We recently had the chance to connect with Angelo Ray Martinez and have shared our conversation below.
Hi Angelo Ray, thank you for taking the time to reflect back on your journey with us. I think our readers are in for a real treat. There is so much we can all learn from each other and so thank you again for opening up with us. Let’s get into it: What are you being called to do now, that you may have been afraid of before?
Over the past few years, I have been called to create sacred art that glorifies God. I had been integrating my Christian faith into my artwork for a while before that, but the work wasn’t necessarily sacred. There are many biases against recognizably religious art in the mainstream “art world”, in which I was primarily involved in. So, I knew I would lose much of my established audience if I started making truly sacred art. However, I eventually felt that the call to serve God through my creative practice was more important than maintaining the artistic success I had achieved before and began creating sacred artworks exclusively.
Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
I am an artist and an Associate Professor of Visual Arts at Holy Cross College, Notre Dame, IN. As an artist and educator, I seek to glorify God by pursuing Truth, Beauty, and Goodness, within my work. I embrace the creativity that the Lord has blessed me with and give it back to him as a sacrificial offering. For me, artmaking is a form of prayer, where I can communicate with God while meditating on the sacred mysteries of my Catholic faith. I work in a variety of media and styles, including Byzantine-inspired iconography (egg tempera and gold leaf), Renaissance-inspired oil paintings, block printing, portraiture, and landscapes. However, all of these artistic approaches are created in the same spirit, as prayerful meditations that give praise to God. I hope to create a profound beauty in my work that captivates the viewer and helps bring them into a closer relationship with our Lord.
Appreciate your sharing that. Let’s talk about your life, growing up and some of topics and learnings around that. Who saw you clearly before you could see yourself?
I believe that God knew me before I ever knew myself and blessed me with the necessary gifts for my vocation as a sacred artist and as an educator in the field of visual arts. Even during the dark times of personal struggle and failure, the Lord has been with me, steadily guiding me to my true purpose.
What did suffering teach you that success never could?
Out of necessity, the darkest moments of personal struggle and suffering have been opportunities to deepen my faith. Through God’s infinite grace and love, the brokenness of our lives can lead to moments of healing and redemption.
Alright, so if you are open to it, let’s explore some philosophical questions that touch on your values and worldview. What’s a belief or project you’re committed to, no matter how long it takes?
I am deeply committed to the belief that art has the transformative power to promote the common good, improve people’s lives, and to make the world a better place. Sacred art has the unique opportunity of bringing the viewer into a closer relationship with God. In June 2025, one of my artworks was permanently installed at St. Therese Little Flower Church in South Bend, IN, in their adoration chapel. The greatest honor of my art career is knowing that at any given moment, someone is looking at that work and praying to God. The thought that my work might help someone grow closer to Our Lord, even in a small way, gives meaning and purpose to my creative practice.
Thank you so much for all of your openness so far. Maybe we can close with a future oriented question. When do you feel most at peace?
I feel the most a peace when I put my faith in the Lord and see his providence working in my life, when I immerse myself in prayer, and when I share the gift of God’s love with my family, students, and community.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.angeloraymartinez.com
- Instagram: @martinez.sacredart
Image Credits
Angelo Ray Martinez
so if you or someone you know deserves recognition please let us know here.
