A Bakersfield College student, with an extensive interest in art, has grown to develop numerous techniques and mediums by taking the art classes offered on campus.

Juan Martinez, 20, is a second year student with a concentration in creating professional artwork.

Martinez did not grow up loving art like most artists claim. He grew into the love of art by mistake.

“I was not interested in art at first,” said Martinez. “My junior year at Golden Valley High School, I was accidently placed in a beginning art class for an elective as a mistake. I figured I had nothing to lose, so I decided to stay in the class and give it a shot.”

After completing the assignments that were instructed each week, he soon came to realize how he was able to grasp the concepts of art rapidly. While closely observing his classmates in his high school art class, he found himself puzzled by the slow pace of their work. Martinez then used the new techniques he was taught and began taking his time on other assignments in order to give them extra detailing.

“I found myself finishing the assigned work so fast,” said Martinez. “Even though I was done before the majority of the students, my artwork was great in content, which took me by surprise.”

It wasn’t until after those experiences that Martinez found his true talent and interest.

“I then started taking a graphic designs class at the Regional Occupation Center while still in high school,” said Martinez. “I learned about Photoshop, screen printing t-shirts, numerous mediums in art and photography.”

“After realizing how art is in every aspect all around me, I started to plan the route I wanted to follow involving art,” said Martinez. “I found something out about myself and wanted to continue to develop my skills in this artistic life.”

Martinez then graduated high school, although he constantly rallied behind the question of what he wanted to pursue as a career.

“I took a year off to realize what I wanted to do for a living,” said Martinez. “Throughout my time off, I found myself waking up and painting on canvases constantly. I found my answer.”

With no hesitation, Martinez planned to attend BC as an art major student. He soon took numerous classes, which he developed new techniques in new mediums.

Martinez realized his specialties were in large canvas paintings. He would transform the canvases into pieces that leave questioning. At first glance, his paintings leave statements of uncertainty that then become ideal. Martinez does not strive to paint for others’ comfort but to leave a long lasting expression about his work. He enjoys making others wonder about what the theme to all his creations consist of.

“I was asked to showcase five canvases at the former Basement art gallery downtown,” said Martinez. “I was also asked to participate in a multimedia project that involved myself to start a painting on a canvas without prior sketching.”

Martinez is inspired by his own thoughts and wonders. The huge leap in his art growth has resulted into a brand new perspective of viewing his surroundings on a daily basis. Categories within emotion help Martinez expand his creativity in his penmanship; he brings creatures to life on canvases that demonstrate a theme he is feeling at certain points in his life.

“As I am sketching there is no specific way I go by,” said Martinez. “If I see something within the sketch I go with it. There is no right or wrong.”

Martinez created two large canvas paintings to submit in the 2010 Bakersfield College Art Student Exhibition presented in the gallery inside the BC library. Martinez is in high hopes to be selected to showcase the artwork. The paintings are called “Daydreamer” and “Control” both made with acrylic.

“I plan to graduate from BC and transfer to a four year college and receive a masters degree in art,” said Martinez. “I just want to paint for a living. I want to have a studio and be able to be creative with my designated atmosphere.”