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

Hi Cee, is there something you can share with us that those outside of the industry might not be aware of?
It’s easy. Like… show up, set up, and sell. Most of the work is putting in the work to appear where you’ve signed up to appear, put forth a product that you can be enthusiastic about and just sell it.

Many get caught up comparing themselves to others or to what they wish their work looked like and they miss out on the genuine compliments from potential buyers and how pleased they are with your creations.

They miss out on how approachable and easy it is to find a gallery or an art co-op to join, or how easy it is to find a non juried art show to hang in.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
The art I create is purely for kicks. I like to create art that I could imagine myself buying.

One of my favorite pastimes is buying art from my friends. The act of creating art is partly me imagining and hoping it’s something one of my friends might want to have in their life.

I found little difficulty in breaking into the Denver Art world. This is due to my eagerness to take people up on their offers of guidance and help. Gallery shows often have very simple entry guidelines.

What I would recommend to any new artist wanting to get their foot in the door would be to be very open to guidance and suggestion. In general, artists in Denver are very happy to help each other and all one needs to do is ask.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
Denver might not be a big city but it’s pretty fun for a day out. Food and drink flow like wine here and kicking it for live jazz at Appaloosa on 16th st or piano karaoke at Charlie Brown’s is always a good time. Pints is also a great pub if you’re craving something from the establishment’s world class selection of single malts.

The Denver Art Museum is quite a posh place for art but we also have more than a few galleries that host and nurture local art. Check out Spectra Art Space 1836 S. Broadway, Denver Art Society 734 Santa Fe Drive or sneak down in Lakewood and check out Pasternacks Art Hub which hosts a handful of lovely galleries.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
There are many creatives and mentors that took the time to encourage and host my art over the last ten years in Denver. Corrina Crazie Espinosa at Good Thieves Press, the crew Don, John and Shellie-Bee at Megafauna, Curtis Tucker with Stuff on Walls all mentored and encouraged me along the way.

Denver Art Society has been a fun roller coaster to showcase art and a very easy to navigate space to host one’s art year round.

Josh Miller has been an every day inspiration encouraging me to exercise my art, writing, and musical skills every day ! His artwork flows !!

A huge shoutout to Spectra Art Space which really opened my world to how fun it was to showcase art in a woman friendly woman owned space ! Sadie Young and Kayla Smith have toiled tirelessly over the years and through the pandemic to keep Spectra alive as a small business and give opportunity to artists small and large, local and international!

Website: Www.Ceemartinezart.com

Instagram: Www.instagram.com/peeriebarra

Facebook: Www.facebook.com/authorceemartinez

Image Credits
Josh Miller

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