Meet Monica Aissa Martinez

 

We recently connected with Monica Aissa Martinez and have shared our conversation below.

Alright, so we’re so thrilled to have Monica Aissa with us today – welcome and maybe we can jump right into it with a question about one of your qualities that we most admire. How did you develop your work ethic? Where do you think you get it from?

I get my work ethic from my parents. Both my mom and dad took pride in who they were, what they did, and how they did it. I grew up in a family of six kids, and my parents were organized and committed. Mom, especially, managed to juggle family, work, and a rich creative life. She couldn’t have done it without Dad—they made a great team.

When it comes to making art, several college professors come to mind. One who stands out is Rachelle Theiwes, my undergraduate metalsmithing instructor. Her teaching was always clear and precise, and her designs were thoughtful, well-executed, and engaging. She may have been the one to lay the foundation for how I approach my own art today.

Thanks, so before we move on maybe you can share a bit more about yourself?

I’m a visual artist with a graduate degree from New Mexico State University, where I focused on Printmaking and Drawing, and an undergraduate degree from the University of Texas at El Paso, where I studied metalsmithing and ceramics. Over the past decade, my work has increasingly bridged the worlds of art and science.

Most of my work revolves around drawing and painting on paper and canvas, with a particular focus on the human form and spirit. I’m fascinated not only by the anatomy and physiology of the body, but also by the symbols and stories it holds. The human body is more than just a physical structure — it carries energy, meaning, metaphor, and a deeper narrative. I’m best known for my mixed-media, life-sized human figures (often based on people I know), through which I aim to evoke both the literal and symbolic aspects of what it means to be human. I often think of the body as a container — a vessel for life.

My long-standing yoga practice and years as a runner have deepened my connection to the body, influencing both my art and my approach to it. I don’t just draw life-sized figures; I’ve also explored individual organs (I’m particularly drawn to the brain!) and the various systems that make up the human body. A few years ago, I became fascinated with the microscopic world, which I began incorporating into my work, adding another layer of exploration. It was only natural to connect with scientists and doctors to gather research and expand my understanding.|

More recently, my focus has broadened to include animals and plants, as I continue to explore life in all its forms—both the physical and the subtle.

I’ve had the privilege of exhibiting my work for several decades, including recent solo exhibitions, and I look forward to continuing this journey. Currently, I’m collaborating with the non-profit organization phICA to create a catalog of my artwork, which will be completed soon.

There is so much advice out there about all the different skills and qualities folks need to develop in order to succeed in today’s highly competitive environment and often it can feel overwhelming. So, if we had to break it down to just the three that matter most, which three skills or qualities would you focus on?

Important things to think about: Who am I? What am I? What is this world? What is my relationship to it?

Curiosity
Working with my hands (making)
Connecting

Perhaps being curious is the easiest of these qualities. Be curious about the world around you – start with the immediate environment and then go for the larger picture. And eventually, with that same curiosity, return to yourself.

Maybe I should qualify working with mind, eyes and hands. Develop your skill for looking and seeing the world around you.

Determine your place in it. Move into it. Be curious, be smart, be kind and be open and creative. Leave something better than you found it.

Before we go, maybe you can tell us a bit about your parents and what you feel was the most impactful thing they did for you?

Earlier, I mentioned that they gave me my work ethic. They introduced me to the arts—museums, theater, music, and books—and taught me to be curious. They also instilled in me the value of critical thinking and helped me develop a sense of my place in the world.

Contact Info:

Image Credits

#1 Tucson Museum of Art
#3 Stephen Edward Kennedy
#8 Stephen Edward Kennedy

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