Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Aileen Martinez. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.
Aileen , so excited to have you with us today. So much we can chat about, but one of the questions we are most interested in is how you have managed to keep your creativity alive.
There are many things that I like to implement in my life to help keep my creativity alive. I greatly enjoy traveling and visiting new places, meeting new people, and placing myself into new experiences. This allows me to see past myself and create new pathways to others that ultimately leads me back to myself. I don’t need to travel far always; visiting new areas in my home state can be enough. Creativity to me is simply finding new ways to problem solve; what that looks like to each individual is part of the fun. I do not wish to be dull and boring. There are so many little things that we can implement into daily life to make things more exciting. Adding these little things and stringing them altogether helps keep that sense of creativity alive and well! I also love keeping a sketchbook and watercolor kit with me at all times so I can draw on location if I wish to do so.
Great, so let’s take a few minutes and cover your story. What should folks know about you and what you do?
My name is Aileen Martinez, also known as Look See Draw. I am an illustrator/artist based in Phoenix, Arizona. I love working with watercolor, gouache, and ink creating images of my city and travels. Drawing has been my full time job for the last three years and the idea never grows old! Being a free lance creative allows me to have the liberty to do of what I enjoy. This did not come easy; I feel extremely grateful to be in this position. I am currently working with the Tucson Museum of Art and illustrating a coloring book for their centennial anniversary. It has been a wonderful experience to work with the museum and all of the wonderful staff there.
If you had to pick three qualities that are most important to develop, which three would you say matter most?
Patience, consistency, curiosity are the top three qualities that I believe to have played a large role in my journey. I have developed higher levels of patience throughout this process. Granted, I am human and fail daily. I lose my patience. Drawing allows me to slow down and see the world in a meticulous manner which leads to patience. I have tried my best to make what a do in a consistent fashion, which has lead to many avenues of opportunity. Keeping a curious, playful spirit is integral to one of my core values; part of my process involves lots of this!
Who has been most helpful in helping you overcome challenges or build and develop the essential skills, qualities or knowledge you needed to be successful?
My late teacher, Ken Bursey. He was a wonderful teacher, mentor, and friend. He helped me become the person that I am today. He was the most inspiring, creative, and curious person I have ever met. Some of the qualities I find most interesting in life were cultivated by him. Bursey invested so much into my life, as well as countless other students and people all throughout the world. He passed from cancer in 2021 and I still think about him daily. I could talk to him about anything, despite our 50 year age gap. I always felt so seen by him and he was brilliant. I don’t believe I would be doing what I do now without his guidance and strong influence in my life.
Contact Info:
- Website: Lookseedraw.com
- Instagram: Look.see.draw
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/lookseedraw/
Image Credits
Image of me painting- Jef Caine
