Hello, It's My Pleasure to Meet You
Source: VoyageMia
Today we’d like to introduce you to Martha Solorzano.
Martha, before we jump into specific questions about your work, why don’t you give us some details about you and your story. I am an actor/producer/writer who around 2008 was living in LA, pretty broke. It was then that I started painting. After the first time, I could not stop. I would stay up painting until the wee hours and wake up to keep painting. I posted my paintings on FB and people loved them. From there, I got invited to exhibit in NY, and I did.
When I moved back to Miami I wanted to show my paintings, but it’s hard to get into galleries in Miami without having to “rent” a wall, (super expensive) and then on top of that, pay a commission. So, I took matters into my own hands. I went out and bought the largest moving truck, and converted it into a moving art gallery. I built walls, shelves, one side of windows, like a storefront, put in electricity, got the permits (a nightmare), and went out the first time during Art Basel Week, and parked right in front of Red Dot and Spectrum and I sold two pieces!
Although it sounds easy, it is everything but. It’s extremely hard work, and constantly a learning experience on the market, locations, what people buy, what they like, etc. I now have a website, do art shows at big exhibits like Art Expo NY, Red Dot, pop-ups at West Elm, Charities, etc.
The mobile art gallery is still there. It is so beautiful, that I feel that it is an installation for itself. It’s a great marketing tool, and advertising tool for upcoming shows, exhibits, lead generation, etc.
I love taking the art to the people. It’s incredible how many people come in because it is absolutely cool.
Big plans for 2020!
By the way, that is the reason my art gallery is named A Truckload Of Art Gallery. Because it all started out of this amazing idea, of making the gallery mobile.
Great, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome? It’s never a smooth road. We were the first ones and I think, still the only ones in South Florida, with this concept. There was no name for this kind of business, so no license for it, etc.
One can not just park anywhere. We need to pay, and in many cases, let the police know that we will be at a certain location, and that requires money. Money is always the issue.
You need a permit for everything. In fact I was shut down a few times, because I thought I had all the permits, but I guess I did not.
We’d love to hear more about your work. I am an actor. I have been acting since eight grade. I graduated from Boston University with a degree in Fine Arts. Then I kept studying filmmaking etc. So people knew me, as an actor.
I love all art. I love movie making, but I also love painting and the business of movies and art. I love to combine all of this creativity and business ideas and experience I have, from working for other companies, and put it to work in A Truckload Of Art Gallery. The difference between me and all the other art galleries is that I take the art to the people. I make it accessible.
With my mobile art gallery, I can exhibit new work, advertise, sell, meet and talk to new people, I love that. The space is so great, that it can be used for any and all art, for example performing art, live art, visual art. I love it so much.
As far as my paintings, I am influenced by Picasso’s period of cubism, and surrealism and De Kooning’s abstract expressionism. I love Klimt, Lempicka, Schiele, Da Vinci, Botticelli, all of them. Although, if I really think about it, I am influenced by everything I see, smell, hear. I'm constantly learning and absorbing. Sometimes I like to paint biomorphic shapes and ambiguously blend figure and ground in my paintings. I am an admirer of beauty, so I paint the female form as the mother of the universe, and nature meshed into one. My art is constantly changing and has morphed through the years to a more figurative style and melodic lines. But who knows, maybe tomorrow I will feel like punching the canvas with my brushes and paint, and another style will have emerged. I paint what I need to express.
Marlene- Oil on Canvas
Marcella And The Pelican- Acrylic on Canvas
Tell us about your favorite and least favorites things about our city. I love the feel of Miami and all of South Florida. The different cultures and languages one hears and sees every single day. It’s fantastic. I love the fusion of music and food that comes out of Miami. I love the colors of the sky, and how green the trees are. The smell of the beach is heaven. I love the laughter of the people in Miami. They are always happy.
I really dislike the traffic and how people drive here. It is the worst in the entire country.
One more thing before we part:
Besides being an artist, I am a woman entrepreneur. It would help so much, if some art lovers, or strong women lovers, would go to the website and sign up for our mailing list, follow us on social media and/or share our art and/our business. Cheerleading goes a long way. And in advance, thank you!!!!
Contact Info:
Website: www.atruckloadofart.com
Email: msolo@atruckloadofart.com
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/atruckloadofart/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/atruckloadofart