Following Your Heart

I have been an artist my entire life. Ever since I remember I've drawn. I made drawings of my pregnant mom when I was four. I made paper doll castles with my sister because we had just seen Queen Elizabeth's dollhouse in National Geographic Magazine. 

It had not occurred to me that this was my calling. That I was meant to do this. That every single cell in my body was programmed to be an artist. My Dad always told us to never be an artist (he was an artist). He said that we should go into business or real estate. Never be an artist. This was drilled into me. So I went to Law School. Two years in, I couldn't take it anymore and I dropped out. 

I had jobs throughout my life in which I would spend the day waiting for lunch and then the rest of the day waiting for 5 pm and the entire week waiting for Friday and the whole year waiting for my vacation. Those days were miserable. It was like being forced to eat something you hate everyday until you become numb. 

A few years ago I decided that I was going to follow my heart. I was like fuck it, I'm living in regret, what's worse than that? I'm going to follow my dream. I signed up to get my Bachelor Degree in Fine Arts. I was terrified. Excited but scared. This was the first time I was going to put myself first. My dream was becoming a reality. Fast forward to today. I finished my career and became a full time artist. Hours go by like minutes when I'm working. Weeks pass like a breeze and my heart is happy. Still terrified but amazingly joyful. Here's to following your heart. Doesn't matter how scary it is, it's worth it. Your soul will thank you. 

My Sketchbook

I use my sketchbook as a diary of sorts. I like to draw thoughts, worries and dreams. They all come to life on the pages of my sketchbook. Take a look!

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May I Keep Him?

Sometimes when you have been dealing with negative things for a long time and suddenly, everything falls into place, and good things start happening, it's difficult to believe that something positive is actually occurring. It's a moment of disbelief and astonishment. Is this too good to be true? This is what this painting is about. Allowing yourself to receive the good in life.

This girl found a giant, fluffy, pink and white kitty in the darkness and is in disbelief. She is asking, "May I keep him?".

Pink and white kitty closeup.

Close up of this fiery redhead.

The process...

It all started with an idea and a sketch:

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I Want to Protect You

This painting has come from deep within my heart. It is the very first painting I have completed this year. It's a very personal piece. I hope you enjoy it!

Close up of the bear and girl.

Look at all of those stars!

You can see a dark forest in the distance.

It all started with a rough sketch.

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They Came to Protect Her

There comes a time in a girl's life when she becomes a woman. She is strong and brave, ready to jump into life and take risks. She ventures away from the safety of her home and into the wild. When that occurs, women come across all kinds of beings throughout our journey. Sometimes we are lucky enough to come across some that accompany us and are willing to stand by us no matter what. This very special and personal piece is about that encounter, the adventure and magic that life is. Enjoy!

Detail of the girl

Wolves like dogs are loyal companions and fierce protectors. 

The bat in Chinese culture represents happiness. 

It all started with a rough sketch

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The Reading

I'm learning the Tarot and decided to do a personal reading. There are many types of readings one can do. I decided on a simple past, present and future. I would do three paintings of this reading, not an exact copy of the card, but instead, an interpretation of the meaning. In another post I showed you the painting of the "Present" which was a wolf in sheep's clothing. I have now completed the "Past" piece. It is of a woman who cannot see because she is blindfolded and her body is a cage that holds her bleeding heart that has been punctured by sharp arrows. Take a look...

This is the final piece. 

Detail of the heart. 

My process, she initially had eyes that you could see. I decided to cover them. 

The covered eyes. 

Blocking in the color at the beginning. 

Thanks for stopping by! I have also updated my website www.marybelmartin.com check it out!

My Influences

As an artist I am influenced by many incredible artists, I see them as teachers because the more I look at them, the more I learn from them.

There has been another type of artistic influence in my case, my family, we are a family of artists. My Dad, brother and my grandmother all had the artistic gene.  I remember my Mom taught me how to draw a profile, I was about four and I still remember that moment. Here are a few images so that you can see what I'm talking about.

This is my Dad, Abel Reynoso in the 60's in Puebla Mexico when he was featured in Life Magazine

This is a mural my Dad painted for a church in Mexico

This was painted by my grandmother, Maria del Socorro Loya when she was a teenager.

This is the official 1984 Olympics poster painted by my brother, Abel Reynoso Jr.

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A Wolf in Sheep's Clothing

I am learning how to do Tarot readings. The Tarot is a tool to receive otherworldly messages. I did a reading on myself and decided to interpret and paint the reading. It was a simple three card "past, present, future" reading and what was revealed was astonishing! On this post I will show you what my present revealed. "A Wolf in Sheep's Clothing" is the message from the "present" card. It told me to beware and know that not all is what it seems!

Here I am blocking in colors for the underpainting. 

My boys helping me make some stars in the sky. 

The final piece!

Face detail. 

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A Day In the Life of Marybel Martin

A Day in the Life of Marybel Martin is a group of very personal watercolors dedicated to illustrating where my mind is on any given day. Enjoy!

"A Garden in Her Hair" is my dream state, this is when I'm sleeping and recharging. The banner says: Los sueños se hacen realidad si crees en ellos… siempre" - Dreams come true if you believe in them… always.

"The Cleanse" is the daily ritualistic bath and grooming, it's not only physical, it's a mental and spiritual cleanse as well.

"Staying Grounded" Is the balanced, grounded and unattached state that is best for making major decisions. If you look closely, there are two little birds… those are my boys.

"Vipassana" Is meditation, where one is in observation and peace.