Papa Martini Art

My store is a re-invention, revival of my life. Born in Spanish Harlem in New York City, this American of Puerto Rican/Venezuelan descent was surrounded by creative people. Growing up for a time in the ‘hood, one uncle was a chef who also loved the timbales, a cousin played trumpet, grandma played guitar, momma painted and acted, dad directed and drank. Music was always playing. Levittown drew us out to Long Island and the suburbia of the 1950’ and 60’s. Mid sixties saw us moving down the coast to the Washington DC area where High School Band was the order of the day. I joined the US Army in 1971, left in 1978 with an Honorable Discharge. Those were strange times. Many who could not afford to go to college were drafted by the US Selective Service System through a lottery system based upon your 19th birthday. When I was eligible, my number was 40. I was certain to be drafted. Most draftees became infantry which usually meant the front lines of the Vietnam Jungles were to be your destination. I enlisted, chose a long training program in the Signal School which delayed my first assignment until late 1972. Yes, I lost a friend or more to the war. And it did change me even though I did not serve in any active campaigns. Today, I am a 35 years married, unemployed, Vietnam Era US Army Veteran, a York-a-rican Texan, a triple bypass survivor, Republican, Christian. I celebrate my 64th birthday in December. Izzy, my wife, and I have two grown children and one child waiting for us in Heaven. That is another story about which to write at some future date. I draw doodles. I sketch. I paint. My recent painting began at Houston Community College in Spring 2007. After surviving an October 2008 triple bypass, employment was ended. And so I paint. My art is for sale as I make my way through my sixties with the probability of never being employed again. Your generous support is appreciated. Be blessed. You can also support me here: http://www.patreon.com/stevemartinez