Fernanda Martinez
Home is a verb
Exhibition from September 4th - September 31st, 2026
Come celebrate the kick off of this exhibition at September's First Friday event!
September 4th, 2026
5:00 - 8:30 PM
Minnow Art Gallery
204 Locust St, Santa Cruz, CA 94566
For September’s First Friday, Minnow Arts is presenting the work of Oakland based artist, Fernanda Martinez! Her exhibit, Home is a verb, will feature new works in painting and sculpture.
If you miss the event, don't worry. All of Fernanda's art will remain on display until the end of the month!
Artist Statement:
My work explores nature and the city as interdependent systems, constantly shaping and adapting to one another. As my practice continues to evolve, one idea keeps emerging: the desire to connect people and places by representing familiar spaces, their surroundings, and the human relationships that exist within them.
For Home is a verb, I created a new body of work that is centered on experimentation using various found and recycled materials. These reused materials carry traces of use, time, and adaptation, echoing the ways natural systems persist and evolve within urban environments. Through an intuitive process, materials are combined, layered, and reconfigured, allowing forms to emerge through response rather than predetermined outcomes.
The ideas of place, belonging, and the relationship between people and the spaces they inhabit play an active role in shaping this work. By inviting personal connections to familiar environments, I hope viewers become part of this exchange, encountering the works as evolving forms that encourage reflection, conversation, and a renewed sense of connection to the places they call their own.
About the Artist - from her website
Fernanda Martínez is an Oakland based painter and muralist, She draws from her memories and observations of nature, blending an experimental and intuitive approach to her practice. Her vibrant, expressive works delve into the emotional depths of color and form. By incorporating intricate patterns and textures, she challenges the viewer, engaging both the eye and the mind, and encouraging them to appreciate the fleeting moments of life.
Recently, Fernanda has expanded her practice to include sculpture, experimenting with various materials to transform her distinctive shapes and mastery of color into captivating 3D pieces. She has exhibited her paintings and sculptures throughout galleries.
Born and raised in Mexico City, Fernanda moved to the Bay Area in 2015 where she founded La Tinta. Under this name, she collaborated with brands such as Anthropologie, Lulu and Georgia, World Market by licensing her work for a variety of products.
Fernanda has collaborated on numerous mural projects for private companies, commercial businesses, and nonprofit organizations. In addition to her commercial work, she has successfully contributed artwork to several community-focused and affordable housing developments.
