He thinks big: Scape Martinez, artist, writer, and entrepreneur

    

Scape Martinez had no idea that last year, a publishing company was watching him with the intent to offer him a book deal.  While working on a public art project at Stanford’s law school, Scape posted his progress on his website, where Impact Books found him.  The Art and Technique of Graffiti is the result, a book that explains what these “prophets with spray cans” are doing.  Part history (for example, ancient Egyptians, Vikings and Mayans all participated in graffiti), part explanation, and part how-to, Scape’s book takes the reader through letter styles, backgrounds, value and contrast, with an emphasis on safety and staying within the law.

Originally from Newark, New Jersey, Scape Martinez grew up in San Jose, a self-described “geeky kid” who got straight As at school but was a graffiti artist on the side.  “I always knew I was an artist, but I had to convince the rest of the world.”  A voracious reader, he considers himself self-educated, a student of the public library system.  “I support all forms of education, whether formal or not,” he says.  His interests in art and literature range from comic book artists Stan Lee, John Burns, and Futura 2000 to the New York school of abstract expressionism: Franz Kline, Jackson Pollock, Mark Rothko, and especially Willem de Kooning, as well as the pop artist James Rosenquist, who creates wall-sized paintings.  Scape also reads classics, including sacred texts such as the Bible and the Torah.   

As a writer and artist, Scape’s work connects on many levels; as an entrepreneur, he takes his combined talents out into the world.  Focus is important; Scape’s interests pull him in many directions, so he disciplines himself to drill down in specific areas.  He has very clear ideas of his abilities and of the negative stereotypes that often burden artists.  It takes time for an artist to achieve balance in art and work.  “I’ve done all kinds of odd jobs.  The Cinderella story is very unlikely.  However, someone from the 408 area code can slowly build a career that arcs upward, so that by the time you’re forty or fifty you can sell your work through a variety of means – that’s much more realistic.  I’d like my path to mirror someone like Willem de Kooning’s, who didn’t hit his peak until he was well into his 60s and 70s.  And died with his boots on!”  The fine arts career is a lot like a football career, he notes – three years of stardom, then the young artist or athlete crashes to earth.  Scape is in it for the long haul. 

In addition to his visual art, Scape was a teacher at the Santa Clara County Shelter, teaching art to abused and neglected children.  He noticed children drawing and writing graffiti-like patterns, and an idea formed.  Why not use the techniques of graffiti to help reach these kids?  Scape’s methods were so successful that he posted some of his lesson plans on his blog.  He is realistic about how much his teaching can accomplish: “the goal of teaching art, as I see it, is to create a more well-rounded person, not the next Picasso.”  Scape has since taught children and teens from all over Santa Clara County, from the Eastside to Saratoga.  “Interest in graffiti transcends socioeconomics and demographics.” 

Recently, Scape completed a major design at the Roosevelt Community Center in San Jose, convincing the famous muralist Judy Baca (SPARC) to get involved.  “I told her, ‘I have an idea.’”  That statement alone got the conversation rolling.   

“Never give up,” Scape advises.  “You might have to turn a few times, go underground, even walk away from a few things. Everything can change, so never give up but never stop growing.  Creativity takes many forms.  Let your creativity guide you.  Your ego has to get out of your own way.  The greater society has illusions about the life of an artist, which are totally false.  Art, for me, is about sharing, not trophies.”