 |
|||||
 |
|||||
Ernest J. T. Martin (1927–2015) lived a life that most people only read about in novels. Professional matador. Published author and poet. Patented inventor. But above all, he was a painter whose work pulses with the same raw energy that once drove him into bullrings across Mexico, Spain, and France. Martin's journey began remarkably early—his first solo exhibition was at age seven. But it was his years facing down thousand-pound bulls that truly shaped his artistic vision. The intensity, the split-second decisions, the dance between life and death—all of this found its way onto his canvases in bold strokes and fearless color choices. His paintings don't whisper; they speak directly to something deep within the viewer. Martin believed that we are all spiritual beings, and his art serves as a bridge to that understanding. These aren't paintings you glance at and move on from—they demand attention, provoke reaction, and often leave people fundamentally changed. Working with vibrant palettes and dynamic compositions, Martin captured moments that feel both intimate and universal. His brushwork carries the same confident decisiveness he once needed in the ring, yet his subjects reveal a profound tenderness for the human experience. Whether depicting a quiet moment of reflection or an explosion of emotion, his work connects with viewers on a level that bypasses the intellectual and goes straight to the heart. Martin understood that true art does more than decorate walls, it transforms lives. His paintings continue to challenge, comfort, and inspire, proving that an artist's greatest legacy lies not in critical acclaim, but in the moments of recognition that spark between painting and viewer. This exhibition celebrates an artist who lived fully and painted fearlessly, whose work deserves far wider recognition than it has received. Martin's paintings are waiting to find their next viewers—those who are ready to be moved, challenged, and ultimately changed by encountering them. |
|||||
Ode to Picasso |
|||||
 |
|||||
Falling Angel |
|||||
West Galleries |
|
||||
| 300 South Thomas Street , Pomona, CA 91766 | |||||
|
|||||
