Suzanne Martino:  mixed media

I have lived on the central coast of California for 25 years. It is an environment rich in natural beauty that has inspired and supported my creative process. The eclectic quality of my work reflects the exposure I've had to art, nature and spirituality within my home community as well as from my travels. I refer to my work as collassemblage a self-coined phrase because it has elements of both mediums. I work on canvas and use acrylic paints and finishes, semi precious gemstones, minerals, beads, found objects and original photo reproductions to tell my stories. My figures are often derived from ancient forms and I particularly enjoy finding unifying combinations between unlikely objects. Sometimes a theme for a piece of work will come as a phrase that passes through my mind or from an experience that I want to find a visual expression for. Other times an idea may arise from an accidental arrangement of some beads and minerals lying on a table. I consider myself an arranger. Many of my pieces begin with an observance of objects and a reflection on the ways in which they relate to each other. It is my opinion that part of the creative process involves having vision: the ability to see the possibility and potential in the materials you work with. One of my favorite materials is what I refer to as "street metal." These are pieces of found metal, often picked up when I am cycling, which have been changed in some way due to exposure to the elements and contact with foot and vehicle traffic. I am fascinated by the relationships that are created when these found pieces along with other utilitarian objects such as hardware are put in proximity with materials considered more "valuable." A washer from the hardware store arranged with semi precious gemstones becomes an angelic halo of light or a chest shield for a guardian. The utilitarian quality takes on an expression of beauty. The interpretation is altered by placement. My current work reflects an interest in the sacred, a fascination for the part of us that longs for the mythic, and a contemplation on the true nature of happiness.