Meet Jasper Martinez | Printmaker and Nursing Student

We had the good fortune of connecting with Jasper Martinez and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Jasper, what makes you happy? Why?
Matcha and animals! I love matcha everything, matcha tiramisu, matcha lattes, matcha cookies, literally anything matcha flavored. I’m also a huge animal lover, and it’s my dream to be able to save up enough money to open a dog and guinea pig rescue one day. I have three dogs and a hamster. Fun fact: My dad found a small, wet rodent on the side of the road while walking his dog in Echo Park about two years ago, and it turned out to be a hamster. I kept her, and she is still thriving!

Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.
Printmaking is a dying art form, largely due to its labor-intensive nature and the current rise of technology and digital art. Even the printmaking class at my college sometimes gets cancelled because not enough people sign up for it, making it a bit difficult and expensive to print without a studio and purchase the necessary materials, such as copper plates, printmaking paper, and more. It has not been easy to continue creating, especially as my workload in nursing school increases, and I’ve felt disappointed at times when I return home from art markets without selling anything. However, every time I have the opportunity to print or draw something, I’m reminded of how art helps me express myself and represent the queer and trans community that has supported me endlessly.

I first began drawing when I was about 12 to cope with feeling alienated and alone as a trans individual. Creating art introduced me to so many other queer and trans people who made me feel accepted and part of a community. Now, art continues to be a way for me to connect with other people and bond over similar interests that I depict in my artwork, such as my favorite video game, “The Last of Us.”

I took a break from art for a little over a year when I began my prerequisites for nursing school. I found myself feeling lost and like something was missing from my life, so I decided to take a printmaking class for fun at my college. I had no idea what printmaking was, but it ended up reigniting my passion for art, and my professor inspired me to pursue printmaking and art alongside my future career as a registered nurse. I don’t always have time to create, especially with my 13-hour clinicals and multiple nursing classes each week, but when I do, printmaking serves as a break from all my stresses. I’ve learned numerous techniques, from carving linoleum to using acid to etch copper plates, and the endless techniques I’ve yet to learn excite me!

I want the world and everyone reading this to support and respect one another. It can be challenging to be kind to others, especially on days when it feels like the world isn’t being kind to you, but it’s important to make an effort to spread kindness and respect.

Also, respect and take care of wildlife and animals! A lot of my artwork depicts animals because they bring me comfort, and I’ve always had a connection to them, whether it’s a raccoon in my trash bin or one of my dogs. If you have the opportunity and money to do so, rescue an animal! It’s a kindness to them, and I’m sure they’ll inspire you to be your best self.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
It’s hard to pick just a few places to visit because there are so many amazing places to explore near LA.

My perfect day would probably consist of having breakfast at “Waffle Love” in Northridge (tomato soup and grilled cheese) and visiting a bookstore like Barnes & Noble, the Open Book, or Kinokuniya, or one of my favorite art museums, the Norton Simon Museum or the Getty Center. If in the mood to create rather than view art, LA Print Shop and the International Printing Museum offer a bunch of fun workshops on printing and bookbinding! Finally, I’d end the day with a sweet treat from 85 Degrees Bakery, curry from Village Tandoor in Northridge, or street tacos and an agua fresca from any street vendor in LA!

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
I want to dedicate my shoutout to a few individuals. My Dad, Mom, sister, and the many friends who have stopped by the art markets I’ve participated in to say hello and offer their support. My friend Tim, who keeps me company while printing and usually helps me clean my supplies. My friend Dany who inspires me to be a better artist. My partner, Jay, who always accompanies me to sell at events because I’m too nervous to go alone. :3 And lastly, my printmaking professors Naomi Tarle and Michelle Rozic, who taught me about printmaking and reignited my passion for art.

Instagram: jasp_009

Other: Email: jasper.frogee009@gmail.com