Ma'Laysia Martin
Martin
Ramón C. Cortines School of Visual and Performing Arts|Los Angeles, CA
TEACHER: LaMoin Garrand
Drawing
![Portrait of woman facing camera with green serpent](/image/8320953.1635432804000/IMG_2.webp)
Serpent|20 x 20 in.
Material(s): -Oil, -Acrylic, -Golf leaf
Process(es): I sketched for the underpainting, continued painting in oil. I painted the background in acrylic.
I wanted to add a more positive representation of Black People in the art world. I was tired of seeing stereotypical pieces. It is a lot of ‘fight the power” and “strong black women/men.” There is a constant picture of us being in “fight or flight” mode. I feel that we shouldn’t be portrayed as strong, restless warriors all the time. We need to rest for the sake of our mental health and self-preservation. We can be gentle and sensitive, too. So I painted us in our most relaxed and happy spaces.
Student statement
Student
statement
The title of this work is Glare and
Serpent. I had to find a way to paint curly hair without too much effort. I didn’t want to put too much detail in the hair and take away from the face. I used oil paint to complete the whole piece. I started with the background first so I didn't have to worry about filling in the edges near the subject when I was painting. This year, I learned that art is a mindset.
Serpent. I had to find a way to paint curly hair without too much effort. I didn’t want to put too much detail in the hair and take away from the face. I used oil paint to complete the whole piece. I started with the background first so I didn't have to worry about filling in the edges near the subject when I was painting. This year, I learned that art is a mindset.
You can’t really force yourself to do it if you’re not in the mood. My teachers taught me how to make an underpainting to give my paintings a more quality look.
The teachers helped me pick a medium that will look best with my style. I advise other AP and Design students to embrace their art journey and not force false images on themselves under the impression that another artist is better than them.
![Student Headshot](/image/8320955.1635432931000/headshot.webp)
Ma'Laysia Martin
![Portrait of woman facing camera wearing a red shir](/image/8320957.1635433006000/IMG_1.webp)
Glare|11 x 14 in
Material(s): -Oil
Process(es): I sketched out the fi gure for the underpainting and continued painting in oil.
Teacher
statement
LaMoin Garrard
Ma'Laysia Martin