Soft Pastel on Suede Matboard
Framed Size: 9" x 14"
Signed: Martínez (L.L.)
Notes From the Artist:
”Before I share my story, I wanted to talk about ‘vanitas’ paintings and their history. Vanitas is a type of still life painting that emerged in the 16th century in the Netherlands. The subject matter of these paintings typically includes objects that symbolize the transience and futility of earthly life, such as skulls, hourglasses, and withered flowers. The term vanitas is derived from the Latin word for ’vanity,’ and the paintings are meant to serve as a reminder of the transience of earthly pleasures and the inevitability of death.In 2016, I was in Angel Fire, New Mexico visiting my in-laws at their new home. I was raised in Dallas, Texas, so you can imagine how refreshing it was to be surrounded by nature. During one of my explorations deep in the woods surrounded by the aspen and dappled sun I saw specs of white poking out of the dense foliage. It was truly magical, there lay the remains of a full-grown elk. It was clear that a long time had passed since it took its last breath as nothing was left but bone, only a few inches from being reclaimed by the earth it had emerged from. Most of the bones remained but the rest had been dragged away by other critters. Circle of life you know. Obviously, I do not know how he passed but he had quite a story to share. Part of that history was encapsulated in the deformity of one of his antlers, which must’ve broken off during a fight either with a predator or during mating season and had grown back nearly rooting out of his eye. I, like many painters before me, am reminded of my humanity when I look at the animal skulls I’ve gathered over the years. Each was once living, breathing, and feeling, just like me. They are very special to me, and it brings me great joy to share them with you. In my drawing and paintings, I want to celebrate their life and remind myself that I only have one to live and to make it worth it.”
