Melanie A Martinez

Masters of Fine Arts

Contemporary Art Practice

Portland State University, Portland OR, Aug 2020- Current day

Bachelors of Fine Arts

Studio Art, Emphasis in painting

Texas Tech University, Lubbock TX, Aug 2015-May 2019

Dear Darkness 1973, Portland State University School of Art: MK Gallery, Portland, OR

March 2023

A group show displaying installation works by: Melanie Martinez, Safiyah Maurice, Andrea Hendrickson. Pizza With My Younger Self , was displayed as an interactive art piece for audience members to compose their own felt pizzas through the provided hand-made fabric toppings.

JUMA JARMS, MFA Studio Practice Program Group Show, Portland State University School of Art: MK Gallery, Portland, OR

April-May 2022

An exhibition of work by Portland State Universities MFA Studio Practice Cohort. My fabric-based paintings InterLaced and Gentle Reminder were shown side by side for viewing.

2022 Open Art Exhibition, Art Room Contemporary Online Gallery,

Feb-March 2022

My artwork was selected out of over hundreds of online submissions, for their fifth Art competition through artgalleryonline.com. Receiving an Honorable Mention for my acrylic painting, In My Head, which is displayed with one hundred and thirty works. Their open theme included diversity in types, styles, and mediums. Evaluation criteria based on creativity, originality, and quality of art.

32nd Annual Juried Art Student Exhibition, Texas Tech University School of Art: Landmark Art Gallery, Lubbock, TX

March 2019-Apr 2019

My artwork, Caress, was selected out of over a hundred submissions, by juror Rainey Knudson the founder of Glasstire.com. I won second place and my piece was written about by Rainey Knudson personally in her statement.

J&B Coffee CO, Lubbock, TX

Sept 2018-Nov2018

Displayed and installed a body of fifteen works composed of paintings and drawings. My body of artwork was announced in the Lubbock Avalanche Journal newspaper for the First Friday Art Trail.

Art @ Work Student Show, Charles Adams Studio Project: Studio D, Lubbock, TX

Aug 2018

All students from the Texas Tech University Senior Art course brought forth a body of at least ten works of art partnered with a written artist statement and artist residency application.

31st Annual Juried Art Student Exhibition, Texas Tech University School of Art: Landmark Art Gallery Lubbock, TX

March 2018-April 2018

My artwork, Come to Bed, was selected from a hundred and fourteen student submissions, by juror Dennis Nance, curator at Galveston Arts Center. The exhibition held a reception night where artists were awarded and congratulated.

Beaux Arts Show, Charles Adams Studio Project, LHUCA Lubbock, TX

April 2017

Two paintings were displayed along with other students from Texas Tech University. Allowed me to interact and socialize with artists and professors from the University or people from the surrounding art community.

Boynes, Chantal, Artist Profile: Melanie Martinez, Boynes Emerging Artist Award Blog, April 12, 2020.

Hudson, Rainey, 32nd Annual Juried Art Student Exhibition Pamphlet, School of Art Landmark Gallery, March 23, 2019.

Honorable Mention Contemporary Art Room Gallery 2022

The Lane Martin Art Practice Endowed Scholarship, Portland State University 2021-2022

Boynes Emerging Artist Award Top 20 Finalist 2020

Second Place Winner in the 32nd Annual Juried Undergraduate Exhibition, Texas Tech University 2019

Presidential List Standing Award, Texas Tech University 2019

Verda Mae Fuller Todd Visual Arts Endowed Scholarship, Texas Tech University 2018-2019

Dean’s List Award, Texas Tech University 2015-2019

Art Instructor, Portland State University, Portland, OR-Special Studies: Painting Through Exploration

April 2023- Current

Painting course centered around imaginative and critical thinking that can occur in paintings. Subcategories of: Imagining, Critically Engaging, Noticing, Creating & Connecting. Through self questioning and researching students can begin creating art that speaks about issues, personal and communal experiences, and world exchanges. The classroom functions as an opportunity to form a community based on support, accountability, representation, and learning.

Art Graduate Teaching Assistant, Portland State University, Portland, OR-Painting Topics: Water-media

Jan 2022- March 2022

Assistant to Professor Una Kim , the job position required: assisting in delivery of course materials, answering questions, writing and editing online assignments, leading art demos, artist presentation, providing feedback and resources.

Art Graduate Teaching Assistant, Portland State University, Portland, OR-Intermediate Painting

Jan 2021- March 2021

Assistant to Professor Horia Boboa, the job position required: assisting in delivery of course materials, marking attendance, one-on-one meeting times during the week, answering questions, providing feedback, writing project guidelines, composing critique schedules, and open office hours.

Live Model, Texas Tech University, Lubbock, TX

Aug 2018-Oct 2020

Employed as a model at the School of Art, through Texas Tech University, the job required me to assume a pose and hold it for a period of time within a classroom environment as a subject for student artists learning life form art. Work is performed under the instruction and supervision of a faculty member.

Representative for the School of Art Painting Club, 39th Annual Lubbock Arts Festival, Lubbock, TX

Apr 2017

Volunteered to catalogue art sales for multiple clubs through the School of Art. Interacted and answered questions for visitors at the booth pertaining to the School of Art program at Texas Tech University.

Skills:

Painting, Drawing, Adobe Photoshop, Embroidery, Weaving, Soft Sculpture, Printmaking, Understanding of Anatomy, & Professional Communication Skills.