Cihtzin
Cihtzin- means grandmother in nahuatl.
Sepia drawing on paper. A nahuatl lady from an indigenous community in the mountains near Tantoyuca, Veracruz. Women like her tend to be so humble yet so capable in doing the best with their available resources like creating beautiful textiles.
Although the original is now longer available you can purchase a print in the "prints" page in the menu or here https://www.adrianamartinezartist.com/new-products/
Ricarda
Ricarda in the Wild
40 x 40”
Oil on canvas
2015
$1,200
This is the portrait of my maternal great grandmother, a matriarch who managed her ranch in Northern Mexico. She was known to carry wads of cash in her morral or hand woven purse while using a horse as her main transportation. The background colors and hues add a kind of surreal atmosphere alluring to a dreamlike state in the way that stories and memories feel in the present moment.
Este es el retrato de mi bisabuela materna, una matriarca que administraba su rancho en el norte de México. Era conocida por llevar fajos de billetes en su morral o bolso tejido a mano mientras utilizaba un caballo como principal medio de transporte. Los colores y matices del fondo añaden una especie de atmósfera surrealista que invita a soñar de la misma manera que las historias y los recuerdos se sienten en el momento presente.
Camino Real de San Luis
45" x 56" Acrylic on Canvas.
Portrait of my paternal grandmother Ana Maria Azuara. She sits on the the Camino Real close to Real de Catorce. She is surrounded by the mountains with abandoned monasteries along the way. It was once the official highway established by the Spaniards in Colonial times to connect these significant mining towns. She was a character that stood out with her strong personality particular to the Huasteca.
This is a dirt road and hiking route that I later took after camping in the desert. The journey on foot allowed me to soak in the beauty and could not help but wondering how much had that road had actually changed in 500 years.
Retrato de mi abuela paterna Ana María Azuara. Se encuentra en el Camino Real cerca de Real de Catorce. Está rodeado de montañas con monasterios abandonados a lo largo del camino. En su día fue la carretera oficial establecida por los españoles en la época colonial para conectar estos importantes pueblos mineros. Fue un personaje que destacó con su fuerte personalidad particular de la Huasteca.
Se trata de un camino de tierra y de una ruta de senderismo que posteriormente realicé tras acampar en el desierto. El viaje a pie me permitió empaparme de la belleza y no pude evitar preguntarme cuánto había cambiado realmente ese camino en 500 años.
Doña Quintana
40" x 40" Oil on canvas
This is a second portrait of great grandmother Quintina. SPortrait of my great grandmother whose birthday was celebrated during the Mexican festivities of the Day of the Dead. I would assist in her care like showering and feeding. At almost 100 years old he was partially blind but walked, was healthy and lucid. Most of her time was spent sitting, conversing and napping times at which I would use her as a model. The fishes represent family generations, the cempasúchil flowers or marigolds are called the “flor de muerto” or flower of the dead , one heart signifies the plane where the dead exist and the other where alive are. This piece was a commission for a family member.
Although the original is now longer available you can purchase a print in the "prints" page in the menu or here https://www.adrianamartinezartist.com/new-products/
Quintinita
30" x 30"
acrylic on canvas.
My great grandmother Quintina. She was almost 100 years old here with poor eyesight. She bore 13 children and spoke to her husband who had passed away more than 50 years with a serenity that always impressed me. This piece was part of my first solo exhibition in Florence, Italy.
Her birthday was celebrated during the Mexican festivities of the Day of the Dead. I would assist in her care like showering and feeding. At almost 100 years old he was partially blind but walked, was healthy and lucid. Most of her time was spent sitting, conversing and napping times at which I would use her as a model.