Free-spirited is the best way I can describe myself as well as my life’s choices. I fell in love with photography watching my father develop photos in his dark room. I continue to avidly pursue it and have most recently won the Maryland Federation of Arts "Light and Shadows” 2022 Juror's Choice Award for my photograph, PROWESS.
While living on the Caribbean island of Curacao I attended the Korsou Art Akademy obtaining my diploma in the art of handbuilding with clay. I was featured in local newspapers and held several exhibitions both in Willemstad, Curacao as well as Rome, Italy.
Today I am painting with acrylic, pastels and alcohol inks on canvas, paper and wood. On July 6, 2021 I won The Canson Excellence in Art Award at Cooperstown Art Association's 86th Juried Art Exhibition with my pastel painting THE FLEA MARKET.
About the Artist
Irene V. Martinelli “Art washes away from the soul the dust of everyday life,” said Pablo Picasso. And, so it was with Irene Martinelli. She has spent a lifetime of creativity as a writer, a clay artist, a photographer, and then suddenly something unthinkable happened. She turned 70. With no time to waste she threw herself into freeing her mind of the dust of everyday life. Taking her first pastel class at Georgia O'Keeffe's Ghost Ranch under the tutelage of Anna Koster, former assistant to Georgia O’Keefe, set off a domino effect. She enrolled in art classes, trying diverse mediums and techniques and quickly began to evolve into the person she had always aspired to be…unencumbered and free to paint the colors of her soul...bright and bold. Born in New York, Irene lived more than 40 years abroad, primarily in Italy. She resides in Easton, Maryland. A life well lived.Artist's Statement
My work is bold both in content and color.Featured Work
Photos
