who is devoted to each other and their passion for art. Choosing art from their hearts, brave and focussed, they purchased from artists either unknown or unrecognized for over forty years. To many artists they have become like family because of their understanding of the work and their shared love for new expression. Collecting only from New York, their home town, on meager wages and living in a tiny apartment they were able to create a collection worth millions. Not only did I find this film inspiring, I found the Vogels to be a perfect example of what it means to be completely true to yourself.

See the Vogel Collection at the National Gallery of Art. Oh, by the way... they donated their collection.

nancymartini.com

Yes, its just shoes

2010-01-13T06:56:00.000-05:00

I went to MIA last weekend and my favorite exhibit was done by Federico Uribe from Columbia. He uses ordinary objects to create his work. With shoes, rakes, etc. he created an entire forest exhibited at the Miami Beach Convention Center. The exhibit had a lot of bits and pieces (shoe laces that had to be placed one by one) that had to be assemble on site. I would love to find out how long and how many people it took to install.

The message is about about how people try to control nature with a false sense of security, but undeniably we are powerless against mother nature and her destruction.

His process introduces the idea of using materials differently. I love his work; I only wish he used reclaimed materials to further impact his message.

nancymartini.com

Support Environment or Wave it Goodbye

2009-11-09T08:47:00.000-05:00

A page from my sketchbook...