BIO
Melanie Martinez is a social realist painter working primarily in oil. Her subject matter could be considered Americana with a twist. Like a reporter investigating a story, she seeks to understand relationships between communities, their residents, as well as their built and natural environment. The Who, What, Where, When, and Why.
Born in Austin, but raised in the nearby Army town of Killeen, Melanie knew to get back to Austin as soon as possible. Her passion for journalism led her to work as an editor and writer at several newspapers and magazines in Texas, Chicago, and Mexico City. Over the years, Melanie’s inquisitive nature has led her to work in horticulture, historic preservation, interior design, as well as playing bass in a local band. This deeply ingrained interest in bioregionalism, combined with the questioning nature of a reporter, inspires her work, no matter the medium or subject.
CURRICULUM VITAE
EDUCATION
B.F.A. Studio Art, Painting, Spring 2020
Texas State University, San Marcos, Texas
B.S. Family Consumer Science, Interior Design, Spring 2020
Texas State University, San Marcos, Texas
B.A. Liberal Arts, English (major) and American Studies (minor), Fall 1989
The University of Texas at Austin
EXHIBITIONS
Student Juried Exhibition, Texas State University Galleries, July 6-August 6, 2020 by appointment
Curated by Ed Schad, Curator and Publications Manager at The Broad in Los Angeles
B.F.A. Thesis Exhibition, Texas State University, (Online) May 2020- Infinity
https://bfa2020.wp.txstate.edu/melanie-martinez/
Hallway Show, Texas State University, December 5-10, 2019
Curated by Tommy Fitzpatrick, Texas State University, Associate Professor, Studio Art: Painting
PUBLICATIONS
The New Southern Fugitives, "Killer," Vol. 3, Issue 9. March 2020
The New Southern Fugitives, "Affordable Housing," Vol. 3, Issue 6. February 2020
The New Southern Fugitives, "Domino's Delivers," Vol. 3, Issue 1. December 2019
Sunspot Literary Journal, "Saturday in the Park," Vol. 1, Issue 5. December 2019
AWARDS & HONORS
Alpha Chi Honor Society, Feb. 2018 to Present
School of Art & Design Scholarship, Texas State University 2019-2020
INTERNSHIPS
Texas Historical Commission, Courthouse Preservation Program, Austin, Texas, Summer 2019
Researcher, Historic Interior Materials
Serie Project XIV, Coronado Studio, Austin, Texas, Summer 2007
Serigraphy Apprenticeship with Master Printer Sam Coronado